Method and apparatus for thermionic generator
AssigneeBorealis Technical Limited
InventorJonathan Sidney Edelson
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Abstract
An improved thermionic generator constructed using microenginerring techniques is described. This device is easy to construct in large numbers, efficient, and inexpensive. A preferred embodiment uses micromachined silicon to produce a thermionic converter cell. These may be joined together in large arrays to form a thermionic generator.
Claims44
A thermionic converter comprising:
- a) a micromachined first substrate having on one face a shallow depression of substantially uniform depth coated with a thermionic emissive material and surrounded by an edge region which is thermally resistive, said thermionic emissive material in electrical contact with electrical contact means, said thermionic emissive material in thermal contact with thermal contact means, joined by said edge region to
- b) an edge region surrounding a shallow depression of substantially uniform depth on one face of a micromachined second substrate, said depression coated with a thermionic emissive material and surrounded by an edge region which is thermally resistive, said thermionic emissive material in electrical contact with electrical contact means, said thermionic emissive material in thermal contact with thermal contact means, said thermionic missive material of said first substrate being separated by a gap from said thermionic emissive material of said second substrate.
A thermionic converter fabricated by micromachining techniques having one or more electrodes, wherein said one or more electrodes has on one face a shallow depression of substantially uniform depth, wherein said depression is coated by a thermionic material.
A thermionic converter fabricated by micromachining techniques having one or more electrodes, wherein said one or more electrodes has on one face a shallow depression of substantially uniform depth, wherein said depression is surrounded by an edge region, said edge region having a deep channel cut along two opposing sides of said depression.
A thermionic converter comprising one or more electrodes, wherein said one or more electrodes has on one face a shallow depression of substantially uniform depth, wherein said depression is coated by a thermionic material.
A thermionic converter comprising one or more electrodes, wherein said one or more electrodes has on one face a shallow depression of substantially uniform depth, wherein said depression is surrounded by an edge region, said edge region having a deep channel cut along two opposing sides of said depression.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.