The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 11, 2001
Filed:
Jan. 26, 1998
Jean-Pierre Fleurial, Duarte, CA (US);
N. Thomas Olson, La Jolla, CA (US);
Alexander Borshchevsky, Santa Monica, CA (US);
Thierry Caillat, Pasadena, CA (US);
Elizabeth Kolawa, Bradbury, CA (US);
M. Amy Ryan, Pasadena, CA (US);
Wayne M. Philips, Shadow Hills, CA (US);
California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA (US);
Abstract
A device for generating power to run an electronic component. The device includes a heat-conducting substrate (composed, e.g., of diamond or another high thermal conductivity material) disposed in thermal contact with a high temperature region. During operation, heat flows from the high temperature region into the heat-conducting substrate, from which the heat flows into the electrical power generator. A thermoelectric material (e.g., a Bi,Te,-based film or other thermoelectric material) is placed in thermal contact with the heat-conducting substrate. A low temperature region is located on the side of the thermoelectric material opposite that of the high temperature region. The thermal gradient generates electrical power and drives an electrical component.