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US 10,840,072 B2Granted
Thermionic wave generator (TWG)
AssigneeSpace Charge, LLC
InventorsDaniel Sweeney, Devin Vollmer, John Read
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims20
An energy converter comprising:
- a cathode for emitting electrons;
- a control grid electrode adjacent to the cathode;
- an acceleration grid electrode adjacent to the control grid electrode, wherein the control grid electrode is positioned between the acceleration grid electrode and the cathode;
- an anode for collected electrons emitted from the cathode, wherein the acceleration grid electrode is positioned between the control grid electrode and the anode;
- an inductive element positioned to electromagnetically interact with electrons emitted by the cathode;
- a magnetic field source positioned to direct a magnetic field between the cathode and the anode;
- and
- a housing defining an enclosed volume, wherein the cathode, the control grid electrode, the acceleration grid electrode, the inductive element, and the anode are positioned within the enclosed volume.
5 more elements
A method of converting thermal energy to electrical energy, the method comprising:
- providing an energy converter comprising:
- a cathode for emitting electrons;
- a control grid electrode adjacent to the cathode;
- an acceleration grid electrode adjacent to the control grid electrode, wherein the control grid electrode is positioned between the acceleration grid electrode and the cathode;
- an anode for collected electrons emitted from the cathode, wherein the acceleration grid electrode is positioned between the control grid electrode and the anode;
- an inductive element positioned to electromagnetically interact with electrons emitted by the cathode;
- a magnetic field source positioned to direct a magnetic field between the cathode and the anode;
- and
- a housing defining an enclosed volume, wherein the cathode, the control grid electrode, the acceleration grid electrode, the inductive element, and the anode are positioned within the enclosed volume;
- heating the cathode to generate thermally emitted electrons;
- and
- applying potentials to the cathode, the control grid electrode, the acceleration grid, and the inductive element to generate an electrical output at the anode.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.