Apparatus for converting thermal energy to electrical energy
OwnerBrad Siskavichinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Embodiments of an apparatus that can convert energy across a broad spectrum of wavelengths. These embodiments utilize concentrating optics in combination with one or more of an integrated filter, a cooling mechanism, and a high-efficiency low current cell architecture to form efficient and cost-effective TPV devices. During operation, these components reduce the ratio of cell area to emitter area by concentrating the energy the emitter emits, thereby reducing the total cost of materials and promoting efficiency through integrating the filter and cooling mechanism into the device design.
Claims20
An apparatus, comprising:
- an emitter element comprising material that absorbs thermal energy and emits electromagnetic radiation;
- an energy conversion device that generates current in response to the electromagnetic radiation;
- and
- a concentrator element disposed in the path of the electromagnetic radiation from the emitter element and the energy conversion device, the concentrator element comprising a concentration feature with a first area proximate the emitter element that receives the electromagnetic radiation and a second area proximate the energy conversion device that is smaller than the first area and through which the electromagnetic radiation radiates onto a surface of the energy conversion device.
An apparatus, comprising:
- an elongated cylindrical body having a longitudinal axis and forming an interior volume;
- an array of energy conversion devices disposed in the interior volume;
- a concentrator element disposed radially outwardly of the array and radially inwardly of the elongated cylindrical body, the concentrator element comprising concentrator features that align with the energy conversion devices in the array;
- and
- a filter element disposed between the concentrator element and the elongated cylindrical body.
A apparatus, comprising:
- an array of thermophotovoltaic cells;
- an emitter body in surrounding relation to the array;
- a concentrator element disposed radially inwardly of the emitter body and radially outwardly of the array, the concentrator element comprising one or more concentrator features that align with the thermophotovoltaic cells, the concentrator features receiving the radiation at a first area and emitting the electromagnetic radiation at a second area that is smaller than the first area.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.