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US 10,388,496 B2Granted
Thermionic wave generator (TWG)
AssigneeSpace Charge, LLC
InventorsDaniel Sweeney, Devin Vollmer, John Read
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Energy conversion systems that may employ control grid electrodes, acceleration grid electrodes, inductive elements, multi-stage anodes, and emissive carbon coatings on the cathode and anode are described. These and other characteristics may allow for advantageous thermal energy to electrical energy conversion.
Claims21
An energy converter comprising:
- a first electrode for emitting electrons, wherein the first electrode includes a plurality of microtips extending from a base surface of the first electrode, and wherein the first electrode includes an emissive carbon coating over at least a portion of the microtips;
- a second electrode adjacent to the first electrode;
- a third electrode adjacent to the second electrode, wherein the second electrode is positioned between the third electrode and the first electrode;
- an inductive element adjacent to the third electrode, wherein the third electrode is positioned between the second electrode and the inductive element;
- a fourth electrode for collected electrons emitted from the first electrode, wherein the fourth electrode is adjacent to the inductive element, and wherein the inductive element is positioned between the third electrode and the fourth electrode;
- and
- a housing defining an enclosed evacuated volume, wherein the first electrode, the second electrode, the third electrode, the inductive element, and the fourth electrode are positioned within the enclosed evacuated volume.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.