System and method for thermionic energy conversion
AssigneeSpark Thermionics, Inc.
InventorsKyana Van Houten, Lucas Heinrich Hess, Jared William Schwede, Felix Schmitt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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 method for thermionic energy conversion, comprising, at a thermionic energy converter (TEC) defining a chamber, the TEC comprising an electron emitter, an electron collector, and an interfacial layer that mechanically couples the electron collector to a wall of the chamber:
- receiving heat;
- at the electron emitter, in response to receiving a first portion of the heat, emitting electrons into the chamber;
- at the electron collector, receiving electrons emitted by the electron emitter, wherein the electron collector opposes the electron emitter across the chamber;
- and
- in response to emitting and receiving electrons, providing electrical power to an external load, wherein the external load is electrically coupled between the electron collector and the electron emitter.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.