METHOD FOR PRESSING THERMOELECTRIC MATERIALS AND DEVICE FOR IMPLEMENTING THE METHOD Russian patent published in 2022 - IPC H01L35/34 B22F3/14 

FIELD: energy conversion.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to the field of direct conversion of thermal energy into electrical energy, namely to the technology for obtaining branches of thermoelements by powder metallurgy. Essence: the powdered pressed material is placed in a heated mold between the matrix and the movable punches, the mold is placed under the press and pressure is applied to the punches for a certain time. Moreover, the pressed material is electrically isolated from the matrix along the entire contact surface, adjustable heaters are installed on the punches, the punches are provided with inclined holes for measuring thermocouples, which are electrically isolated from the punches. The pressed material serves as a hot layer of the thermocouples. The punches are electrically isolated from the matrix. A temperature gradient is obtained using two heaters placed in punches on the pressed material and thus a thermoelectric current source is created from the pressed material, which is connected through a controlled electrical circuit to the load. During the pressing process, the thermoelectric properties of the material are determined by the volt-ampere characteristic of the thermoelectric current source. As potential probes for measuring voltage and thermal EMF of a current source, the branches of thermocouples of the same name are used, the hot junction of each of which is the pressed material. When the material reaches the specified properties in terms of specific electrical conductivity and thermal EMF coefficient, the heating process is completed.

EFFECT: improvement of thermoelectric and mechanical properties, increase of electric power generated additionally and service life.

3 cl, 2 dwg, 2 tbl