Peltier element with heat flux sensor
Provided is a Peltier element with an ultra-low thermal resistance heat flux sensor that is capable of detecting heat flow passing through the Peltier element at high speed and has negligible thermal resistance. It has a structure in which an anomalous Nernst heat flux sensor is formed directly on one or both of an upper part and a lower part of an insulating board that forms a Peltier element.
1 . A Peltier element with a heat flux sensor, comprising:
an upper insulating board comprising an upper outer surface and an upper inner surface opposite from the upper outer surface;
a lower insulating board comprising a lower outer surface and a lower inner surface opposite from the lower outer surface, the lower inner surface facing the upper inner surface;
a plurality of fine lines constituting an anomalous Nernst heat flux sensor is-formed directly on the upper outer surface or the lower outer surface or both;
N-type and P-type elements sandwiched between the upper insulating board and the lower insulating board, such that the upper insulating board, the lower insulating board, and the N-type and P-type elements form a Peltier element;
an upper electrode pattern formed on the upper inner surface; and
a lower electrode pattern formed on the lower inner surface,
wherein the upper electrode pattern and the lower electrode pattern are configured so that the N-type and P-type elements are alternately connected in series.
2 . The Peltier element with a heat flux sensor according to claim 1 , wherein an electrode provided on the lower inner surface and an electrode of the Peltier element are caused to abut on each other to be directly connected.
3 . The Peltier element with a heat flux sensor according to claim 2 , wherein each of the upper insulating board and the lower insulating board is either a ceramic board or a flexible sheet.
4 . The Peltier element with a heat flux sensor according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of fine lines constituting the anomalous Nernst heat flux sensor include:
a thermoelectric generator including a plurality of first fine lines ( 22 a ) that are arranged parallel to each other to extend in a first direction (y direction) along a surface of the insulating board; and
a connector including a plurality of second fine lines ( 23 a ) that are arranged parallel to the first fine lines ( 22 a ) of the thermoelectric generator and between the first fine lines ( 22 a ) along the surface of the insulating board,
wherein each of the first fine lines ( 22 a ) of the thermoelectric generator is formed of a magnetic material having residual magnetization even in absence of an external magnetic field and is magnetized in the same direction in width direction of each of the first fine lines 22 a of the thermoelectric generator, the width direction being a second direction (x direction) that is perpendicular to the first direction within the insulating boards,
wherein each of the second fine lines ( 23 a ) of the connector electrically connects one end of the corresponding first fine line ( 22 a ) of the thermoelectric generator to another end of a first fine line ( 22 a ) adjacent to the corresponding first fine line ( 22 a ) on one side, and
wherein the connector is formed of a magnetic material that is magnetized in a direction opposite to a direction of magnetization of each of the first fine lines ( 22 a ), a non-magnetic material, or a magnetic material that has a Nernst coefficient with an opposite sign to that of each of the first fine lines ( 22 a ).
5 . The Peltier element with a heat flux sensor according to claim 4 , wherein the magnetic material of the thermoelectric generator is any of Fe—Al, Fe—Ga, Fe—Sn, Fe—Pt, Mn—Ga, Mn—Ge, Mn—Sn, Ni—Pt, Co—Gd, Fe 4 N, Mn 3 AN (A=Mn, Pt, Ni), a Co 2 YZ (Y═Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Z═Ga, Ge, Al, Si, Sn, Sb) Heusler alloy, an Sm—Co permanent magnet material, an Nd—Fe—B permanent magnet material, an FePt L1 0 ordered alloy, an FePd L1 0 ordered alloy, and a CoPt L1 0 ordered alloy.
6 . The Peltier element with a heat flux sensor according to claim 4 , wherein the non-magnetic material of the connector is any of Cu, Ag, Au, Al, Rh, W, Mo, Pt, Pd, and an alloy material containing any combination of these.
7 . The Peltier element with a heat flux sensor according to claim 1 , further comprising a heat-dissipating fin attached onto the heat flux sensor.
8 . The Peltier element with a heat flux sensor according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of fine lines are formed directly throughout the upper outer surface or the lower outer surface or both.