公开(公告)号：US11139423B2

公开(公告)日：2021-10-05

申请号：US16780898

申请日：2020-02-03

Applicant: FACE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION

Inventor： Clark D Boyd

IPC: H01L35/34 ,  H01L35/02 ,  H02N2/18 ,  H01J45/00 ,  H01L25/03

Abstract: A method for forming a unique, environmentally-friendly energy harvesting element is provided. A configuration of the energy harvesting element causes the energy harvesting element to autonomously generate renewable energy for use in electronic systems, electronic devices and electronic system components. The energy harvesting element includes a first conductor layer, a low work function layer, a dielectric layer, and a second conductor layer that are particularly configured in a manner to promote electron migration from the low work function layer, through the dielectric layer, to the facing surface of the second conductor layer in a manner that develops an electric potential between the first conductor layer and the second conductor layer. An energy harvesting component is also provided that includes a plurality of energy harvesting elements electrically connected to one another to increase a power output of the electric harvesting component.

公开(公告)号：US20210288237A1

公开(公告)日：2021-09-16

申请号：US17184999

申请日：2021-02-25

Applicant: MTPV Power Corporation

Inventor： Peter L. Hagelstein ,  Dennis M. Wu

IPC: H01L35/32 ,  H01J45/00 ,  H01L35/00 ,  H01L35/34 ,  H02S10/30 ,  H01L35/16

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for thermal-to-electric conversion involving relatively hot and cold juxtaposed surfaces separated by a small vacuum gap wherein the cold surface provides an array of single charge carrier converter elements along the surface and the hot surface transfers excitation energy to the opposing cold surface across the gap through Coulomb electrostatic coupling interaction.

公开(公告)号：US11120977B2

公开(公告)日：2021-09-14

申请号：US15800912

申请日：2017-11-01

Applicant: Modern Electron, LLC

Inventor： Chloe A. M. Fabien ,  Max N. Mankin ,  Tony S. Pan ,  Yong Sun

IPC: B32B15/04 ,  H01J45/00 ,  C23C16/455 ,  C23C14/22 ,  B05D1/00 ,  B05D1/02

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include conductive oxide-coated electrodes and methods of fabricating a conductive oxide-coated electrode. In a non-limiting embodiment, a conductive oxide-coated electrode includes: a conductive layer; and an oxide coating disposed on the conductive layer. In another non-limiting embodiment, a method of fabricating a conductive oxide-coated electrode includes: patterning a conductive layer; etching the patterned conductive layer; and disposing an oxide coating on the etched conductive layer.

公开(公告)号：US20210242003A1

公开(公告)日：2021-08-05

申请号：US16783105

申请日：2020-02-05

Applicant: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC

Inventor： Abdellatif M. Yacout ,  Sumit Bhattacharya

IPC: H01J45/00

Abstract: Provided herein are thermionic converters that are capable of operating at lower temperatures and with increased efficiency as compared to conventional thermionic converters. Also provided are methods of using and making the thermionic converters of the disclosure.

公开(公告)号：US11004666B2

公开(公告)日：2021-05-11

申请号：US16354606

申请日：2019-03-15

Applicant: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE ADMINISTRATOR OF NASA

Inventor： Sang H. Choi ,  Adam J. Duzik

IPC: H01J45/00 ,  G21H1/10

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices of the various embodiments may provide a portable power system for powering small devices that may be small, may be compact, may provide continuous power, and may be lightweight enough for an astronaut to carry. Various embodiments may provide a compact, thermionic-based cell that provides increased energy density and that more efficiently uses a heat source, such as a Pu-238 heat source. Nanometer scale emitters, spaced tightly together, in various embodiments convert a larger amount of heat into usable electricity than in current thermoelectric technology. The emitters of the various embodiments may be formed from various materials, such as copper (Cu), silicon (Si), silicon-germanium (SiGe), and lanthanides. Various embodiments may be added to regenerative thermionic cells with multiple layers to enhance the energy conversion efficiency of the regenerative thermionic cells.

公开(公告)号：US20200335314A1

公开(公告)日：2020-10-22

申请号：US16841327

申请日：2020-04-06

Applicant: Modern Electron, Inc.

Inventor： Stephen E. Clark ,  David A. Degtiarov ,  Gregory A. Kirkos ,  Daniel Kraemer ,  John J. Lorr ,  Max N. Mankin ,  Jason M. Parker ,  Alexander J. Pearse ,  Levi D. Rodriguez ,  Ad de Pijper

IPC: H01J45/00

Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include thermionic energy converters with a thermal concentrating hot shell and emitters for thermionic energy converters. In some embodiments, an illustrative thermionic energy converter includes: an emitter electrode; a hot shell configured to concentrate heat flow toward the emitter electrode; a collector electrode; and a cold shell that is thermally isolated from the hot shell.

公开(公告)号：US20200227615A1

公开(公告)日：2020-07-16

申请号：US16827658

申请日：2020-03-23

Applicant: FACE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION

Inventor： Clark D. Boyd ,  Bradbury R. Face ,  Jeffrey D. Shepard

IPC: H01L35/34 ,  H01L35/02 ,  H02J7/34 ,  H01J45/00 ,  A61N1/378 ,  H01L25/04 ,  H01L25/00

Abstract: A method is provided for producing an electrically-powered device and/or component that is embeddable in a solid structural component, and a system, a produced device and/or a produced component is provided. The produced electrically powered device includes an attached autonomous electrical power source in a form of a unique, environmentally-friendly structure configured to transform thermal energy at any temperature above absolute zero to an electric potential without any external stimulus including physical movement or deformation energy. The autonomous electrical power source component provides a mechanism for generating renewable energy as primary power for the electrically-powered device and/or component once an integrated structure including the device and/or component is deployed in an environment that restricts future access to the electrical power source for servicing, recharge, replacement, replenishment or the like.

公开(公告)号：US20200144039A1

公开(公告)日：2020-05-07

申请号：US16676131

申请日：2019-11-06

Applicant: Spark Thermionics, Inc.

Inventor： Felix Schmitt ,  Jared William Schwede ,  Adam Lorimer

IPC: H01J45/00

Abstract: A system for thermionic energy generation, preferably including one or more thermionic energy converters, and optionally including one or more power inputs, airflow modules, and/or electrical loads. A thermionic energy converter, preferably including an emitter module, a collector module, and/or a seal, and optionally including a spacer. The thermionic energy converter preferably defines a chamber and/or a heating cavity. A method for thermionic energy generation, preferably including receiving power, emitting electrons, and/or receiving the emitted electrons, and optionally including convectively transferring heat.

公开(公告)号：US09922791B2

公开(公告)日：2018-03-20

申请号：US15588362

申请日：2017-05-05

Applicant: Arizona Board of Regents on Behalf of Arizona State University

Inventor： Franz A. M. Koeck ,  Robert J. Nemanich

IPC: H01J45/00 ,  H01J19/30 ,  H01J9/04 ,  H01J9/14 ,  H01J19/06 ,  C30B25/18 ,  C30B25/20 ,  C30B25/16 ,  C30B29/04

CPC classification number: H01J19/30 ,  C30B25/16 ,  C30B25/186 ,  C30B25/20 ,  C30B29/04 ,  H01J9/04 ,  H01J9/14 ,  H01J19/06 ,  H01J45/00

Abstract: An apparatus includes an emitter electrode including a phosphorus doped diamond layer with low work function. The apparatus further includes a collector electrode and a vacuum gap disposed between the emitter and the collector. The collector has a work function of 0.84 eV or less.

公开(公告)号：US20170213611A1

公开(公告)日：2017-07-27

申请号：US13893318

申请日：2013-05-13

Applicant: Rodney T. Cox ,  Hans Walitzki

Inventor： Rodney T. Cox ,  Hans Walitzki

IPC: G21D7/04 ,  G21D1/00 ,  G21G1/02 ,  H01J45/00

CPC classification number: G21D7/04 ,  G21B3/002 ,  G21G1/02 ,  H01J45/00

Abstract: A system and method are provided for generating electric power from relatively low temperature energy sources at efficiency levels not previously available. The present system and method employ recent advances in low energy nuclear reaction technology and thermionic/thermotunneling device technology first to generate heat and then to convert a substantial portion of the heat generated to usable electrical power. Heat may be generated by a LENR system employing nuclear reactions that occur in readily available materials at ambient temperatures without a high energy input requirement and do not produce radioactive byproducts. The heat generated by the LENR system may be transferred through one or more thermionic converter devices in heat transfer relationship with the LENR system to generate electric power.