IP Library Granted Patent US 9,117,969
Granted Patent B2
US 9,117,969 · App. 13/026,437 · Granted Aug 25, 2015

Thermoelectric device, thermoelectric apparatus having a multiplicity of thermoelectric devices and motor vehicle having a thermoelectric apparatus

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,117,969
App. No.
13/026,437
Granted
Aug 25, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

A thermoelectric device includes at least a first metal foil having a first material thickness, a second metal foil having a second material thickness, an interspace between the first metal foil and the second metal foil, an electrical insulation coating on the first metal foil and the second metal foil towards the interspace and a multiplicity of first semiconductor components and second semiconductor components, which are fixed and electrically connected to one another on the insulation coating in the interspace. A thermoelectric apparatus having a multiplicity of thermoelectric devices and a motor vehicle having a thermoelectric apparatus, are also provided.

Claims (25)

1. A thermoelectric device, comprising:

a first metal foil having a first material thickness, said first material thickness being in a range of from 30 μm to 300 μm;

a second metal foil having a second material thickness;

said first metal foil and said second metal foil defining an interspace therebetween;

electrical insulation coatings disposed on said first metal foil and said second metal foil and facing toward said interspace;

said first metal foil having an outer side facing away from said electrical insulating coating and a catalyst carrier layer disposed on said outer side; and

a multiplicity of first semiconductor components and second semiconductor components fixed in said interspace on said electrical insulation coatings and said multiplicity of first semiconductor components and second semiconductor components being electrically connected to one another only by brazing material disposed on said insulation coatings.

2. The thermoelectric device according to claim 1 , wherein said first metal foil is a steel foil including chromium and aluminum alloying constituents.

3. The thermoelectric device according to claim 1 , wherein said multiplicity of first semiconductor components and second semiconductor components each have a component height of 1 to 5 mm.

4. The thermoelectric device according to claim 1 , wherein said first metal foil and said second metal foil are directly connected to one another.

5. The thermoelectric device according to claim 1 , which further comprises a filler medium disposed in said interspace and at least partly enclosing said multiplicity of first semiconductor components and second semiconductor components.

6. The thermoelectric device according to claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of said first semiconductor components or second semiconductor components has a layered construction.

7. A thermoelectric apparatus, comprising:

a multiplicity of thermoelectric devices according to claim 1 constructed as layered modules disposed opposite to one another;

said first metal foils of at least some of said layered modules defining hot channels therebetween; and

said second metal foils of at least some of said layered modules defining cold channels therebetween.

8. A motor vehicle, comprising:

an internal combustion engine;

an exhaust gas system connected to said internal combustion engine;

a water cooling circuit;

a thermoelectric apparatus including a multiplicity of thermoelectric devices according to claim 1 constructed as layered modules disposed opposite to one another;

said first metal foils of at least some of said layered modules defining hot channels therebetween;

said second metal foils of at least some of said layered modules defining cold channels therebetween;

said exhaust gas system being connected to said hot channels; and

said water cooling circuit being connected to said cold channels.

Assignments (4)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 24, 2025
From: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
To: VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
Reel/Frame 071028/0838 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 10, 2025
From: CONTINENTAL EMITEC GMBH
To: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
Reel/Frame 070818/0195 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 19, 2024
From: EMITEC GESELLSCHAFT FÜR EMISSIONSTECHNOLGIE MBH
To: CONTINENTAL EMITEC GMBH
Reel/Frame 067125/0944 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 27, 2012
From: LIMBECK, SIGRID; BRUECK, ROLF
To: EMITEC GESELLSCHAFT FUER EMISSIONSTECHNOLOGIE MBH
Reel/Frame 029355/0363 →