Antireflection coated refractory metal matched emitters for use in thermophotovoltaic generators
AssigneeJX Crystals Inc.
InventorsLewis M. Fraas, John E. Samaras, James E. Avery
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Thermophotovoltaic (TPV) electric power generators have emitters with infrared (IR) outputs matched with usable wavelengths for converter cells. The emitters have durable substrates, optional refractory isolating layers, conductive refractory metal or inter-metallic emitter layers, and refractory metal oxide antireflection layers. SiC substrates have tungsten or TaSi2 emitter layers and 0.14 micron HfO2, ZrO2, Al2O3, Ta2O5 and TiO2 antireflection layers used as IR emitters for GaSb converter cells in TPV generators.
Claims18
Antireflection coated matched emitters for thermophotovoltaic cells, comprising a durable high temperature substrate, a tungsten film emitter coating on the substrate, and an antireflection metal oxide coating on the tungsten film wherein the metal oxide coating is HfO2.
An antireflection coated matched emitter for thermophotovoltaic cells, comprising:
- a durable high temperature substrate;
- a metal or metal silicide emitter layer coating on the substrate;
- and
- an antireflective HfO2 coating on the emitter layer.
A thermophotovoltaic generator, comprising a heat source, an emitter for receiving heat from the source and emitting infrared light waves having wavelengths of about 1.8 microns and less, an infrared filter for passing infrared energy and reflecting wavelengths greater than 1.8 microns toward the emitter, and a photovoltaic receiver for receiving the infrared wavelengths, wherein the receiver comprises low bandgap photovoltaic cells, and wherein the emitter comprises a durable high temperature substrate, a refractory metal or metal silicide emitter layer on the substrate and a metal oxide antireflective layer of HfO2, wherein the photovoltaic receiver comprises GaSb cells which convert to electricity infrared energy in wavelengths below 1.8 microns.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.