Energy conversion systems utilizing parallel array of automatic switches and generators

An energy generation and regulation system comprising:

• a source of DC voltage;
• a plurality of generator-transistor assemblies coupled in a parallel configuration, each one of said generator-transistor assemblies comprising:
• a transistor having a collector terminal, a base terminal coupled to said DC voltage, and emitter terminal;
• and
• a nanometer-scale electromotive force generator coupled in series with said transistor, wherein said generator produces an output voltage at said collector terminal and DC voltage automatically turns said transistor ON when said output voltage exceeds a minimum level.

An energy conversion and regulation system comprising:

• a base member;
• and
• a plurality of nanometer-scale assemblies coupled to said base member, wherein each of said nanometer-scale assemblies can convert one form of energy, a non-converted energy, into another form of energy, a converted energy, wherein each one of said nanometer-scale assemblies comprising:
• an output;
• a mounting assembly coupled to said base member;
• a nanometer-scale beam fixed to said mounting assembly, said beam having a free-moving portion;
• and
• an electrically conductive automatic switch placed within the proximity of said free-moving portion, wherein said converted energy is provided to said output when said free-moving portion electrically couples said automatic switch.

A nanometer-scale transistor comprising:

• a first input contact;
• a second input contact;
• a base member;
• a mounting assembly coupled to said base member;
• a nanometer-scale beam fixed to said mounting assembly and having a portion that is free-to-move, wherein said nanometer-scale beam is coupled to said first input contact and is provided a first charge;
• and
• a charge member layer placed in the proximity of said free-moving portion, wherein said charge member layer is coupled to said second input contact, said charge member layer is provided a second charge, and said first charge and said second charge interact to provide mechanical stress in said free-moving portion.

A nanometer-scale transistor comprising:

• a first input contact;
• a second input contact;
• a base member;
• a mounting assembly coupled to said base member;
• a nanometer-scale beam fixed to said mounting assembly and having a portion that is free-to-move, wherein said nanometer-scale beam is coupled to said first input contact and is provided a first charge;
• a charge member layer placed in the proximity of said free-moving portion, wherein said charge member layer is coupled to said second input contact, said charge member layer is provided a second charge, said first charge and said second charge interact to provide mechanical stress in said free-moving portion, and said first and second charges have the same polarity;
• and
• an output contact, wherein said mechanical stress causes said free-moving portion to electrically couple with said output contact.

A nanometer-scale transistor comprising:

• a first input contact;
• a second input contact;
• a base member;
• a mounting assembly coupled to said base member;
• a nanometer-scale beam fixed to said mounting assembly and having a portion that is free-to-move, wherein said nanometer-scale beam is coupled to said first input contact and is provided a first charge;
• a charge member layer placed in the proximity of said free-moving portion, wherein said charge member layer is coupled to said second input contact, said charge member layer is provided a second charge, said first charge and said second charge interact to provide mechanical stress in said free-moving portion, and said first and second charges have opposite polarities;
• and
• an output contact, wherein said mechanical stress causes said free-moving portion to electrically couple with said output contact.

A nanometer-scale transistor comprising:

• a first input contact;
• a second input contact;
• a base member;
• a mounting assembly coupled to said base member;
• a nanometer-scale beam fixed to said mounting assembly and having a portion that is free-to-move, wherein said nanometer-scale beam is coupled to said first input contact and is provided a first charge;
• a charge member layer placed in the proximity of said free-moving portion, wherein said charge member layer is couple to said second input contact, said charge member layer is provided a second charge, said first charge and said second charge interact to provide mechanical stress in said free-moving portion;
• an output contact, wherein said mechanical stress causes said free-moving portion to electrically couple with said output contact;
• and
• an external light source wherein the amount of said mechanical stress is proportional to, at least in part, the magnitude of said second charge, said first charge, and said external light source.

An energy conversion system that is immersed in a working substance having a plurality of molecules that converts energy from one form to another, said system comprising:

• a first thermally conductive member;
• a second thermally conductive member;
• a first plurality of mounting points;
• a second plurality of mounting points, each of said second plurality of mounting points corresponding to one of said first plurality of mounting points;
• a plurality of nanometer members each of which is loosely mounted between one of said first and second pluralities of mounting points such that slack exists in each of said nanometer members, wherein Brownian motion causes said nanometer members to move;
• a plurality of resistive elements, each of which is thermally coupled to said first conductive member and is mounted between one of said first and second pluralities of mounting points such that there is a resistive element corresponding to each nanometer member;
• an external magnetic field that, when applied to said moving nanometer members, induces an electric field that induces current to flow;
• and
• a plurality of thermoelectric generators comprising first and second thermally responsive members, each of said first thermally responsive members being coupled to said first thermally conductive member, each of said second thermally responsive members being coupled to said second thermally conductive member.