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US 12,494,732 B2Granted
Apparatus and methods for efficient conversion of heat to electricity via emission of characteristic radiation
AssigneeLightCell Inc.
InventorsDanielle A. Fong, Stephen E. Crane, Gregory Fong, Jonathan Mapel
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Abstract
An apparatus for generating electricity via thermophotovoltaic (TPV) energy conversion is described. High efficiency is obtained by introducing a material into a combustion chamber that emits bright near-monochromatic visible light upon heating. This light is then directed to fall on an array of photovoltaic (PV) cells which convert the light to electricity. Heat and infrared radiation that is not absorbed by the PV cells is returned to the combustion chamber to further improve conversion efficiency.
Claims17
A method comprising:
- introducing emitting material into a combustion chamber;
- flowing oxidizer through a heat exchanger into the combustion chamber;
- causing combustion within the combustion chamber;
- flowing exhaust gas from the combustion chamber through the heat exchanger;
- and
- transmitting characteristic radiation from the emitting material through the combustion chamber to a photovoltaic cell,
- wherein a portion of the emitting material remains within the combustion chamber using a wicking structure comprising the heat exchanger,
- wherein the heat exchanger acts as a regenerator for the portion of the emitting material, and
- wherein the heat exchanger melts the portion of the emitting material.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.