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US3923551A - Method of making a thermopile with insulatingly separate junctions on an alumina insulator - Google Patents

Method of making a thermopile with insulatingly separate junctions on an alumina insulator Download PDF

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Publication number
US3923551A
US3923551A US205591A US20559171A US3923551A US 3923551 A US3923551 A US 3923551A US 205591 A US205591 A US 205591A US 20559171 A US20559171 A US 20559171A US 3923551 A US3923551 A US 3923551A
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thermoelectric
wires
tape
capsule
titanium
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US205591A
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David L Purdy
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Intermedics Inc
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ARCO Medical Products Co
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Assigned to INTERMEDICS, INC., INTERMEDICS CARDIASSIST, INC., INTERMEDICS INTRAOCULAR, INC., SURGITRONICS CORPORATION, CARBOMEDICS, INC., NEUROMEDICS, INC., CALCITEK, INC., INTERVASCULAR, INC., AND MASTER IMAGES, INC., TEXAS CORPORATIONS, AND AMERICANPACEMAKER CORPORATION, A CORP. OF MA. reassignment INTERMEDICS, INC., INTERMEDICS CARDIASSIST, INC., INTERMEDICS INTRAOCULAR, INC., SURGITRONICS CORPORATION, CARBOMEDICS, INC., NEUROMEDICS, INC., CALCITEK, INC., INTERVASCULAR, INC., AND MASTER IMAGES, INC., TEXAS CORPORATIONS, AND AMERICANPACEMAKER CORPORATION, A CORP. OF MA. SAID PARTIES RECITES OBLIGATIONS RECITED IN SECURITY AGREEMENT RECORDED SEPTEMBER 17, 1984 REEL 4303 FRAMES 077-127 HAVE BEEN PAID IN FULL ALL SEE RECORD FOR DETIALS Assignors: CITIBANK, N.A., INDIVIDUALLY AND AS AGENT FOR BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL TRUST AND SAVINGS ASSOCIATION, THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, N.A., THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO, TRUST COMPANY BANK, FIRST FREEPORT NATIONAL BANK OF BRAZOSPORT BANK OF TEXAS
Assigned to INTERMEDICS, INC., INTERMEDICS CARDIASSIST, INC., INTERMEDICS INTRAOCULAR, INC., SURGITRONICS CORPORATION, CARBOMEDICS, INC., NEUROMEDICS, INC., CALCITEK, INC., TEXAS CORPORATION AND AMERICAN PACEMAKER CORPORATION, A CORP OF MASS. reassignment INTERMEDICS, INC., INTERMEDICS CARDIASSIST, INC., INTERMEDICS INTRAOCULAR, INC., SURGITRONICS CORPORATION, CARBOMEDICS, INC., NEUROMEDICS, INC., CALCITEK, INC., TEXAS CORPORATION AND AMERICAN PACEMAKER CORPORATION, A CORP OF MASS. SECURED PARTY HEREBY RELEASE THE SECURITY INTEREST IN AGREEMENT RECORDED AUGUST 5, 1985. REEL 4434 FRAMES 728-782 Assignors: CITIBANK, N.A.
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
    • A61N1/00—Electrotherapy; Circuits therefor
    • A61N1/18—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes
    • A61N1/32—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents
    • A61N1/36—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents for stimulation
    • A61N1/372—Arrangements in connection with the implantation of stimulators
    • A61N1/378—Electrical supply
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
    • A61N1/00—Electrotherapy; Circuits therefor
    • A61N1/18—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes
    • A61N1/32—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents
    • A61N1/36—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents for stimulation
    • A61N1/372—Arrangements in connection with the implantation of stimulators
    • A61N1/375—Constructional arrangements, e.g. casings
    • A61N1/37512—Pacemakers
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21H—OBTAINING ENERGY FROM RADIOACTIVE SOURCES; APPLICATIONS OF RADIATION FROM RADIOACTIVE SOURCES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; UTILISING COSMIC RADIATION
    • G21H1/00—Arrangements for obtaining electrical energy from radioactive sources, e.g. from radioactive isotopes, nuclear or atomic batteries
    • G21H1/10—Cells in which radiation heats a thermoelectric junction or a thermionic converter
    • G21H1/103—Cells provided with thermo-electric generators
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H10—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H10N—ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H10N10/00—Thermoelectric devices comprising a junction of dissimilar materials, i.e. devices exhibiting Seebeck or Peltier effects
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S439/00—Electrical connectors
    • Y10S439/933—Special insulation

Definitions

  • a heart pacer including a radioactive thermoelectric generator having a primary source of energy of radioactive material in a fuel capsule about which a thermoelectric converter is wound.
  • the converter includes a large number of wires of positive and negative thermoelectric materials which are woven as warp into a thermoelectric cloth whose woof is of insulating threads.
  • Several layers of this thermoelectric cloth are included in a tape having an outer sheet of radiation heat-shielding material.
  • Thermoelectric junctions are formed of the ends of the wires of positiive and negative material in grooves of ceramic tabs. The grooves are coated with titanium. A eutecic of copper and silver adheres the wire ends together and to the titanium.
  • FIGJO clear epoxy This epoxy is transparent so that the surgeon has a clear view to assure the final connection of the heart lead to the terminal.
  • All components of the generator made in the practice of this invention are ceramic or metal.
  • organic materials are not used within the titanium envelope.
  • the materials from which the radiation shields are made are self-gettering and the vacuum, rather than to degrade, improves over the life of the unit. Connections are made with high conductivity copper conductor straps, as well as extremely lowheat fluxes to minimize the temperature gradients.
  • a generator according to this invention with the pulser can be constructed to fit within a 2.8 x x 6 centimeter envelope.
  • FIG. 1 is a view in transverse section of a heart pacer according to this invention
  • FIG. 2 is a view in section taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a view in section taken along line III--III of FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 4 is a view in section taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the portion of FIG. 1 encircled by circle V;
  • FIG. 6 is a plan view of the tape of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 through 5; 7
  • FIG. 7 is a view in end elevation of this tape
  • FIG. 8 is an enlarged view in section taken along line VIII-VIII of FIG. 6;
  • FIG. 9 is an enlarged diagrammatic view of the tape showing how the thermoelectric strands are connected.
  • FIG. 10 is a plan view enlarged of an end tab to which the thermoelectric strands are connected;
  • FIG. 1 1 is a view in side elevation enlarged of this end tab
  • FIG. 12 is a view in end elevation enlarged of this end tab
  • FIGS. 13A and 13B are plan views enlarged of a single groove of an end tab showing how the ends of the thermoelectric strands are connected in the grooves of the end tabs;
  • FIGS. 14A and 14B are views in end elevation of the structures shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B;
  • FIG. 15 is a schematic of apparatus according to this invention.
  • the apparatus shown in the drawings includes a Fuel Capsule, a Tape wound in spirals about the Fuel Capsule, a Capsule Support Spider, a Pulser and an Output Cable.
  • the Fuel Capsule, Tape, and Spider are in a container formed by welding two cupshaped halves 18 and 20 together.
  • the Capsule includes a plurality of radioactive units 21, 23, 25.
  • Each unit includes an inner tube or sheath 27 within which there is a wire or bar 29 of radioactive material.
  • the inner tube is enclosed within a middle tube or sheath 31.
  • the tubes 31 are disposed in the partitions 33 (FIG. 2) of an outer can 35.
  • Each of the tubes 27 and 31 and the partitions of 33 are sealed by a plug 4 37, 39, 41 (FIG. 2) respectively welded to the associated tube.
  • the fuel wires consists of standard purity plutonium 238 metal in the form of a small extruded wire approximately 1 inch long and about 0.022 inches in diameter in each of three cylindrical capsule liners or tubes 27.
  • the inner or primary tube 27 is made of Ta- 10W* alloy and is capable of containing the pressure of the helium generated by the Pu 238 under the most severe credible accidents.
  • the cylinder wall of each tube 27 is 0.030 inches thick and the end plug is 0.060 inches thick. Approximately 400% void volume is provided in the capsule to allow for ease of assembly and fuel form flexibility.
  • the available data on materials compatibility indicate that there is no likelihood of damage from lack of compatability of Ta-lOW with Pu metal under the anticipated conditions of operation for the life of the generator.
  • the Ta-10W tube 27 is protected from high-temperature oxidation by the Hastelloy C tube or sheath 31.
  • Hastelloy C is selected because it has resistance to the corrosive effects of a broad spectrum of chemical reagents as well as resistance to oxidation at high temperatures.
  • the Hastelloy sheath is 0.009in. thick with 0.060 end plugs. Additional corrosion protection is obtained by a 0.001 inch coating of Pt over the Hastelloy which is provided to prevent reactions with the Ti outer can 35 during possible thermal excursions.
  • the three individual tubes 31 are contained in the outer can 35 of Ti to fix them in the required position and to facilitate the joining of the thermocouples to the heat source.
  • Titanium is selected for ease and reliability of joining, high-strength-weight ratio, and because it has unique resistance to a broad spectrum of chemical reagents in which accidental immersion may be postulated.
  • the use of Ti-O.2 Pd alloy, in alternative practice of this invention, allows the broadening of this spectrum to cover reducing reagents as well as oxidizing reagents.
  • the tube 27 is filled with helium or argon or other inert gas at about one atmosphere pressure and then the plug 37 is welded to its rim by electron-beam or tungsten-arc welding.
  • the helium provides the thermal conductivity between the wire 29 and the Ta-lOW wall.
  • the tube 31 and the partitions 33 are evacuated and the plugs 39 and 41 sealed to their rims by electronbeam welding.
  • Alternative Fuel Capsules in the practice of this invention may include Pu02 as fuel.
  • platinum may replace the Hastelloy C alloy for the tube 31 where higher absorption of gamma rays is demanded.
  • Each Spider (FIGS. 2 and 3) includes a T-plate or bracket 51, whose web 53 and cross 1 METHOD OF MAKING A THERMOIPILE WITH INSULATINGLY SEPARATE .IUNCTIONS ON AN ALUMINA INSULATOR C ROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLIC ATIONS
  • This application is a division of Ser. No. 817,271 filed Apr. 14, 1969, now US. Pat. 3,649,367 granted Mar. 14, 1972 for Electrical Generator which is itself a continuation of application Ser. No. 554,874 filed June 2, 1966 for Electrical Generator and now abandoned.
  • This invention relates to the generation of electrical energy and has particular relationship to completely self-sufficient generators which create electrical energy in places where no other sources than such generators are available.
  • devices for which such a generator can serve as a power supply are cardiac pacemakers or heart pacers.
  • a heart pacer supplies electrical pulses to the heart of a patient or subject to drive the pumping muscles of the heart.
  • the pacer includes a pulse generator embedded below the abdomen of a subject and an electrode in driving engagement with the heart.
  • the electrode is connected to the generator through a cable.
  • the cathode pole of the pulse supply is at the electrode; the anode pole is grounded in the generator.
  • Each pulse is typically a square-wave pulse having a duration of about 1.5 milliseconds.
  • the pulse current is between 4 and milliamperes; the load supplied by the pulses is 300 to 700 ohms paralleled by a capacitance of 0.25 microfarads and resistance of 1000 ohms.
  • the frequency of the pulses depends on the subject and typically is 70 plus or minus 5 per minute for humans and 120 plus or minus 5 per minute for dogs.
  • the generator should deliver a voltage of about 6 volts.
  • the installation of a pacer in a subject demands major surgery.
  • a generator which includes a central radioactive fuel capsule about which is wound spirally, thermoelectric cloth having embedded therein strands of thermocouple material. Radiation foil insulation is wound between the layers of thermoelectric cloth.
  • the thermoelectric cloth may be formed by spinning thermal insulating thread, for example quartz thread, as woof on the thermoelectric strands as warp.
  • the thread may be the warp and the thermoelectric strands the woof but his has the disadvantage that the relatively stiff metal strands must be turned under and over the yieldable quartz thread rather than the converse.
  • Alternate thermoelectric strands are of opposite polarity materials and the ends of adjacent strands are conductively joined so that the opposite-polarity strands of the tape form a thermopile of long thermocouples in series.
  • the tape is wound so that the ends of the thermoelectric strand on the inside of the spiral are contiguous to the capsule and form the hot junction of the pile.
  • thermocouples of the wires in the tape be connected in series and for this purpose it is necessary that the hot and cold junctions be formed of the wire ends of wires of opposite thermoelectric polarity. In these junctions the wire ends must be joined in firm electrical contact and the junctions must be effectively insulated from each other. It is an object of this invention to achieve this desidera tion; that is, to provide an electrical component including sets of wires having terminal ends to be joined in firm electrical contact with the joined terminal ends of different sets of the wires effectively insulated from each other.
  • alumina tabs having grooves.
  • Each groove has a coating of a titanium, which adheres to the ceramics, the coatings in different grooves being separated and insulated from each other. Copper and silver brazing metal is deposited on the coating in each groove and the wire ends of the different sets of wires are fused in by the brazing metal and are joined in firm electrical contact.
  • thermoelectric tape with heat-radiation reflecting material over its surface.
  • thermocouple length l.
  • the thermal conduction path is then long assuring maximum temperature diference, at the same time there is adequate internal power attenuation not subject to short-circuits.
  • Cupron Special and Tophel Special thermocouple strands may be included in the tape and they may be connected in parallel redundancy for optimum reliability.
  • Cupron Special is a copper-nickel-manganese alloy, typically 59.5% Cu, 40% Ni, .5 Mn;
  • Tophel Special is a copper-nickel alloy typically Cu, 10% Ni.
  • the strands spiral from the central fuel source and occupy the space between the radiation foil vacuum insulation.
  • the thermocouples are attached to the capsule at one end and the heat rejection sink which is the container exterior at the other.
  • the thermocouples are woven as the lengthwise fibers into quartz cloth and are electrically insulated from each other by the laterally woven quartz fibers. This construction combines excellent insulating properties with shock and vibration support.
  • an external case of titanium hermetically encloses the bundle formed by the central fuel core and the spirally wound thermocouple ribbons with their interleaved radiation shields.
  • the case with its contents is sealed by electronbeam welding in a high vacuum.
  • the power leads are brought, typically, through alumina ceramic-to-metal seals into another hermetically sealed chamber containing the heart pacer pulser.
  • Another ceramic-tometal seal conducts the signal to a terminal sealed in 7 of the end couple 181 of Tape 165 is connected to the output conductor 183 (FIG. 1) from the generator.
  • each tape 151 through 165 has 424 thermocouple wires; these are connected to form 106 hot junctions and 107 cold junctions.
  • the tapes 151 to 165 and the copper straps 145 are placed in a fixture which supports the tapes in the proper orientation with respect to the copper straps at both ends of the tapes.
  • Theh copper tabs 141 and 143 which have been pre-attached to the ceramic tabs 121 and 123 to which the thermocouple ends have been brazed, are joined to the copper heat transfer straps 145 located at both ends of the thermocouple tapes 151 through 165 by spot brazing with Cu-Ag alloy.
  • the eight tapes are thereby combined into a single unified thermocouple assembly of the proper length and dimensions which can be entirely pretested before going on to the next step of assembly.
  • the next step consists in attaching the tensile support wires 63, 65, 67 to the Fuel Capsule, placing the end thermal insulation 171 between the three support wires at each end, and affixing the tensile support wires to the support T-brackets 51 which have been pre-fixed to an assembly fixture.
  • the assembly fixture is constructed so that the brackets 51 are held at the proper separation for insertion and fastening into the case 83. Care is taken to exert appropriate tension on the wires when they are fastened to the bracket.
  • the insulation 171 (FIG. 2) is positioned within the tensile wires 63, 65, 67 and the fixture can be rotated about an axis passing through the center of the Fuel Capsule.
  • the hotjunction end of the copper terminal thermocouple strap 145 is attached around the Fuel Capsule by first positioning the end of the terminal strap 145 into the groove provided in the Fuel Capsule and spot brazing the strap to the Capsule.
  • the cold junction thermal joint is then attached to the copper strap 173 provided in half 18 of the container. This joint is made by spot brazing the ends of the copper straps 173 together with copper-silver eutectic alloy.
  • the Fuel Capsule which is still affixed to its winding fixture is now rotated around its axis until the thermocouple tape assembly 151 through 165 is wound around the central axis, and the spider is then fastened to the brackets provided in the interior of the container.
  • the hermetic lead 183 which is a thin fiat strap, is attached to the electrical terminal on the thermocouple assembly, thus completing the electrical connection.
  • the unit, exclusive of the Pulser, is now placed in a high vacuum outgassing device and a vacuum provided where it will be outgassed at a temperature of 500C until the pressure in the system is reduced to millimeters of mercury. This drives off any residual water vapor, adsorbed gas or other contaminants which could, over the anticipated 10 year life, degrade the system and cause generator failure.
  • the vacuum is broken with pure, dry argon after which the half of the container is placed over the half 18.
  • the assembled unit is then placed in a chill block fixture, evacuated to 10 mm of Hg, and electron-beam welded. This procedure ensures cleanliness and freedom from degrading contaminants which, as indicated above, may adversely affect the operation of the system over its lifetime.
  • the Pulser includes a hermetically sealed casing 201 mounted on the half 18 of the container adjacent to the point where the conductor 183 extends from the hot electrical terminal of the thermopile.
  • a pulse producing device 203 including solid state valves or transistors.
  • the pulse producing device may be a free-running multivibrator with its impedances set to produce the pulses of the desired duration having the desired amplitudes and the desired on and off times.
  • the pulse producer produces pulses of 2 millisecond durations at intervals of 500 milliseconds.
  • the pulses have an amplitude of 6 milliamperes.
  • the steady-state conduction of the device is about 3 microamperes.
  • the pulsing device has only one input terminal connected through a ceramic-to-metal feed-through connector 204 (FIG. 2), a conductor 205 and another ceramic-to-metal feed-through connector 207, sealed through the half 18 of the container, to the conductor 183.
  • the conductor 183 impresses about 6 volts negative on this input terminal.
  • the opposite terminal of the pulser is grounded to the same ground as the grounded terminal of the thermopile.
  • the pulsing device includes an output conductor 221 (FIG. 4) extending out of the container 201 and connected to a connector ring 223 to which it transmits the pulses produced.
  • the Pulser is molded in a generally rectangular mass 225 of transparent epoxy resin.
  • the conductor 221 is embedded in this mass.
  • the mass 225 includes a tubular opening 227 intermediate whose ends the ring 223 is molded.
  • the opening 227 tapers slightly from both of its ends towards the ring 223.
  • the Output Cable includes a coiled conductor 231 typically of Eligloy alloy.
  • the conductor 231 is enclosed in a flexible tube 233 preferably of silicone rubher which is enclosed in an insulating sheath 235 typically of silicone rubber.
  • a stud 237 having a generally frusto-conical center portion 239 from which a screw 241 extends is secured in the end of the sheath 235.
  • the conductor 231 is connected to the attenuated end 238 of the stud 237.
  • the Output Cable also includes a connector nut 243. This nut 243 is slotted at one end 245 and carries an internal thread 247 at the other. There is a neck between the ends 245 and 247 on which an O ring 249 is mounted.
  • the screw 241, frusto-conical portion 239, sheath 235 and the parts attached to it are pulled towards the ring 223 in one direction and the nut 243 and O ring 249 are pulled in the opposite direction.
  • the ring 223 has a tapered inner surface which is engaged in firm electrical contact by the portion 239.
  • the O ring seals the tapered hole 227 on one side and projections 251 on the outside of the sheath 235 seal the hole on the other side.
  • the power generated by the therrnopile energizes the Pulser which supplies pulses to actuate the heart.
  • Table I below shows the principal components included in the apparatus in accordance with this invention and the reasons for their selection:
  • Pu-238 metal wire (Alternate-l PuO (Alternate-2)
  • Pu-238 metal of special member 55 have holes to reduce weight.
  • Each web 53 has a wire support pin 57 at its end and the cross member 55 has like pins 59 and 61 at its ends.
  • the spring tabs 69, 71, 73 tension the wires 63, 65, 67.
  • the tabs 69, 71, 73 are included to provide necessary damping and spring action against dynamic motion of the Fuel Capsule relative to the insulation and thermoelectric parts insuring impact and vibration protection.
  • the cross members 55 of the T-plates 51 are each bolted to an angle 81 (FIG. 2) secured to the outside wall 83 of the generator.
  • the plates 68 are secured to the ends of the Fuel Capsule.
  • the T-plate 51 and the wires 63, 65, 67 may be composed of Ti-6Al-4V alloy.
  • the wires 63, 65, 67 are of 0.005 inch diameter.
  • the wires have an annealed tensile strength of about 130,000 pounds per square inch and are adequae to constrain the motion of the capsule.
  • the Ti-6AI-4V alloy is chosen for its low thermal conductivity in comparison with other high tensile strength wires. This assures a low heat loss through these wires.
  • thermoelectric pile embedded in the Tape.
  • the thermoelectric pile includes a plurality of thermocouples 89 (FIG. 9) each composed of a pair of different wires 91 and 93 one electrically negative, or having excessive electrons, designated N and the other having excessive holes, designated P.
  • the wires are connected at their ends in parallel in double pairs (FIGS. 8 and 9) to form hot junctions 92 at the Fuel Capsule and cold junctions 94 on the outside of the Tape.
  • the wires 91 may be of CUPRON alloy and the wires 93 of TOPI-IEL alloy.
  • the Tape is composite and is made up of six layers (FIG. 8).
  • a heat radiation reflecting layer 95 typically composed of Titanium-Zirconium foil.
  • thermoelectric cloth in which the wires 91 and 93 form the warp and electrical and thermal insulating threads 101 and 103, typically quartz threads, form the woof.
  • the quartz threads 101 and 103 cross on both sides of the wires 91 and 93 at cross-over points 105 so that the wires 91 and 93 are thermally and electrically insulated from each other.
  • thermally and electrically insulating cloth typically quartz cloth, respectively between the radiation-reflecting layer 95 and the thermoelectric layer 97, the layer 97 and the layer 99, and the layer 99 and the reflectting layer 95 of the adjacent tum of Tape.
  • the thermal radiation shield 95 of each layer of Tape extends beyond the thermoelectric cloth layers 101 and 103 and the insulating cloth layers 107, 109 and 111.
  • Each Tape includes a pair of ceramic connection tabs 121 and 123 (FIGS. 6, 9, 13A, 13B, 14A, 14B) one for the hot junction 92 and the other for the cold junction 94.
  • the tabs 121 and 123 may be composed of a material such as alumina which is thermally conducting but electrically insulating.
  • Each tab has a plurality of grooves 125 which are coated with a brazing compound 127, typically copper-silver.
  • the layers 129 and 131 of copper and silver may be deposited on a titanium layer 133 (FIG. 14A) by evaporation or electroplating; the titanium is deposited by evaporation or fusion.
  • thermocouple wires 91 and 93 extend freely from the thermocouple cloth.
  • the junctions 92 and 94 are formed for each Tape by placing the ends in the grooves coated with the layers 129, 131, 133 and heating the entire unit including the Tape and tabs 121 and 123 to the eutectic temperature of the brazing compound 127 which for copper-silver is 790C.
  • the compound 127 fuzes around the ends of the wires 91 and 93 (FIGS. 13B, 1413).
  • the bottom of the alumina ceramic tabs 121 and 123 are brazed to thin tabs 141 and 143 of copper (FIGS. 1, 6, 9, 11, 12) which are then spot-brazed to a copper strap 145 (FIGS. 1, 2, 3., 5) which is later connected to the fuel capsule and to the external surface respectively of the generator.
  • the copper tabs 141 and 143 are bent to compensate for thermal expansion and manufacturing tolerances which stress the Tape.
  • the copper tabs 143 to which the ceramic is attached at the cold junctions 94 have small convolutions 147 (FIG.
  • a plurality of Tapes 151, 153, 155, 157, 159, 161, 163, are wound spirally from a hot position contiguous to the Fuel Casule to a position contiguous to the external container wall 83 of the generator.
  • Each tape has ceramic terminals 121 and 123 on each side.
  • the hot-junction ceramics 121 of the Tapes 151 through 165 are distributed around the periphery of the Fuel Capsule and the cold-junction ceramics 123 are distributed (spaced) along a portion of the half wall 18.
  • the Tapes 151 to 165 start from positions spaced.
  • the hot junctions 92 of the Tape are connected in thermal interchange relationship with the Capsule through the copper strap 145 which is brazed to the Fuel Capsule.
  • the cold junctions 94 are connected thermally to the wall 93 which is brazed to a connecting strap 173, in turn brazed to outer strap 145, in turn brazed to flexible connector or tab 143.
  • the cold junction 94 of the end couple 175 (FIG. 15) on one side of the ceramic 123 connected to Tape 151 is electrically grounded to the wall 83.
  • the cold junction of the end couple 177 on the opposite side is electrically connected to the cold junction of the adjacent end couple of the succeeding tape 153 through a strap 179 and the cold junction on the opposite side is likewise connected to the adjacent end couple of the next Tape 155 and so on, each strap 179 connecting the couples of a Tape, in series with the couples of the others.
  • Second Fuel Hastelloy C" High temperature z e ia llii r g ic a l d e f e c Capsule (Middle oxidation resistance- Case Closure Electron-Beam Welding Ease of weld fixturing Sheath Resistance to corrosion Method Small heat applied 2 > attack by industrial Vacuum seal off at time chemicals. Excellent of weld. high emper r Potting Clear Epoxy Excellent history of SSrIItIaEiITInbIJIfigyVSV-Ith Compound tipmpatibility innbody.
  • P 'F- f fl Readily available in JUN-lion 200C Provides minimum of desired wire diameters. Temperature fuel loading at maximum Good mechanical efficiency point. Long properties. High life, High reliability. li ili Large L/A Thermocouple Brazed Ceramic High reliability. Ease of possible. No DC to DC flg assembly. Large surface converter required. area low resistivity joint. Thermal Vacuum, High performance. All ceramics and metal. Radiation Titanium-Zirconium Minimum thermal loss. Utilizes state-of-the-art lnsulation Radiation Shields with Easily integrated into brazes. Automatically Spiral Wind spiral wind. Self interconnects circuit.
  • a heart pacer according to this invention has the properties outlined in the following Table II.
  • thermopile formed of hundreds of thermoelectric conductors, the said thermopile including an alumina insulator having thereon an electrical junction including a plurality of sets of said thermoelectric conductors, each set forming thermocouples of said thermopile having terminal ends at said junction, the said method including the steps of depositing on spaced regions of said insulator a first layer of titanium which adheres to said insulator, the deposit on each region being insulated from the deposit on other regions, depositing on said first layer a second layer of copper, depositing on said second layer a third layer of silver, said second and third metals when heated to a eutectic temperature forming a eutectic which wets said first metal but does not wet said insulator, disposing said terminal ends of said sets on said layers, and heating said layers to said temperature to form a junction of said first layer, said eutectic and said terminal ends, said junctions being insulated from each other.

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Abstract

There is disclosed a heart pacer including a radioactive thermoelectric generator having a primary source of energy of radioactive material in a fuel capsule about which a thermoelectric converter is wound. The converter includes a large number of wires of positive and negative thermoelectric materials which are woven as warp into a thermoelectric cloth whose woof is of insulating threads. Several layers of this thermoelectric cloth are included in a tape having an outer sheet of radiation heat-shielding material. Thermoelectric junctions are formed of the ends of the wires of positiive and negative material in grooves of ceramic tabs. The grooves are coated with titanium. A eutecic of copper and silver adheres the wire ends together and to the titanium.

Description

United States Patent 11 1 Purdy 1 1 Dec. 2, 1975 [751 Inventor: David L. Purdy, Indiana, Pa.
173} Assignee: Arco Medical Products Company, Leechburg, Pa.
22 Filed: Dec. 7,1971
21 Appl. No.: 205,591
Related U.S. Application Data [601 Division of Ser. No. 817,271, April 14, 1969, Pat. No. 3,649,367, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 554,874, June 2, 1966, abandoned.
[52] US. Cl. 136/20]; 29/4731; 29/492; 29/573; 136/202; 136/205; 136/224;
[51] Int. Cl H01v U114 [58] Field of Search 136/202, 205, 211, 224, 136/225, 226, 230, 237, 201; 75/173 C;
[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,638,943 8/1927 Little 136/211 1,666,919 4/1928 Steurer 136/225 X 2,279,831 4/1942 Lempert et a1. 75/173 C X 2,312,022 2/1943 Brooks 136/211 X 2,429,200 10/1947 Bradley ct a1. 136/224 X 2,520,955 9/1950 Okress et a1. 75/173 C X 2,562,696 7/1951 Canada 136/226 X 2,915,575 12/1959 Thomas 136/223 3,019,278 1/1962 Fischer.. 136/230 X 3,060,252 10/1962 Willis 136/230 3,065,533 11/1962 Dungan et a1. 29/4731 X 3,075,030 1/1963 Elm et a1. 136/223 X 3,171,519 3/1965. Nolte 29/4731 X 3,214,833 11/1965 Erickson 29/4731 3,357,866 12/1967 Belofsky 136/202 3,386,158 6/1968 Milch ct a1 29/473.1 3,388,008 6/1968 Campana ct a1... 136/202 X 3,432,913 3/1969 Bronnes et a1..... 29/4731 X 3,449,173 6/1969 Rupprecht et a1. 136/205 3,455.663 7/1969 Fdanuk 75/173 C X OTHER PUBLICATIONS Beggs, IRE Transactions on Component Parts," PGCP, Vol. C-P4, No. 1, PP- 2831, (1957).
Primary ExaminerBenjamin R. Padgett Assistant E.\'aminerE. A. Miller Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Hymen Diamond; John R. Ewbank [57] ABSTRACT There is disclosed a heart pacer including a radioactive thermoelectric generator having a primary source of energy of radioactive material in a fuel capsule about which a thermoelectric converter is wound. The converter includes a large number of wires of positive and negative thermoelectric materials which are woven as warp into a thermoelectric cloth whose woof is of insulating threads. Several layers of this thermoelectric cloth are included in a tape having an outer sheet of radiation heat-shielding material. Thermoelectric junctions are formed of the ends of the wires of positiive and negative material in grooves of ceramic tabs. The grooves are coated with titanium. A eutecic of copper and silver adheres the wire ends together and to the titanium.
1 Claim, 17 Drawing Figures US. Patant Dec. 2, 1975 Sheet 1 of4 3,923,551
FIG]
\ PULSER US. Patam Dec. 2, 1975 Sheet 3 of4 3,923,551
NNN
mwm
, mjmad P3950 mvm mmm mmm mmm US. atent Dec. 2, 1975 FIGJO clear epoxy. This epoxy is transparent so that the surgeon has a clear view to assure the final connection of the heart lead to the terminal.
All components of the generator made in the practice of this invention are ceramic or metal. To avoid degradation of the vacuum, organic materials are not used within the titanium envelope. The materials from which the radiation shields are made are self-gettering and the vacuum, rather than to degrade, improves over the life of the unit. Connections are made with high conductivity copper conductor straps, as well as extremely lowheat fluxes to minimize the temperature gradients. Typically a generator according to this invention with the pulser can be constructed to fit within a 2.8 x x 6 centimeter envelope.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of this invention, both as to its organization and as to its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, reference is made to the following description, taken in connection with the drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a view in transverse section of a heart pacer according to this invention;
FIG. 2 is a view in section taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a view in section taken along line III--III of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a view in section taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the portion of FIG. 1 encircled by circle V;
FIG. 6 is a plan view of the tape of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 through 5; 7
FIG. 7 is a view in end elevation of this tape;
FIG. 8 is an enlarged view in section taken along line VIII-VIII of FIG. 6;
FIG. 9 is an enlarged diagrammatic view of the tape showing how the thermoelectric strands are connected;
FIG. 10 is a plan view enlarged of an end tab to which the thermoelectric strands are connected;
FIG. 1 1 is a view in side elevation enlarged of this end tab;
FIG. 12 is a view in end elevation enlarged of this end tab;
FIGS. 13A and 13B are plan views enlarged of a single groove of an end tab showing how the ends of the thermoelectric strands are connected in the grooves of the end tabs;
FIGS. 14A and 14B are views in end elevation of the structures shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B; and
FIG. 15 is a schematic of apparatus according to this invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT The apparatus shown in the drawings includes a Fuel Capsule, a Tape wound in spirals about the Fuel Capsule, a Capsule Support Spider, a Pulser and an Output Cable. The Fuel Capsule, Tape, and Spider are in a container formed by welding two cupshaped halves 18 and 20 together.
The Capsule includes a plurality of radioactive units 21, 23, 25. Each unit includes an inner tube or sheath 27 within which there is a wire or bar 29 of radioactive material. The inner tube is enclosed within a middle tube or sheath 31. The tubes 31 are disposed in the partitions 33 (FIG. 2) of an outer can 35. Each of the tubes 27 and 31 and the partitions of 33 are sealed by a plug 4 37, 39, 41 (FIG. 2) respectively welded to the associated tube.
Typically the fuel wires consists of standard purity plutonium 238 metal in the form of a small extruded wire approximately 1 inch long and about 0.022 inches in diameter in each of three cylindrical capsule liners or tubes 27. The inner or primary tube 27 is made of Ta- 10W* alloy and is capable of containing the pressure of the helium generated by the Pu 238 under the most severe credible accidents. The cylinder wall of each tube 27 is 0.030 inches thick and the end plug is 0.060 inches thick. Approximately 400% void volume is provided in the capsule to allow for ease of assembly and fuel form flexibility. The available data on materials compatibility indicate that there is no likelihood of damage from lack of compatability of Ta-lOW with Pu metal under the anticipated conditions of operation for the life of the generator. There is sound reason to believe that the generator would be safe under all credible thermal excursions including that caused by a high octane gasoline fire l 300C) for periods up to five hours. Additional safety can be achieved by available flexibility which allows for use, in alternative practice of this invention, of a Zr-Pu fuel alloy or an additional encapsulation of Zr or l-If that would delay the dissolution attack of the container by forming a high melting point alloy with the plutonium at the interface. *For brevity alloys are herein described in abbreviated form. The first chemical symbol describes the major component and the numbers before subsequent symbols the content of these components. Ta-IOW is an alloy of tantalum-tungsten with Ta and 10% W.
The Ta-10W tube 27 is protected from high-temperature oxidation by the Hastelloy C tube or sheath 31. Hastelloy C is selected because it has resistance to the corrosive effects of a broad spectrum of chemical reagents as well as resistance to oxidation at high temperatures. The Hastelloy sheath is 0.009in. thick with 0.060 end plugs. Additional corrosion protection is obtained by a 0.001 inch coating of Pt over the Hastelloy which is provided to prevent reactions with the Ti outer can 35 during possible thermal excursions.
The three individual tubes 31 are contained in the outer can 35 of Ti to fix them in the required position and to facilitate the joining of the thermocouples to the heat source. Titanium is selected for ease and reliability of joining, high-strength-weight ratio, and because it has unique resistance to a broad spectrum of chemical reagents in which accidental immersion may be postulated. The use of Ti-O.2 Pd alloy, in alternative practice of this invention, allows the broadening of this spectrum to cover reducing reagents as well as oxidizing reagents.
The tube 27 is filled with helium or argon or other inert gas at about one atmosphere pressure and then the plug 37 is welded to its rim by electron-beam or tungsten-arc welding. The helium provides the thermal conductivity between the wire 29 and the Ta-lOW wall. The tube 31 and the partitions 33 are evacuated and the plugs 39 and 41 sealed to their rims by electronbeam welding.
Alternative Fuel Capsules in the practice of this invention may include Pu02 as fuel. In addition platinum may replace the Hastelloy C alloy for the tube 31 where higher absorption of gamma rays is demanded.
The Fuel Capsule is supported by a Capsule Support Spider at each end. Each Spider (FIGS. 2 and 3) includes a T-plate or bracket 51, whose web 53 and cross 1 METHOD OF MAKING A THERMOIPILE WITH INSULATINGLY SEPARATE .IUNCTIONS ON AN ALUMINA INSULATOR C ROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLIC ATIONS This application is a division of Ser. No. 817,271 filed Apr. 14, 1969, now US. Pat. 3,649,367 granted Mar. 14, 1972 for Electrical Generator which is itself a continuation of application Ser. No. 554,874 filed June 2, 1966 for Electrical Generator and now abandoned.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to the generation of electrical energy and has particular relationship to completely self-sufficient generators which create electrical energy in places where no other sources than such generators are available. Among the devices for which such a generator can serve as a power supply are cardiac pacemakers or heart pacers.
A heart pacer supplies electrical pulses to the heart of a patient or subject to drive the pumping muscles of the heart. The pacer includes a pulse generator embedded below the abdomen of a subject and an electrode in driving engagement with the heart. The electrode is connected to the generator through a cable. The cathode pole of the pulse supply is at the electrode; the anode pole is grounded in the generator. Each pulse is typically a square-wave pulse having a duration of about 1.5 milliseconds. Typically the pulse current is between 4 and milliamperes; the load supplied by the pulses is 300 to 700 ohms paralleled by a capacitance of 0.25 microfarads and resistance of 1000 ohms. The frequency of the pulses depends on the subject and typically is 70 plus or minus 5 per minute for humans and 120 plus or minus 5 per minute for dogs. The generator should deliver a voltage of about 6 volts. The installation of a pacer in a subject demands major surgery.
In pacemakers in accordance with the teachings of the prior art the supply is a battery of long-life cells, such as MERCURY cells. But the life of such a battery is at most two or three years and in the light of the danger to the subject of loss of battery power and the surgery required to replace batteries a much longer-life power supply is required. To overcome this disadvantage of the prior art, a generator is provided which includes a central radioactive fuel capsule about which is wound spirally, thermoelectric cloth having embedded therein strands of thermocouple material. Radiation foil insulation is wound between the layers of thermoelectric cloth. Typically, the thermoelectric cloth may be formed by spinning thermal insulating thread, for example quartz thread, as woof on the thermoelectric strands as warp. The thread may be the warp and the thermoelectric strands the woof but his has the disadvantage that the relatively stiff metal strands must be turned under and over the yieldable quartz thread rather than the converse. Alternate thermoelectric strands are of opposite polarity materials and the ends of adjacent strands are conductively joined so that the opposite-polarity strands of the tape form a thermopile of long thermocouples in series.
The tape is wound so that the ends of the thermoelectric strand on the inside of the spiral are contiguous to the capsule and form the hot junction of the pile. The
ends of the tape on the outsie of the spiral form the cold junction.
To achieve the desired voltage which may be about six volts, it is necessary that a large number of thermocouples of the wires in the tape be connected in series and for this purpose it is necessary that the hot and cold junctions be formed of the wire ends of wires of opposite thermoelectric polarity. In these junctions the wire ends must be joined in firm electrical contact and the junctions must be effectively insulated from each other. It is an object of this invention to achieve this desidera tion; that is, to provide an electrical component including sets of wires having terminal ends to be joined in firm electrical contact with the joined terminal ends of different sets of the wires effectively insulated from each other.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with this invention, there are provided alumina tabs having grooves. Each groove has a coating of a titanium, which adheres to the ceramics, the coatings in different grooves being separated and insulated from each other. Copper and silver brazing metal is deposited on the coating in each groove and the wire ends of the different sets of wires are fused in by the brazing metal and are joined in firm electrical contact.
There is also provided in accordance with this invention a thermoelectric tape with heat-radiation reflecting material over its surface.
The generator according to this invention has the following advantages:
l. Optimum ratio of thermocouple length to diameter; the thermal conduction path is then long assuring maximum temperature diference, at the same time there is adequate internal power attenuation not subject to short-circuits.
2. Ruggedness and capability of resistance to shock.
3. Minimum space geometry; that is, small dimensions.
4. Adaptability to large scale mechanized production and testing.
Typically, Cupron Special and Tophel Special thermocouple strands may be included in the tape and they may be connected in parallel redundancy for optimum reliability. Cupron Special is a copper-nickel-manganese alloy, typically 59.5% Cu, 40% Ni, .5 Mn; Tophel Special is a copper-nickel alloy typically Cu, 10% Ni. The strands spiral from the central fuel source and occupy the space between the radiation foil vacuum insulation. The thermocouples are attached to the capsule at one end and the heat rejection sink which is the container exterior at the other. The thermocouples are woven as the lengthwise fibers into quartz cloth and are electrically insulated from each other by the laterally woven quartz fibers. This construction combines excellent insulating properties with shock and vibration support. Typically, an external case of titanium, selected for its inertness to body fluids as well as its favorable strength-to-weight ratio, hermetically encloses the bundle formed by the central fuel core and the spirally wound thermocouple ribbons with their interleaved radiation shields. In making the generator, the case with its contents is sealed by electronbeam welding in a high vacuum. The power leads are brought, typically, through alumina ceramic-to-metal seals into another hermetically sealed chamber containing the heart pacer pulser. Another ceramic-tometal seal conducts the signal to a terminal sealed in 7 of the end couple 181 of Tape 165 is connected to the output conductor 183 (FIG. 1) from the generator. Typically each tape 151 through 165 has 424 thermocouple wires; these are connected to form 106 hot junctions and 107 cold junctions.
To assemble the generator, the tapes 151 to 165 and the copper straps 145 are placed in a fixture which supports the tapes in the proper orientation with respect to the copper straps at both ends of the tapes. Theh copper tabs 141 and 143, which have been pre-attached to the ceramic tabs 121 and 123 to which the thermocouple ends have been brazed, are joined to the copper heat transfer straps 145 located at both ends of the thermocouple tapes 151 through 165 by spot brazing with Cu-Ag alloy. The eight tapes are thereby combined into a single unified thermocouple assembly of the proper length and dimensions which can be entirely pretested before going on to the next step of assembly. The next step consists in attaching the tensile support wires 63, 65, 67 to the Fuel Capsule, placing the end thermal insulation 171 between the three support wires at each end, and affixing the tensile support wires to the support T-brackets 51 which have been pre-fixed to an assembly fixture. The assembly fixture is constructed so that the brackets 51 are held at the proper separation for insertion and fastening into the case 83. Care is taken to exert appropriate tension on the wires when they are fastened to the bracket. The insulation 171 (FIG. 2) is positioned within the tensile wires 63, 65, 67 and the fixture can be rotated about an axis passing through the center of the Fuel Capsule. Next the hotjunction end of the copper terminal thermocouple strap 145 is attached around the Fuel Capsule by first positioning the end of the terminal strap 145 into the groove provided in the Fuel Capsule and spot brazing the strap to the Capsule. The cold junction thermal joint is then attached to the copper strap 173 provided in half 18 of the container. This joint is made by spot brazing the ends of the copper straps 173 together with copper-silver eutectic alloy. The Fuel Capsule which is still affixed to its winding fixture is now rotated around its axis until the thermocouple tape assembly 151 through 165 is wound around the central axis, and the spider is then fastened to the brackets provided in the interior of the container. The hermetic lead 183 which is a thin fiat strap, is attached to the electrical terminal on the thermocouple assembly, thus completing the electrical connection.
The unit, exclusive of the Pulser, is now placed in a high vacuum outgassing device and a vacuum provided where it will be outgassed at a temperature of 500C until the pressure in the system is reduced to millimeters of mercury. This drives off any residual water vapor, adsorbed gas or other contaminants which could, over the anticipated 10 year life, degrade the system and cause generator failure. The vacuum is broken with pure, dry argon after which the half of the container is placed over the half 18. The assembled unit is then placed in a chill block fixture, evacuated to 10 mm of Hg, and electron-beam welded. This procedure ensures cleanliness and freedom from degrading contaminants which, as indicated above, may adversely affect the operation of the system over its lifetime.
The Pulser includes a hermetically sealed casing 201 mounted on the half 18 of the container adjacent to the point where the conductor 183 extends from the hot electrical terminal of the thermopile. Within the container 201 there is a pulse producing device 203 including solid state valves or transistors. Typically the pulse producing device may be a free-running multivibrator with its impedances set to produce the pulses of the desired duration having the desired amplitudes and the desired on and off times. In a typical situation the pulse producer produces pulses of 2 millisecond durations at intervals of 500 milliseconds. The pulses have an amplitude of 6 milliamperes. The steady-state conduction of the device is about 3 microamperes.
The pulsing device has only one input terminal connected through a ceramic-to-metal feed-through connector 204 (FIG. 2), a conductor 205 and another ceramic-to-metal feed-through connector 207, sealed through the half 18 of the container, to the conductor 183. The conductor 183 impresses about 6 volts negative on this input terminal. The opposite terminal of the pulser is grounded to the same ground as the grounded terminal of the thermopile. The pulsing device includes an output conductor 221 (FIG. 4) extending out of the container 201 and connected to a connector ring 223 to which it transmits the pulses produced.
The Pulser is molded in a generally rectangular mass 225 of transparent epoxy resin. The conductor 221 is embedded in this mass. The mass 225 includes a tubular opening 227 intermediate whose ends the ring 223 is molded. The opening 227 tapers slightly from both of its ends towards the ring 223.
The Output Cable includes a coiled conductor 231 typically of Eligloy alloy. The conductor 231 is enclosed in a flexible tube 233 preferably of silicone rubher which is enclosed in an insulating sheath 235 typically of silicone rubber. A stud 237 having a generally frusto-conical center portion 239 from which a screw 241 extends is secured in the end of the sheath 235. The conductor 231 is connected to the attenuated end 238 of the stud 237. The Output Cable also includes a connector nut 243. This nut 243 is slotted at one end 245 and carries an internal thread 247 at the other. There is a neck between the ends 245 and 247 on which an O ring 249 is mounted. By turning the slotted head 245, the screw 241, frusto-conical portion 239, sheath 235 and the parts attached to it are pulled towards the ring 223 in one direction and the nut 243 and O ring 249 are pulled in the opposite direction. The ring 223 has a tapered inner surface which is engaged in firm electrical contact by the portion 239. The O ring seals the tapered hole 227 on one side and projections 251 on the outside of the sheath 235 seal the hole on the other side.
In the use of this apparatus the power generated by the therrnopile energizes the Pulser which supplies pulses to actuate the heart.
Table I below shows the principal components included in the apparatus in accordance with this invention and the reasons for their selection:
TABLE I Reason Item for Selection Fuel (Preferred) Description Pu-238 metal wire (Alternate-l PuO (Alternate-2) Pu-238 metal of special member 55 have holes to reduce weight. Each web 53 has a wire support pin 57 at its end and the cross member 55 has like pins 59 and 61 at its ends. Capsule- support wires 63, 65, and 67, diverging from a center plate 68 (FIG. 2) to which they are secured at points that are about equally spaced, pass over the pins 57, 59 and 61 respectively and through spring tabs 69, 71 and 73 and are secured in grooves 75, 77, 79 respectively. The spring tabs 69, 71, 73 tension the wires 63, 65, 67. The tabs 69, 71, 73 are included to provide necessary damping and spring action against dynamic motion of the Fuel Capsule relative to the insulation and thermoelectric parts insuring impact and vibration protection. The cross members 55 of the T-plates 51 are each bolted to an angle 81 (FIG. 2) secured to the outside wall 83 of the generator. The plates 68 are secured to the ends of the Fuel Capsule.
Typically the T-plate 51 and the wires 63, 65, 67 may be composed of Ti-6Al-4V alloy. The wires 63, 65, 67 are of 0.005 inch diameter. The wires have an annealed tensile strength of about 130,000 pounds per square inch and are adequae to constrain the motion of the capsule. In addition to the mechanical considerations, the Ti-6AI-4V alloy is chosen for its low thermal conductivity in comparison with other high tensile strength wires. This assures a low heat loss through these wires.
The heat developed by the Fuel Capsule is converted into electricity by a thermoelectric pile embedded in the Tape. The thermoelectric pile includes a plurality of thermocouples 89 (FIG. 9) each composed of a pair of different wires 91 and 93 one electrically negative, or having excessive electrons, designated N and the other having excessive holes, designated P. The wires are connected at their ends in parallel in double pairs (FIGS. 8 and 9) to form hot junctions 92 at the Fuel Capsule and cold junctions 94 on the outside of the Tape. Typically, the wires 91 may be of CUPRON alloy and the wires 93 of TOPI-IEL alloy.
The Tape is composite and is made up of six layers (FIG. 8). There is a heat radiation reflecting layer 95 typically composed of Titanium-Zirconium foil. There are two layers 97 and 99 of thermoelectric cloth in which the wires 91 and 93 form the warp and electrical and thermal insulating threads 101 and 103, typically quartz threads, form the woof. The quartz threads 101 and 103 cross on both sides of the wires 91 and 93 at cross-over points 105 so that the wires 91 and 93 are thermally and electrically insulated from each other. There are layers 107, 109, 1 1 1 of thermally and electrically insulating cloth, typically quartz cloth, respectively between the radiation-reflecting layer 95 and the thermoelectric layer 97, the layer 97 and the layer 99, and the layer 99 and the reflectting layer 95 of the adjacent tum of Tape. The thermal radiation shield 95 of each layer of Tape extends beyond the thermoelectric cloth layers 101 and 103 and the insulating cloth layers 107, 109 and 111.
Each Tape includes a pair of ceramic connection tabs 121 and 123 (FIGS. 6, 9, 13A, 13B, 14A, 14B) one for the hot junction 92 and the other for the cold junction 94. The tabs 121 and 123 may be composed of a material such as alumina which is thermally conducting but electrically insulating. Each tab has a plurality of grooves 125 which are coated with a brazing compound 127, typically copper-silver. The layers 129 and 131 of copper and silver may be deposited on a titanium layer 133 (FIG. 14A) by evaporation or electroplating; the titanium is deposited by evaporation or fusion.
The ends of the thermocouple wires 91 and 93 extend freely from the thermocouple cloth. The junctions 92 and 94 are formed for each Tape by placing the ends in the grooves coated with the layers 129, 131, 133 and heating the entire unit including the Tape and tabs 121 and 123 to the eutectic temperature of the brazing compound 127 which for copper-silver is 790C. The compound 127 fuzes around the ends of the wires 91 and 93 (FIGS. 13B, 1413).
In view of the manner in which the wires 91 and 93 are woven into the cloth 97, 99 the proper placement of the wires in the required groove 127 is natural and presents no problem. The bottom of the alumina ceramic tabs 121 and 123 are brazed to thin tabs 141 and 143 of copper (FIGS. 1, 6, 9, 11, 12) which are then spot-brazed to a copper strap 145 (FIGS. 1, 2, 3., 5) which is later connected to the fuel capsule and to the external surface respectively of the generator. The copper tabs 141 and 143 are bent to compensate for thermal expansion and manufacturing tolerances which stress the Tape. The copper tabs 143 to which the ceramic is attached at the cold junctions 94 have small convolutions 147 (FIG. 1) to accommodate relative length changes in the tape during manufacturing and operations. This technique allows the ceramic 123 to essentially float with a thin copper piece which cannot stress it. The copper-silver eutectic does not wet the surface of the ceramic 121 or 123 and does not short out the junctions 92 or 94 by the flowing over from junction to junction. It only wets the titanium 133 (FIG. 14A) and the thermocouple wires 91 and 93.
A plurality of Tapes 151, 153, 155, 157, 159, 161, 163, (FIG. 1) are wound spirally from a hot position contiguous to the Fuel Casule to a position contiguous to the external container wall 83 of the generator. Each tape has ceramic terminals 121 and 123 on each side. The hot-junction ceramics 121 of the Tapes 151 through 165 are distributed around the periphery of the Fuel Capsule and the cold-junction ceramics 123 are distributed (spaced) along a portion of the half wall 18.
The Tapes 151 to 165 start from positions spaced.
around the periphery of the Fuel Capsule and terminate at positions spaced along the inside of wall 83 and are interwound. The overlapping ends (FIG. 8) of the radiation-shields 95 of the tapes form a generally frusto-conical internal surface terminating at the wires 63 of the Capsule Support Spider. The interior of this surface is filled with sheets 171 of the titanium-zirconium thermal-radiation reflecting foil.
The hot junctions 92 of the Tape are connected in thermal interchange relationship with the Capsule through the copper strap 145 which is brazed to the Fuel Capsule. The cold junctions 94 are connected thermally to the wall 93 which is brazed to a connecting strap 173, in turn brazed to outer strap 145, in turn brazed to flexible connector or tab 143. The cold junction 94 of the end couple 175 (FIG. 15) on one side of the ceramic 123 connected to Tape 151 is electrically grounded to the wall 83. The cold junction of the end couple 177 on the opposite side is electrically connected to the cold junction of the adjacent end couple of the succeeding tape 153 through a strap 179 and the cold junction on the opposite side is likewise connected to the adjacent end couple of the next Tape 155 and so on, each strap 179 connecting the couples of a Tape, in series with the couples of the others. The cold junction TABLE I-continued Reason Reason hem Description for Selection Item Description for Selection purity radiation level. thicker, more reliable Capsule Triple capsule Low surface dose rate. case. Excellent Geometry Minimum thickness. weldability when Maximum Strength protected from the Primary Fuel Tantalum-% tungsten Excellent compatibility atmosphere. Good Capsule (lnner alloy with fuels. High strength formability. Good bond Unit 21 at elevated temperatures strength to epoxyv 2 22 helium Essentially pure material ure. Second Fuel Hastelloy C" High temperature z e ia llii r g ic a l d e f e c Capsule (Middle oxidation resistance- Case Closure Electron-Beam Welding Ease of weld fixturing Sheath Resistance to corrosion Method Small heat applied 2...... attack by industrial Vacuum seal off at time chemicals. Excellent of weld. high emper r Potting Clear Epoxy Excellent history of SSrIItIaEiITInbIJIfigyVSV-Ith Compound tipmpatibility innbody. Reaction Barrier Platinum Prevention of the f gs z g zg development of low con nection bein made melting point phases thereb assurin g between Hastenoy 0' im lan iation rel iabilit and titanium Excellent Resistant to water y. high temperature P oxidation resistance. q row f Excellent resistance to em moummg o chemical attack. electronic components Third Fuel Titanium-0.2% Palladium Corrosion resistance to a Connecuons' May be Capsule (Outer alloy broad range of chemical jf gfii g 'g jzfifg can zggi gzbsg s 'lommg 25 Electrical Lead Coiled Elgiloy Alloy High strength-coil Excellent oxidation 'Q F res'hency' resistanca reliability bond on Thermocouple Spiral Wind Ease of integration into extended lift Geometry insulation. Maximum f corrosion diameter wire in small i volume. High reliability. 3() g i gzg'y companblhty gfgfg gg g i Lead Insulation Silicon Rubber Excellent resiliency. diameter in a minimum Excelleflt l llst?ry of of space. Allows for an compatlb'my Y- all ceramic to metal l electrical System with high insulation. May be reliability. High surface 3 5 autoclaved, wi range area brazed joints allow of F temperaturei for complete open Resistant to water assembly t'ixturing. Ease El H swelling of manufacture and ESL ectrodes Cathode C hardack Successful operating Thermoq uple Cupron Special-Tophel Ease of brazing and ele ctrde wlth 50 cm Material Special joining. Best figure of sPlral Elglloy def-node merits of state-of-the-art 40 I thermopile materials Generator Vacuum Allows for minimum having good mechanical lmeflor for properties. Stability of Environment maximum llfe- {\Volds metallurgical, 8* Pressure bulld p h i l, and leaks. Provides compositional d ultraclean environment electrical properties. P 'F- f fl Readily available in JUN-lion 200C Provides minimum of desired wire diameters. Temperature fuel loading at maximum Good mechanical efficiency point. Long properties. High life, High reliability. li ili Large L/A Thermocouple Brazed Ceramic High reliability. Ease of possible. No DC to DC flg assembly. Large surface converter required. area low resistivity joint. Thermal Vacuum, High performance. All ceramics and metal. Radiation Titanium-Zirconium Minimum thermal loss. Utilizes state-of-the-art lnsulation Radiation Shields with Easily integrated into brazes. Automatically Spiral Wind spiral wind. Self interconnects circuit.
gettering of vacuum in Ease of check out. High case. shock resistant Electrical Quartz cloth. Spiral Wind Can be woven with construction. insulation thermocouple wires for Reinforced ceramic lowdcost assesmbly in s}t1ructui1'e. Cushioned pro uction. paces t erma connectors. thermocouples f ease Capsule Support Tensile wire (63, 65, 67) High strength. Minimum of assembly. Supports thermal loss. Cushioned and cushions impact. Ease of thermocouple wires. assembly. Supports Titanium Can be outgassed at high temperatures. Separates irradiation shields. Stable operation in vacuum.
Excellent compatibility with human tissue. Electrochemically inert. Corrosion resistance to body fluids. Good ductility and strength. Low density allows Brazed Joints radiation shields. Easily joins to wall of capsule. High vibration and shock resistance. Maximum reliability. Simplicity of assembly. Excellent heat transfer. High temp. outgassing capability.
Typically, a heart pacer according to this invention has the properties outlined in the following Table II.
TABLE II Pulse Characteristics (a) Current 4 to milliamperes into 300 to 700 ohms paralleled by ,25 microfarad and l ,000 ohm resistor (b) Shape L5 millisecond duration rectangular pulse (c) Rate l. Human 70 plus or minus 5 per minute 2. Animal 120 plus or minus 5 per minute Power supply (a) Type Metallic couples of Tophel Special and Cupron Special Alloys (b) Circuitry Series-parallel (c) Fuel Plutonium 238 metal (d) Total Power Output 162 microwatts Overall Characteristics (a) Size 6 X 5 X 2.8 centimeters No radius smaller than .5 centimeters (b) Weight 97.5 grams Specific Gravity 1.4 (can be decreased with decrease in weight effected by removal of extra insulating tapes) Between 1.5 and mrem/hr on surface of system (c) External Radiation (d) Electrodes Cathode Spiral Elgiloy Alloy wire Anode Titanium (Electrochemically Noble metal) 3l6L SS can also be used (e) Operating Lifetime (b) Interface Hermetically sealed, non-reactive TABLE lI-continued (c) Shock ((1) Vibration While a preferred embodiment has been disclosed herein, many modifications thereof are feasible. This invention then is not to be restricted except insofar as is necessitated by the prior art.
What is claimed is:
1. The method of forming a thermopile formed of hundreds of thermoelectric conductors, the said thermopile including an alumina insulator having thereon an electrical junction including a plurality of sets of said thermoelectric conductors, each set forming thermocouples of said thermopile having terminal ends at said junction, the said method including the steps of depositing on spaced regions of said insulator a first layer of titanium which adheres to said insulator, the deposit on each region being insulated from the deposit on other regions, depositing on said first layer a second layer of copper, depositing on said second layer a third layer of silver, said second and third metals when heated to a eutectic temperature forming a eutectic which wets said first metal but does not wet said insulator, disposing said terminal ends of said sets on said layers, and heating said layers to said temperature to form a junction of said first layer, said eutectic and said terminal ends, said junctions being insulated from each other.

Claims (1)

1. THE METHOD OF FORMING A THERMOPILE FORMED OF HUNDREDS OF THERMOELECTRIC CONDUCTORS, THE SAID THERMOPILE INCLUDING AN ALUMINA INSULATOR HAVING THEREON AN ELECTRICAL JUNCTION INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF SETS OF SAID THERMOELECTRIC CONDUCTORS, EACH SET FORMING THERMOCOUPLES OF SAID THERMOPILE HAVING TERMINAL ENDS AT SAID JUNCTION, THE SAID METHOD INCLUDING THE STEPS OF DEPOSITING ON SPACED REGIONS OF SAID INSULATOR A FIRST LAYER OF TITANIUM WHICH ADHERES TO SAID INSULATOR, THE DEPOSIT ON EACH REGION BEING INSULATED FROM THE DEPOSIT ON OTHER REGIONS, DEPOSITING ON SAID FIRST LAYER A SECOND LAYER OF COPPER, DEPOSITING ON SAID SECOND LAYER A THIRD LAYER OF SILVER, SAID SECOND AND THIRD METALS WHEN HEATED TO A EUTECTIC TEMPERATURE FORMING A EUTECTIC WHICH WETS SAID FIRST METAL BUT DOES NOT WET SAID INSULATOR, DISPOSING SAID TERMINAL ENDS OF SAID SETS ON SAID LAYERS, AND HEATING SAID LAYERS TO SAID TEMPERATURE TO FORM A JUNCTION OF SAID FIRST LAYER, SAID EUTECTIC AND SAID TERMINAL ENDS, SAID JUNCTION BEING INSULATED FROM EACH OTHER.
US205591A 1966-06-02 1971-12-07 Method of making a thermopile with insulatingly separate junctions on an alumina insulator Expired - Lifetime US3923551A (en)

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US4284838A (en) * 1979-06-07 1981-08-18 Indech Robert B Thermoelectric converter and method
US4465894A (en) * 1983-04-07 1984-08-14 Ecd-Anr Energy Conversion Company Substrateless thermoelectric device and method of making same
US4727633A (en) * 1985-08-08 1988-03-01 Tektronix, Inc. Method of securing metallic members together
US4807796A (en) * 1986-11-14 1989-02-28 U.S. Philips Corporation Method of soldering aluminum-oxide ceramic components
US4883218A (en) * 1989-03-17 1989-11-28 Gte Laboratories Incorporated Method of brazing a ceramic article to a metal article
US4988034A (en) * 1987-12-25 1991-01-29 Ngk Spark Plug Co., Ltd. Mechanical part having ceramic and metal sections soldered together and method of producing same
US5055361A (en) * 1989-03-17 1991-10-08 Gte Laboratories Incorporated Bonded ceramic-metal article
US20030192582A1 (en) * 2002-04-10 2003-10-16 Hector Guevara Thermal electric generator
US20040025930A1 (en) * 2000-12-01 2004-02-12 Edouard Serras Method for manufacturing thermoelectric converters
US20050248447A1 (en) * 2004-05-10 2005-11-10 Majdi Yaqub Thermoelectric tire pressure monitor sensor
US20080029146A1 (en) * 2006-04-13 2008-02-07 Commissariat A L'energie Atomique Thermoelectric structure and use of the thermoelectric structure to form a textile structure
US20080110963A1 (en) * 2006-04-26 2008-05-15 Watlow Electric Manufacturing Company Methods of securing a thermocouple to a ceramic substrate
WO2007142934A3 (en) * 2006-05-31 2008-12-24 Digital Angel Corp Thermoelectric generator with micro-electrostatic energy converter
US20090025771A1 (en) * 2003-05-19 2009-01-29 Digital Angel Corporation low power thermoelectric generator
US20110094556A1 (en) * 2009-10-25 2011-04-28 Digital Angel Corporation Planar thermoelectric generator
US12181351B2 (en) 2018-02-28 2024-12-31 Arthur Beckman Thermopile assembly providing a massive electrical series of wire thermocouple elements

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US4284838A (en) * 1979-06-07 1981-08-18 Indech Robert B Thermoelectric converter and method
US4465894A (en) * 1983-04-07 1984-08-14 Ecd-Anr Energy Conversion Company Substrateless thermoelectric device and method of making same
US4727633A (en) * 1985-08-08 1988-03-01 Tektronix, Inc. Method of securing metallic members together
US4807796A (en) * 1986-11-14 1989-02-28 U.S. Philips Corporation Method of soldering aluminum-oxide ceramic components
US4988034A (en) * 1987-12-25 1991-01-29 Ngk Spark Plug Co., Ltd. Mechanical part having ceramic and metal sections soldered together and method of producing same
US4883218A (en) * 1989-03-17 1989-11-28 Gte Laboratories Incorporated Method of brazing a ceramic article to a metal article
US5055361A (en) * 1989-03-17 1991-10-08 Gte Laboratories Incorporated Bonded ceramic-metal article
US7205472B2 (en) * 2000-12-01 2007-04-17 Institut Francais Du Petrole Method for manufacturing thermoelectric converters
US20040025930A1 (en) * 2000-12-01 2004-02-12 Edouard Serras Method for manufacturing thermoelectric converters
US20030192582A1 (en) * 2002-04-10 2003-10-16 Hector Guevara Thermal electric generator
US20090025771A1 (en) * 2003-05-19 2009-01-29 Digital Angel Corporation low power thermoelectric generator
US8269096B2 (en) 2003-05-19 2012-09-18 Ingo Stark Low power thermoelectric generator
US20050248447A1 (en) * 2004-05-10 2005-11-10 Majdi Yaqub Thermoelectric tire pressure monitor sensor
US20080029146A1 (en) * 2006-04-13 2008-02-07 Commissariat A L'energie Atomique Thermoelectric structure and use of the thermoelectric structure to form a textile structure
CN101056481B (en) * 2006-04-13 2012-04-18 原子能委员会 Thermoelectric structure and use of the thermoelectric structure to form a textile structure
US8383926B2 (en) * 2006-04-13 2013-02-26 Commissariat A L'energie Atomique Thermoelectric structure and use of the thermoelectric structure to form a textile structure
US7832616B2 (en) * 2006-04-26 2010-11-16 Watlow Electric Manufacturing Company Methods of securing a thermocouple to a ceramic substrate
US20080110963A1 (en) * 2006-04-26 2008-05-15 Watlow Electric Manufacturing Company Methods of securing a thermocouple to a ceramic substrate
WO2007142934A3 (en) * 2006-05-31 2008-12-24 Digital Angel Corp Thermoelectric generator with micro-electrostatic energy converter
US20090025773A1 (en) * 2006-05-31 2009-01-29 Ingo Stark Thermoelectric generator with micro-electrostatic energy converter
US20110094556A1 (en) * 2009-10-25 2011-04-28 Digital Angel Corporation Planar thermoelectric generator
US12181351B2 (en) 2018-02-28 2024-12-31 Arthur Beckman Thermopile assembly providing a massive electrical series of wire thermocouple elements

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