Open loop alkali metal thermal to electric converter
OwnerRobert K. Sievers, David A. Butkiewicz +2inventors
InventorsRobert K. Sievers, David A. Butkiewicz, Robert W. Fletcher, Thomas K. Hunt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention includes an open-loop AMTEC cell operable in a delivery mode and in a priming mode. In the delivery mode, the cell provides electrical potential through electrochemical reactions, which persist until the ion content of the cell is exhausted. In the priming mode, the electrochemical potential of the cell is established through an outside electrical potential or through a reversal of the thermal gradient within the cell. The cell of the present invention is particularly operable in accordance with a preferred method and also as a component of a suitable electrical system.
Claims21
An open-loop alkali metal thermal to electric conversion (AMTEC) cell comprising:
- a solid electrolyte structure separating the cell into a high-pressure zone and a low-pressure zone, the high-pressure zone communicating with a hot end of the cell and the low-pressure zone communicating with a cold end of the cell;
- an alkali metal reservoir to contain an alkali metal, the alkali metal reservoir communicating with the hot end of the cell;
- a condenser communicating with the low-pressure zone of the cell for condensing alkali metal vapor migrating through the low-pressure zone;
- an electrical conductor coupled to the solid electrolyte structure and extending through the cell as a terminal for providing electrical potential to an electrical load, the electrical conductor having an anode potential and a cathode potential;
- wherein the alkali metal flows from the alkali metal reservoir to the condenser through the solid electrolyte structure, and further wherein the solid electrolyte structure inhibits the flow of alkali metal from the condenser to the alkali metal reservoir.
A method of operating a system of alkali thermal to electric conversion (AMTEC) cells comprising the steps of:
- providing an AMTEC cell having a cathode potential, a condenser, and a solid electrolyte structure;
- providing a predetermined amount of alkali metal within an alkali metal reservoir,
- disposing the AMTEC cell in a delivery mode whereby the AMTEC cell provides electrical potential to an electrical load, thereby depleting the predetermined amount of alkali metal from the alkali metal reservoir;
- disposing the AMTEC cell in a priming mode whereby the AMTEC cell is primed for subsequent delivery, thereby returning the predetermined amount of alkali metal to the alkali metal reservoir.
A system for providing electrical potential alkali metal thermal to electric conversion cells comprising:
- at least one AMTEC cell having a cathode potential, a condenser, and a solid electrolyte structure;
- an electrical load to which the at least one AMTEC cell delivers electrical potential during a delivery mode;
- a priming source to provide an electrical potential to the at least one AMTEC cell during a priming mode, the electrical potential greater than the cathode potential.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.