Abstract:
A high-output energy converter of an output-improving thermionic generator, thermally connected to other generators without moving parts that utilise the residual energy from the thermionic generator. The thermionic generator comprises a rαultilayered vacuum diode, the layers of which are very thin and the gaps between the layers are also thin and kept at a distance from one another by selectively flexible spacer elements. Piezo elements or heating elements can precisely adjust the height of the gaps.
Abstract:
A thermionic or thermotunneling converter consisting of two electrodes maintained at a desired distance from one another by means of spacers in which the electrodes comprise silicon coated with a hard material, or comprise a ceramic or other refractory material. The spacers are formed by oxidizing one electrode, protecting certain oxidized areas and removing the remainder of the oxidized layer. The protected oxidized areas remain as spacers. These spacers have the effect of maintaining the electrodes at a desired distance without the need for active elements, thus greatly reducing costs.
Abstract:
An implantable assembly is disclosed comprising a diode device charging assembly having the means for transferring thermal energy from a living organism to a diode device, means for creating electrical energy from said thermal energy, and means for charging an implantable device with said electrical current. The diode device of this invention is a thermotunneling or thermionic converter. In a preferred embodiment the electrodes of the diode device have been modified to reduce their work function by through the addition a periodically repeating structure comprised of one or more indentations of the dimensions so as to create de Broglie wave interference, leading to a change in electron work function. The implantable assembly utilizes a temperature difference in a body to efficiently generate energy to be harnessed by a wide range of devices.
Abstract:
A thermal electric power generator 100 is installed at a location to which heat based on the heat generation by the engine 50 of a motor vehicle with thermal electric power generator 200, 300 is transmitted, the thermal electric power generator 100 comprising an electron emitter 2 for emitting electrons when heat is applied to the electron emitter 2 and an electron collector 3 for collecting the electrons emitted from the electron emitter, wherein by using the electron collector as a negative electrode and the electron emitter as a positive electrode, the electrons are caused to migrate from the electron collector to thereby generate electric power, and the electric power generated by the thermal electric power generator is supplied to the motor vehicle with thermal electric power generator.
Abstract:
A method of manufacturing a thermal transfer device including providing first and second thermally conductive substrates that are substantially atomically flat, providing a patterned electrical barrier having a plurality of closed shapes on the first thermally conductive substrate and providing a nanotube catalyst material on the first thermally conductive substrate in a nanotube growth area oriented within each of the plurality of closed shapes of the patterned electrical barrier. The method also includes orienting the second thermally conductive substrate opposite the first thermally conductive substrate such that the patterned electrical barrier is disposed between the first and second thermally conductive substrates and providing a precursor gas proximate the nanotube catalyst material to facilitate growth of nanotubes in the nanotube growth areas from the first thermally conductive substrate toward, and limited by, the second thermally conductive substrate. In this thermal transfer device, introduction of current flow between the first and second thermally conductive substrates enables heat transfer between the first and second thermally conductive substrates via a flow of electrons between the first and second thermally conductive substrates.
Abstract:
The present invention comprises a tunneling device in which the collector electrode is modified so that tunneling of higher energy electrons from the emitter electrode to the collector electrode is enhanced. In one embodiment, the collector electrode is contacted with an insulator layer, preferably aluminum oxide, disposed between the collector and emitter electrodes. The present invention additionally comprises a method for enhancing tunneling of higher energy electrons from an emitter electrode to a collector electrode, the method comprising the step of contacting the collector electrode with an insulator, preferably aluminum oxide, and placing the insulator between the collector electrode and the emitter electrode.
Abstract:
A thermotunneling converter is disclosed comprising a pair of electrodes having inner surfaces substantially facing one another, and a spacer or plurality of spacers positioned between the two electrodes, having a height substantially equal to the distance between the electrodes, and having a total cross-sectional area that is less than the cross-sectional area of either of the electrodes. In a preferred embodiment, a vacuum is introduced, and in a particularly preferred embodiment, gold that has been exposed to cesium vapor is used as one or both of the electrodes. In a further embodiment, the spacer is made of small particles disposed between the electrodes. In a yet further embodiment, a sandwich is made containing the electrodes with an unoxidized spacer. The sandwich is separated and the spacer is oxidized, which makes it grow to a required height whilst giving it insulatory properties, to allow for tunneling between the electrodes.
Abstract:
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a Gap Diode is disclosed in which a tubular actuating element serves as both a housing for a pair of electrodes (92) and as a means for controlling the separation between the electrode pair. In a preferred embodiment, the tubular actuating element (90) is a quartz piezoelectric tube. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a Gap Diode is disclosed which is fabricated by micromachining techniques in which the separation of the electrodes (202, 206) is controlled by piezo-electric, electrostrictive or magnetostrictive actuators. Preferred embodiments of Gap Diodes include Cool Chips, Power Chips, and photoelectric converters.
Abstract:
An electronic heat pump device has an emitter and a collector, stems supporting these components, a spacing retention member for keeping a spacing between the stems constant, and a sealing member for maintaining a vacuum between the stems. The emitter has a first semiconductor substrate and an emitter electrode, while the collector has a second semiconductor substrate and a collector electrode. The emitter electrode and the collector electrode are disposed so as to be opposed to each other with a space interposed therebetween. At least one of the first and second semiconductor substrates is integrally formed with electrically and thermally insulative spacers that keep the space between the emitter electrode and the collector electrode constant.
Abstract:
A thermotunneling converter is disclosed comprising a pair of electrodes having inner surfaces substantially facing one another, and a spacer or plurality of spacers positioned between the two electrodes, having a height substantially equal to the distance between the electrodes, and having a total cross-sectional area that is less than the cross-sectional area of either of the electrodes. In a preferred embodiment, a vacuum is introduced, and in a particularly preferred embodiment, gold that has been exposed to cesium vapor is used as one or both of the electrodes. In a further embodiment, the spacer is made of small particles disposed between the electrodes. In a yet further embodiment, a sandwich is made containing the electrodes with an unoxidized spacer. The sandwich is separated and the spacer is oxidized, which makes it grow to a required height whilst giving it insulatory properties, to allow for tunneling between the electrodes.