Abstract:
Thermionic converter with a linear arrangement of the components, suitable for the direct conversion of solar energy into electrical energy and the combined generation of heat and energy, comprising: an elongated vacuum tube (3) which houses a cathode (24; 25; 26; 27; 28) and at least one anode (6), the cathode (24; 25; 26; 27; 28) and said at least one anode (6) being arranged longitudinally alongside each other along the tube (3), wherein the cathode is suspended centrally inside the tube (3) at at least one end (25L) which forms a corresponding current output of the cathode (24; 25; 26; 27; 28), characterized in that the cathode is a cathode in the form of a spiral.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for converting thermal energy electrodynamically into electrical energy comprising a multiphase electrical system with multidirectional energy flow, and electromagnetic transducers for producing two opposing helically moving forces for radially compressing an electrically charged gas, forcing it to expand longitudinally, electromotively transferring its energy to the multiphase electrical system to be effectively harvested by semiconductors. The transducers can be comprised either by concentric helix-coils, by inline stators or by electrodes axially and radially out-of-phase with each other. Originated from radial and axial moving electromagnetic fields, the opposing twisting forces, forming electrodynamic vortices, can withstand higher temperatures, which allow greater efficiencies. For improving even more the conversion efficiency, it further comprises multistage ion collectors to harvest much of remaining residual heat into electricity. Such device can provide highly efficient levels of conversion from any source of thermal energy, including coal, petroleum, burned gases, geothermal, biomass, solar, and nuclear.
Abstract:
Thermionic solar converter with a linear arrangement of the components, suitable for the direct conversion of solar energy into electrical energy and the combined generation of heat and energy, in the form of an elongated transparent vacuum tube comprising: a cathode (5) and at least one anode (6), said cathode and anode being arranged longitudinally alongside each other along the tube: grid electrodes (10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16) for generating electric fields; means (18) for directly cooling the at least one anode; means (7) for electrically connecting the electrodes from the inside to the outside; an optical access window (4) along the surface area of the tube; wherein: the cathode is made of conductive refractory material, is suspended centrally inside the tube with an elongated form and forms the element for capturing the solar energy, on which the sunlight is directly focused in order to perform the thermionic conversion, without any intermediate heat transfer means; the electrical connection means form a longer path and have a form which is able to compensate for the heat expansion; the cathode and the at least one anode have a relative arrangement with a view factor of between 0.001 and 0.5, more preferably between 0.001 and 0.3, more preferably between 0.001 and 0.1, more preferably between 0.001 and 0.05, even more preferably between 0.001 and 0.03; said converter comprising further a radiation shield (9) which is positioned along the inner surface of the tube.
Abstract:
Particulated structures and their method of manufacture for use in an electrical generator employing gas-mediated charge transfer are disclosed. The structures comprise a multiplicity of particles which contain voids between first and second opposing surfaces of said particles. At least a portion of said opposing surfaces are modified such that the charge transferability of said first opposing surfaces differs from the charge transferability of said second opposing surfaces.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method and a device for converting thermal energy into electric energy. An electrochemical concentration cell is operated at a high temperature while supplying heat. Using a mechanical compressor, hydrogen or oxygen is compressed at a low temperature and subsequently supplied to the concentration cell by way of a heat exchanger. The partial pressure difference present produces a flow of ions, which generates an electrical current that can be tapped at the electrodes. The mechanical compressor is operated with a portion of the electric energy. The benefits of fuel cells and Stirling engines are merged in said new cycle.
Abstract:
A current source and method of producing the current source are provided. The current source includes a metal source, a buffer layer, a filter and a collector. An electrical connection is provided to the metal layer and semiconductor layer and a magnetic field applier may be also provided. The source metal has localized states at a bottom of the conduction band and probability amplification. The interaction of the various layers produces a spontaneous current. The movement of charge across the current source produces a voltage, which rises until a balancing reverse current appears. If a load is connected to the current source, current flows through the load and power is dissipated. The energy for this comes from the thermal energy in the current source, and the device gets cooler.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method for directly converting heat energy into electric power consisting in carrying out heat transmission from a moving heat carrier to thermionic elements and in simultaneously heating said heat carrier through a channel wall from the other hotter part thereof, thereby stabilising a temperature in an energy conversion area. Said thermionic elements are disposed in the hermetic enclosure of a thermionic emission generator in the form of segments which form rings around the heat carrier channel in such a way that a screw trajectory is formed when the heat carrier moving from the channel output along the external part thereof in an inverse direction flows though inter-ring spaces, wherein said motion continues until the temperature of a waste flow is reduced in such a way that it is lower than the temperature of thermal emission of electrons. The inventive generator is embodied in the form of a cylindrical enclosure provided with a device for supplying a heat carrier flow from an external source, a device for removing a waste heat carrier flow and thermionic elements which are arranged inside said enclosure in the form of rings assembled from individual segments and interconnected in the form of a single electric circuit.
Abstract:
Tunneling-effect converters of thermal energy to electricity with an emitter and a collector separated from each by a distance that is comparable to atomic dimensions and where tunneling effect plays an important role in the charge movement from the emitter to the collector across the gap separating such emitter and collector. At least one of the emitter and collector structures includes a flexible structure. Tunneling-effect converters include devices that convert thermal energy to electrical energy and devices that provide refrigeration when electric power is supplied to such devices.