Armstrong, Westerman Hattori, McLeland & Naughton
Thermoelectric modules and thermoelectric elements
 The invention provides a thermoelectric element produced by placing a powder of thermoelectric material over an electrode plate first and then an electrode plate over the power to form superposed layers, and thereafter sintering the powder with a pressure applied thereto perpendicular to the superposed layers. The electrode plates and the thermoelectric material are joined into an integral assembly before fabricating a thermoelectric module. The invention provides a thermoelectric module which is produced by arranging p-type thermoelectric elements and n-type thermoelectric elements alternately in a row at a predetermined interval, each of the elements comprising a thermoelectric material provided between and joined to a pair of opposed electrode plates, and interconnecting pairs of spaced adjacent upper electrode plates and pairs of spaced adjacent lower electrode plates alternately by brazing to electrically connect the p-type and n-type thermoelectric elements in series. Another thermoelectric module of the invention is fabricated by preparing a plurality of submodules each comprising p-type thermoelectric elements and n-type thermoelectric elements arranged alternately in an elongated row and electrically connected in series through electrode plates, arranging the submodules side by side suitably, and brazing the electrode plate of the p-type thermoelectric element at an end position of each submodule to the electrode plate of the n-type thermoelectric element at a corresponding end position of another submodule adjacent to the submodule so as to electrically connect the plurality of submodules in series. 
Kubota Corporation
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Isao Hideki Michio Shuzo
Endo Satake Yamaguchi Kagawa