METHOD FOR SWITCHING THERMOCOUPLE ARMS Russian patent published in 2005 - IPC

FIELD: thermoelectric devices for manufacturing thermoelectric refrigerators and generators.

SUBSTANCE: proposed method for switching arms of thermocouples depending for their operation on Peltier effect includes formation of block of rectangular arms, covering of butt-ends of arms with switching layers, and their connection by soldering to metal buses. Nickel switching layers and nickel-copper alloy shielding coating having thickness of 0.1-0.2 and 0.3-0.5% of arm length, respectively, are applied by chemical method from aqueous solutions. Nickel and nickel-copper alloy are deposited from alkali and ammonia solutions at temperature of 97-99 °C and pH of 8.5-9.5. Nickel plating process is initiated by holding block in contact with aluminum or with metal of iron subgroup for 20-30 s which is broken in 4-5 s upon process initiation recognized by effervescence of gas bubbles.

EFFECT: facilitated procedure, enhanced reliability of arm switching.

1 cl, 1 dwg