System and method for thermionic energy conversion
AssigneeSpark Thermionics, Inc.
InventorsKyana Van Houten, Lucas Heinrich Hess, Jared William Schwede, Felix Schmitt
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Abstract
A thermionic energy conversion system, preferably including one or more electron collectors, interfacial layers, encapsulation, and/or electron emitters. A method for manufacturing the thermionic energy conversion system. A method of operation for a thermionic energy conversion system, preferably including receiving power, emitting electrons, and receiving the emitted electrons, and optionally including convectively transferring heat.
Claims20
A system comprising a thermionic energy converter (TEC) defining a chamber, wherein the TEC comprises:
- an electron collector arranged within the chamber;
- an electron emitter opposing the electron collector across the chamber;
- and
- an interfacial layer arranged within the chamber, wherein:
- the electron collector is arranged between the electron emitter and the interfacial layer;
- the interfacial layer mechanically couples the electron collector to a wall of the chamber;
- the interfacial layer thermally couples a first surface of the electron collector to a second surface of the wall;
- and
- a first temperature of the first surface is substantially greater than a second temperature of the second surface.
A system comprising a thermionic energy converter (TEC) defining a chamber, wherein the TEC comprises:
- an electron collector arranged within the chamber;
- an electron emitter opposing the electron collector across the chamber;
- and
- an interfacial layer arranged within the chamber, wherein:
- the electron collector is arranged between the electron emitter and the interfacial layer;
- the interfacial layer mechanically couples the electron collector to a wall of the chamber;
- the interfacial layer thermally couples a first surface of the electron collector to a second surface of the wall;
- and
- the system is configured to receive a heat input such that, while receiving the heat input:
- the electron emitter thermionically emits electrons toward the electron collector;
- the electron collector receives the thermionically emitted electrons, thereby generating an electric energy output configured to drive an electric load;
- and
- a first temperature of the first surface is substantially greater than a second temperature of the second surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.