JP2014086649A - Thermoelectric conversion module - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a thermoelectric conversion module capable of securing the flatness of top and bottom faces even when a tube body for a compressive fluid to flow has a reduced wall thickness.SOLUTION: The thermoelectric conversion module comprises: a cylindrical tube body 11 used for a compressive fluid to flow; a high temperature side electrode part disposed on each of the top face and the bottom face sides of the tube body and electrically insulated from the tube body; a thermoelectric conversion element disposed on the high temperature side electrode part; a low temperature side electrode part disposed on the thermoelectric conversion element; and a case member 15 for accommodating the tube body, the high temperature side electrode part, the thermoelectric conversion element, and the low temperature side electrode part. The thermoelectric conversion module is configured in such a way that, in a non-formation region of the thermoelectric conversion element in a direction almost perpendicular to the passage direction of the compressive fluid, the upper tube wall and/or the lower tube wall of the tube body has a depressed rib 23 formed so as to touch the upper tube wall and/or the lower tube wall of the tube body, and that the high temperature side electrode part and/or the low temperature side electrode part include a bridge-shaped electrode 25 formed so as to stretch over a recess which is formed as a result of the rib.

Description

  The present invention relates to a thermoelectric conversion module using, as a heat source, waste heat of a compressive fluid such as exhaust gas from various industrial equipment and automobiles.

  In the conventional thermoelectric conversion module, electrodes are arranged on the upper and lower surfaces of a plurality of p-type thermoelectric semiconductors and n-type thermoelectric semiconductors, that is, on the surface on the high-temperature heat source side and on the surface on the low-temperature heat source side. A structure having an electrical insulating plate such as ceramics on both outer sides is generally used.

  On the other hand, in recent years, in the thermoelectric conversion module, it has been attempted to use waste heat of a compressive fluid such as exhaust gas from various industrial equipment and automobiles as a high-temperature heat source (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). .

  In order to receive heat efficiently from the compressive fluid, the tube body through which the compressive fluid of the thermoelectric conversion module flows, that is, the tube wall of the exhaust tube, is preferably thin. However, when the tube wall of the tube body is thinned, the tube wall is deformed, so that the tube wall cannot be thinned. For this reason, the heat receiving from a compressive fluid worsened, and there existed a problem that the electric power generation efficiency of the said thermoelectric conversion module will fall.

  Furthermore, since the tube has a temperature distribution, the thermoelectric conversion module may not be expanded uniformly and may be broken.

JP 2007-221895 JP 2010-245265 A

  In the thermoelectric conversion module, even when the tubular body through which the compressive fluid flows is thinned, the tubular body is prevented from being deformed and broken, and in particular, the flatness of the upper and lower surfaces on which the thermoelectric conversion elements are arranged is improved. It is an object of the present invention to provide a thermoelectric conversion module with high practicality that can be ensured and uses waste heat of a compressive fluid such as exhaust gas from various industrial equipment and automobiles as a heat source.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides:
A tubular tube for flowing a compressive fluid;
A high temperature side electrode portion disposed on each of an upper surface side and a lower surface side of the tube body and electrically insulated from the tube body;
A thermoelectric conversion element in which at least a pair of a p-type thermoelectric semiconductor and an n-type thermoelectric semiconductor are electrically connected in series on the high temperature side electrode portion;
On the thermoelectric conversion element, a low-temperature side electrode portion that electrically connects the p-type thermoelectric semiconductor and the n-type thermoelectric semiconductor in series;
A case member for housing the tubular body, the high temperature side electrode portion, the thermoelectric conversion element, and the low temperature side electrode portion so as to provide a gap for flowing a refrigerant between the low temperature side electrode portion and With
In the non-formation region of the thermoelectric conversion element, at least one of the upper tube wall and the lower tube wall of the tubular body is the lower tube of the tubular body in a direction substantially perpendicular to the flow direction of the compressive fluid. Forming a rib indented to contact at least one of the wall and the upper tube wall;
At least one of the high temperature side electrode part and the low temperature side electrode part includes a bridge-like electrode formed so as to straddle a recess formed due to the rib, and relates to a thermoelectric conversion module.

  According to the present invention, for example, at least one of the upper tube wall and the lower tube wall of the thermoelectric conversion module that flows a compressive fluid such as exhaust gas from various industrial equipment and automobiles, etc. A rib is formed to be recessed so as to contact at least one of the tube wall and the upper tube wall. Therefore, even when the tubular body is thinned and the heat of the compressive fluid flowing through the tubular body is efficiently transferred to the thermoelectric conversion elements disposed on the upper and lower surfaces of the tubular body, the ribs are formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the tubular body. Since it comes to function as a support member, the rigidity of the tube can be kept high.

  The rib is formed by constricting the side to be brought into contact with at least one of the lower tube wall and the upper tube wall of the tube body to form the top of the bent portion, and is in contact with the lower tube wall and the upper tube wall of the tube body. The side that does not contact is recessed so that it opens, and the recessed portion can be left as a space, or the side that makes contact with at least one of the lower and upper tube walls of the tube is narrowed and bent. Construct the top of the part, and dent so that the side that does not contact the lower tube wall and upper tube wall of the tube is closed, the both side walls of the rib are in contact and in close contact, so that no space remains in the recessed part You can also In this case, since the strength of the rib in the latter form is increased, the rigidity of the tubular body can be kept higher.

  As a result, deformation of the upper and lower surfaces of the tubular body can be suppressed, and the flatness of the upper and lower surfaces can be improved. For this reason, the high temperature side electrode portion can be brought into close contact with the upper and lower surfaces of the tubular body, and further, the thermoelectric conversion element can be brought into close contact with the high temperature side electrode portion, so even when the tubular body is thinned, The heat of the compressive fluid flowing through the tube can be efficiently transferred.

  On the other hand, when ribs are formed on the tubular body, p-type semiconductor elements and n-type semiconductor elements that form thermoelectric conversion elements on the upper and lower surfaces of the tubular body on the rib non-formation regions, that is, on both sides centered on the ribs. And a high temperature side electrode portion and a low temperature side electrode portion for electrically connecting the p-type semiconductor element and the n-type semiconductor element in series so as to straddle the rib.

  In this case, since the high temperature side electrode part is in direct contact with the pipe body, it is easily affected by the heat of the compressive fluid flowing in the pipe body. Due to the thermal expansion of the side electrode portion, stress concentration occurs particularly in the vicinity of the rib, which may be partially broken or damaged. Therefore, the generated current may not be extracted from the entire thermoelectric conversion element disposed on the tube.

  However, in the present invention, the high temperature side electrode portions are arranged separately on both sides of the rib, and the two divided high temperature side electrode portions are connected by a bridge-like electrode so as to straddle the rib. The bridge-like electrode can be composed of, for example, a thin plate, a leaf spring-like electrode member, a copper wire, a copper stranded wire, etc., so that it is rich in flexibility, and even when the high temperature side electrode portion expands as described above, The bridge electrode can be easily deformed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent damage such as partial tearing of the high temperature side electrode portion due to stress concentration due to thermal expansion of the high temperature side electrode portion. As a result, the problem that it becomes impossible to take out the produced | generated electric current from the whole thermoelectric conversion element arrange | positioned on a tubular body can be avoided.

  In addition, since the bridge-like electrode constitutes a part of the high temperature side electrode portion, in the present invention, it is included in the constituent elements of the high temperature side electrode portion.

  In an example of the present invention, the high-temperature side electrode portion has a three-layer structure of a first metal layer / insulating layer / second metal layer that are sequentially stacked, and the bridge-shaped electrode is electrically connected to the second metal layer. Can be formed so as to be connected to each other.

  The high temperature side electrode portion is disposed so as to be electrically insulated from the tube body. However, since the tube body and the high temperature side electrode portion are generally made of a metal body, insulation is provided between the tube body and the high temperature side electrode portion. If the body (insulating layer) is placed directly, the adhesion (bonding) between the insulator and the tube is particularly poor, and a gap is formed between them to sufficiently transfer heat from the tube to the high-temperature side electrode. May not be able to be done.

  However, with the three-layer structure as described above, the first metal layer located in the first layer comes into contact with the tubular body, but both are made of a metal body, so the adhesion between them is (Jointability) is improved and no gap is formed between them. Therefore, the heat transfer from the tubular body to the high temperature side electrode portion is improved.

  In the case where the high temperature side electrode portion has a three-layer structure as described above, the bridge electrode is connected to the second metal layer located at the uppermost layer. As a result, it is possible to more effectively prevent breakage such as partial tearing of the high temperature side electrode portion due to stress concentration due to thermal expansion of the high temperature side electrode portion.

  As described above, according to the present invention, in the thermoelectric conversion module, even when the tubular body through which the compressive fluid flows is thinned, the upper and lower surfaces that prevent deformation and breakage of the tubular body and in particular arrange the thermoelectric conversion element. Therefore, it is possible to provide a practical thermoelectric conversion module that uses waste heat of a compressive fluid such as exhaust gas from various industrial equipment and automobiles as a heat source.

It is a perspective view showing roughly an example of a thermoelectric conversion module of an embodiment. It is sectional drawing along the II line of the thermoelectric conversion module shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing along the II-II line of the thermoelectric conversion module shown in FIG. It is a figure which expands and shows the rib vicinity of the thermoelectric conversion module shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the manufacture example of the tubular body of the thermoelectric conversion module shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, the details and other features of the thermoelectric conversion module of the present invention will be described based on embodiments.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing an example of the thermoelectric conversion module of the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the thermoelectric conversion module shown in FIG. 1, taken along line II, and FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of the thermoelectric conversion module shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing the vicinity of the rib of the thermoelectric conversion module shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the thermoelectric conversion module 10 includes a tubular tube body 11 having a flat upper surface 11 </ b> A and a lower surface 11 </ b> B for flowing a compressive fluid. In the tube body 11, the upper wall surface 11 </ b> C of the tube body 11 is recessed downward at substantially the center, and a rib 23 is formed in contact with the lower wall surface 11 </ b> D of the tube body 11. In other words, the ribs 23 are formed in the tube body 11 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the flow direction of the compressive fluid.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the tubular body 11 having the ribs 23 described above prepares an upper member 21 </ b> X in which a concave portion (groove portion) 23 </ b> X is formed on an outer wall surface that forms a rear rib in a substantially central portion. At the same time, a flat plate-like lower member 21Y is prepared, and these members can be formed by welding or the like at locations indicated by circles in the drawing.

  In the present embodiment, the rib 23 is formed at the substantially central portion of the tubular body 11, but it is sufficient if it is formed at any location on the upper surface 11 </ b> A or the lower surface 11 </ b> B of the tubular body 11. However, by forming the tube body 11 in the vicinity of the central portion, the effects of the ribs 23 can be more effectively exhibited as described below.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the upper wall surface 11C of the tube body 11 is recessed downward and abuts against the lower wall surface 11D of the tube body 11 to form the rib 23. The ribs may be formed by being recessed toward the top and contacting the upper wall surface 11C of the tube body 11. Furthermore, at the same time that the upper wall surface 11C of the tubular body 11 is recessed downward, the lower wall surface 11D is recessed upward, and the ribs can also be formed by contacting these recessed portions with each other. Even in this case, by forming the rib in the vicinity of the central portion of the tubular body 11, the effect of the rib can be more effectively exhibited as described below.

  In FIG. 2, the rib 23 has a structure in which the upper wall surface 11 </ b> C side of the tubular body 11 is opened and a space is formed in the rib 23. It is also possible to make a structure in which the above-described space is not formed by contact and close contact. In this case, since the strength of the ribs 23 is further improved, the effects of the ribs can be more effectively exhibited as described below.

  On the upper surface 11 </ b> A and the lower surface 11 </ b> B of the tube body 11, high-temperature side electrode portions 12 and 12 that are electrically insulated from the tube body 11 are disposed on both sides of the rib 23. The divided high temperature side electrode portions 12 and 12 are electrically connected by a bridge electrode 25 formed so as to straddle the rib 23.

  In addition, on the divided high temperature side electrode portions 12 and 12, the p-type thermoelectric semiconductor 131 and the n-type thermoelectric semiconductor 132 are arranged in a matrix so as to be adjacent to each other except for the formation region of the ribs 23. In addition, thermoelectric conversion elements 13 and 13 that are electrically connected in series by the divided high-temperature side electrode parts 12 and 12 are disposed. Furthermore, on the thermoelectric conversion elements 13, 13, low temperature side electrode portions 14, 14 that electrically connect the p-type thermoelectric semiconductor 131 and the n-type thermoelectric semiconductor 132 in series are disposed.

  The tube 11, the high temperature side electrode parts 12 and 12, the thermoelectric conversion elements 13 and 13, and the low temperature side electrode parts 14 and 14 are accommodated in a case member 15 that is kept airtight, and the low temperature side electrode parts 14 and 14 and Between the case member 15, an upper wall surface 15 </ b> A of the case member 15 (thermoelectric conversion module 20) and a refrigerant introduction port 18 and a discharge port 19 provided outside the case member 15 (thermoelectric conversion module 10). A space 16 is formed in the space formed by the lower wall surface 15B for introducing and discharging the refrigerant to cool the low temperature side electrode portions 14 and 14 (see FIG. 3).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, on the side of the air gap 16 facing the refrigerant inlet 18 and outlet 19, cooling for efficiently transmitting cold heat from the refrigerant to the low temperature side electrode portions 14, 14. Fins 16A are provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the case member 15 accommodates the high temperature side electrode portions 12 and 12, the thermoelectric conversion elements 13 and 13, and the low temperature side electrode portions 14 and 14 in the section taken along the line II-II. In addition, the portion where the gap 16 for flowing the coolant is formed is the thickest, and is configured to be thinned stepwise from the portion toward the outside.

  Moreover, the space which accommodated the high temperature side electrode parts 12 and 12, the thermoelectric conversion elements 13 and 13 and the low temperature side electrode parts 14 and 14 of the case member 15 is evacuated and kept in a vacuum state.

  The high temperature side electrode portions 12 and 12 are in contact with the upper surface 21A and the lower surface 21B of the tube body 11, and the lower wall surface 15B that opposes the upper wall surface 15A that forms a space for flowing the coolant of the case member 15. Although the low temperature side electrode portions 14 and 14 are in contact with each other, either one may be joined with a brazing material or the like.

  At this time, the lower wall 15B of the case member 15 pressurizes the thermoelectric conversion elements 13 and 13 by evacuating the space containing the thermoelectric conversion elements 13 and 13 and the above-mentioned contact portion has a close adhesion. improves.

  It should be noted that a buffer material, a spare material, and the like are provided between the upper surface 11A and the lower surface 11B of the tubular body 11 and the high temperature side electrode portions 12 and 12 and the lower wall surface 15B of the case member 15 and the low temperature side electrode. It can also be disposed so as to be sandwiched between the portions 14 and 14.

  Furthermore, in the case member 15 (thermoelectric conversion module 10), electrode terminals 17 and 17 for taking out the current generated in the thermoelectric conversion elements 13 and 13 to the outside are provided via the lead wires (not shown). 13 is electrically connected.

  In the thermoelectric conversion module 10 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a compressive fluid such as exhaust gas from various industrial equipment and automobiles is introduced into the tube body 11, and the upper surface 11 </ b> A of the tube body 11 is exhausted by waste heat of the compressive fluid. The lower surface 11B is heated. On the other hand, a refrigerant is introduced into the gap 16 of the case member 15. The heat which heated the upper surface 11A and the lower surface 11B of the pipe body 11 is transmitted to the lower part of the thermoelectric conversion elements 13 and 13 via the high temperature side electrode parts 12 and 12, and the lower part of the thermoelectric conversion elements 13 and 13 is heated. On the other hand, cold heat from the refrigerant introduced into the gap 16 is transmitted to the upper side of the thermoelectric conversion elements 13 and 13 via the low temperature side electrode portions 14 and 14, and cools the upper portions of the thermoelectric conversion elements 13 and 13.

  As a result, an electromotive force is generated in the thermoelectric conversion elements 13 and 13 by the Seebeck effect, and the p-type thermoelectric semiconductor 131 and the n-type thermoelectric semiconductor 132 constituting the thermoelectric conversion elements 13 and 13 are electrically connected in series by this electromotive force. Through the high temperature side electrode portions 12 and 12 and the low temperature side electrode portions 14 and 14 connected to the thermoelectric conversion elements 13 and 13, current flows through the lead wire (not shown). The electrode terminals 17 and 17 are taken out of the thermoelectric conversion module 10.

  The tubular body 11 has sufficient rigidity even when it is thinned as will be described below, and flows a compressive fluid such as exhaust gas from various industrial equipment and automobiles, and corrosive gas contained in the compressive fluid. For example, stainless steel is used.

  The high temperature side electrode portions 12 and 12 and the low temperature side electrode portions 14 and 14 are required to exhibit excellent heat resistance and mechanical strength and relatively high conductivity. For example, Mo, Cu, W, Ti, Ni And alloys thereof or stainless steel. The electrode terminals 17 and 17 can also be made of the same material.

  The bridge-like electrode 25 is preferably made of a flexible electrode material such as a thin plate, a leaf spring-like electrode member, a copper wire, or a copper stranded wire.

  The p-type thermoelectric semiconductor 131 and the n-type thermoelectric semiconductor 132 constituting the thermoelectric conversion elements 13 and 13 are made of a material having low thermal conductivity, obtaining a large temperature difference between the high temperature side and the low temperature side, and generating a large potential difference by the Seebeck effect. For example, it is made of a semiconductor material such as Bi—Te, Pb—Te, Si—Ge, or Mg—Si.

  The case member 15 is made of, for example, Mg, Al, Mo, Cu, W, Ti, Ni, Fe, and stainless steel from the viewpoints of weight reduction, corrosion resistance, and rigidity of various industrial equipment and automobiles on which the thermoelectric conversion module 10 is mounted. Or it can comprise from these alloys.

  In addition, the lead wire demonstrated below which is not shown in figure can be comprised from an electrical good conductor, for example, Cu, Ag, Au, Ni, Fe, these alloys, etc.

  The electromotive force, that is, the thermoelectric conversion efficiency described above increases as the temperature difference between the upper and lower sides of the thermoelectric conversion elements 13 and 13 increases, so that the lower part of the thermoelectric conversion elements 13 and 13 constitutes the p-type constituting the thermoelectric conversion elements 13 and 13. It is desirable that the thermoelectric semiconductor 131 and the n-type thermoelectric semiconductor 132 be heated to a high temperature as long as they are not damaged.

  Accordingly, in the thermoelectric conversion module 10 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the material constituting the tube body 11, for example, stainless steel or the like is made as thin as possible, for example, about 0.5 mm, and compressed in the tube body 11. The waste heat of the ionic fluid is efficiently transmitted to the lower part of the thermoelectric conversion elements 13 and 13.

  On the other hand, in the thermoelectric conversion module 10 of the present embodiment, the upper tube wall 11C of the tube body 11 is the lower tube of the tube body 11 at a substantially central portion in the width direction perpendicular to the flow path of the compressive fluid of the tube body 11. The ribs 23 are formed to be recessed so as to contact the wall 11D. Therefore, even when the tubular body 11 is thinned and the heat of the compressive fluid flowing through the tubular body 11 is efficiently transmitted to the thermoelectric conversion elements 13 and 13 disposed on the upper and lower surfaces of the tubular body 11, the rib 23 Acts as a support member, so that the rigidity of the tube body 11 can be kept high.

  Therefore, the deformation of the upper and lower surfaces 11A and 11B of the tubular body 11 can be suppressed, and the flatness of the upper and lower surfaces 11A and 11B can be improved. For this reason, high temperature side electrode parts 12 and 12 can be stuck to upper and lower surfaces 11A and 11B of tube body 11, and thermoelectric conversion elements 13 and 13 can be stuck via high temperature side electrode parts 12 and 12. Therefore, even when the tubular body 11 is thinned, the heat of the compressive fluid flowing in the tubular body 11 can be efficiently transmitted.

  When the tube body 11 is thinned, the high temperature side electrode portions 12 and 12 are in direct contact with the tube body 11, so that the tube body 11 is easily affected by the heat of the compressive fluid flowing in the tube body 11 and is likely to thermally expand. However, in the thermoelectric conversion module 10 of the present embodiment, the divided high temperature side electrode portions 12 and 12 arranged on both sides of the rib 23 are connected by the bridge electrode 25 so as to straddle the rib 23. ing.

  As described above, since the bridge-shaped electrode 25 is made of a flexible electrode material such as a plate spring-shaped electrode member, the divided high temperature side disposed on both sides of the rib 23 as described above. Even when the electrode portions 12 and 12 are thermally expanded, the bridge electrode 25 can be easily deformed. Therefore, since the thermal expansion of the divided high temperature side electrode portions 12 and 12 can be absorbed by the bridge-like electrode 25, the disconnection of the divided high temperature side electrode portions 12 and 12 disposed on both sides of the rib 23 can be prevented. The problem that it becomes impossible to take out the produced | generated electric energy out of the thermoelectric conversion module 10 from the whole thermoelectric conversion elements 13 and 13 can be avoided.

  In addition, unlike the thermoelectric conversion module 10 of this embodiment, when the high temperature side electrode parts 12 and 12 are not divided | segmented into the both sides of the rib 23, and are continuously formed so that the rib 23 may be straddled, the temperature of the tubular body 11 Due to the thermal stress resulting from the non-uniformity of thermal expansion based on the non-uniformity of the above, excessive concentration of stress occurs in the rib 23 and the high-temperature side electrode portions 12 and 12 and the thermoelectric conversion elements 13 and 13 are likely to be damaged. As a result, it becomes more difficult to extract the generated electric energy from the entire thermoelectric conversion elements 13 and 13 disposed on the tube body 11.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the high temperature side electrode portions 12 and 12 have a three-layer structure of a first metal layer / insulating layer / second metal layer that are sequentially stacked, and the bridge electrode 25 It can be formed so as to be electrically connected to the metal layer.

  The high temperature side electrode portions 12 and 12 are disposed so as to be electrically insulated from the tube body 11, but the tube body 11 and the high temperature side electrode portions 12 and 12 are made of a metal body as described above. If an insulator (insulating layer) is directly disposed between the body 11 and the high temperature side electrode parts 12, 12, adhesion (bonding) between the insulator and the tube body 11 is particularly poor, and the high temperature side electrode part 12, 12 cannot be stably disposed on the tube 11.

  However, by adopting the three-layer structure as described above, the first metal layer located in the first layer is in contact with the tubular body 11, but both are made of a metal body. Adhesion (bondability) can be improved. Therefore, the high temperature side electrode portions 12 and 12 can be stably disposed on the tube body 11. Similarly, the adhesion (bondability) between the low-temperature side electrode portions 14 and 14 and the lower wall surface 15B of the case member 15 is also improved.

  When the high temperature side electrode portions 12 and 12 have a three-layer structure as described above, the bridge electrode 25 is connected to the second metal layer located at the uppermost layer. Thus, even when the high temperature side electrode portions 12 and 12 are separately arranged on both sides of the rib 23, the deformation due to the thermal expansion of the divided high temperature side electrode portions 12 and 12 can be absorbed by the deformation of the bridge electrode 25. As a result, disconnection or the like between the divided high temperature side electrode portions 12 and 12 can be prevented. As a result, the problem that the generated electric energy cannot be taken out of the thermoelectric conversion module 10 from the entire thermoelectric conversion elements 13 and 13 can be avoided.

  The bridge-like electrode 25 can be formed not only on the high temperature side electrode portions 12 and 12 but also on the low temperature side electrode portions 14 and 14 as described above.

  The first metal layer and the second metal layer can be made of Al, Cu, Ni, or an alloy thereof, and the insulating layer can be made of an insulating ceramic such as alumina or silicon nitride.

  While the present invention has been described in detail based on the above specific examples, the present invention is not limited to the above specific examples, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Thermoelectric conversion module 11 Tubing body 12 High temperature side electrode part 13 Thermoelectric conversion element 14 Low temperature side electrode part 15 Case member 16 Air gap (between low temperature side electrode part and case member) 17 Electrode terminal 18 Refrigerant inlet 19 Refrigerant outlet 23 Rib 25 Bridge electrode

Claims (2)

A tubular tube for flowing a compressive fluid;
A high temperature side electrode portion disposed on each of an upper surface side and a lower surface side of the tube body and electrically insulated from the tube body;
A thermoelectric conversion element in which at least a pair of a p-type thermoelectric semiconductor and an n-type thermoelectric semiconductor are electrically connected in series on the high temperature side electrode portion;
On the thermoelectric conversion element, a low-temperature side electrode portion that electrically connects the p-type thermoelectric semiconductor and the n-type thermoelectric semiconductor in series;
A case member for housing the tubular body, the high temperature side electrode portion, the thermoelectric conversion element, and the low temperature side electrode portion so as to provide a gap for flowing a refrigerant between the low temperature side electrode portion and With
In the non-formation region of the thermoelectric conversion element, at least one of the upper tube wall and the lower tube wall of the tubular body is the lower tube of the tubular body in a direction substantially perpendicular to the flow direction of the compressive fluid. Forming a rib indented to contact at least one of the wall and the upper tube wall;
At least one of the high temperature side electrode part and the low temperature side electrode part includes a bridge electrode formed so as to straddle a recess formed due to the rib.   The high temperature side electrode portion has a three-layer structure of a first metal layer / insulating layer / second metal layer sequentially stacked, and the bridge electrode is electrically connected to the second metal layer. The thermoelectric conversion module according to claim 1, wherein the thermoelectric conversion module is formed as described above.

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