Device and method for thermoelectronic energy conversion

A thermooelectronic energy converter device, comprising:

• an electron emitter being adapted for a temperature-dependent release of electrons,
• an electron collector being adapted for collecting the electrons, wherein the electron collector is spaced from the electron emitter by an evacuated gap,
• a gate electrode being arranged between the electron emitter and the electron collector for subjecting the electrons in the gap to an accelerating electric potential, and
• a magnetic field device being arranged for creating a magnetic field with magnetic field lines extending between the electron emitter and the electron collector, wherein
• the gate electrode has a plurality of electrode openings being arranged for transmitting electrons running from the electron emitter to the electron collector, and
• the magnetic field device is arranged such that at least a portion of the magnetic field lines pass through the electrode openings, wherein
• the gate electrode has a honeycomb lattice structure.

A thermoelectronic energy converter device, comprising:

• an electron emitter being adapted for a temperature-dependent release of electrons,
• an electron collector being adapted for collecting the electrons, wherein the electron collector is spaced from the electron emitter by an evacuated gap,
• a gate electrode being arranged between the electron emitter and the electron collector for subjecting the electrons in the gap to an accelerating electric potential, and
• a magnetic field device being arranged for creating a magnetic field with magnetic field lines extending between the electron emitter and the electron collector, wherein
• the gate electrode has a plurality of electrode openings being arranged for transmitting electrons running from the electron emitter to electron collector, and
• the magnetic field device is arranged such that at least a portion of the magnetic field lines pass through the electrode openings, wherein the magnetic field device includes at least one of the features:
• the magnetic field device includes at least one of at least one permanent magnet and at least one electromagnet being arranged adjacent to or in a neighborhood of at least one of the electron emitter and the electron collector, respectively,
• the magnetic field device includes a magnetic yoke being arranged for confining the magnetic field lines, and
• the magnetic field device is adapted for creating the magnetic field with sections of increased field strength according to positions of the electrode openings.

A thermoelectronic energy converter device, comprising:

• an electron emitter being adapted for a temperature-dependent release of electrons,
• an electron collector being adapted for collecting the eletrons, wherein the electron collector is spaced from the electron emitter by an evacuated gap,
• a gate electrode being arranged between the electron emitter and the electron collector for subjecting the electrons in the gap to an accelerating electric potential, and
• a magnetic field device being arranged for creating a magnetic field with magnetic field lines extending between the electron emitter and the electron collector, wherein
• the gate electrode has a plurality of electrode opening being arranged for transmitting electronics running from the electron emitter to the electron collector, and
• the magnetic field device is arranged such that at least a portion of the magnetic field lines pass through the electrode openings, wherein
• the gate electrode is supported by the electron emitter or the electron collector, wherein the gate electrode is electrically insulated relative to the electron emitter or electron collector, respectively.

A thermoelectronic energy conveter device, comprising:

• an electron emitter being adapted for a temperature-dependent release of electrons,
• an electron collecter being adapted for collecting the electrons, wherein the electron collector is spaced from the electron emitter by an evacuated gap,
• a gate electrode being arranged between the electron emitter and the electron collector for subjecting the electrons in the gap to an accelerating electric potential, and
• a magnetic field device being arranged for creating a magnetic field with magnetic field lines extending between the electron emitter and the electron collector, wherein
• the gate electrode has a plurality of electrode openings being arranged for transmitting electrons running from the electron emitter to the electron collector, and
• the magnetic field device is arragned such that at least a portion of the magnetic field lines pass through the electrode openings, further comprising
• at least one of at least one auxiliary gate electrode and at least one shielding electrode being arranged between the electron emitter and the electron collector.

A thermoelectronic energy converter device, comprising:

• an electron emitter being adapted for a temperature-dependent release of electrons,
• an electron collector being adapted for collecting the electrons, wherein the electron collector is spaced from the electron emitter by an evacuated gap,
• a gate electrode being arranged between the electron emitter and the electron collector for subjecting the electrons in the gap to an accelerating electric potential, and
• a magnetic field device being arranged for creating a magnetic field with magnetic field lines extending between the electron emitter and the electron collector, wherein
• the gate electrode has a plurality of electrode openings being arranged for transmitting electrons running from the electron emitter to the electron collector, and
• the magentic field device is arranged such that at least a portion of the magnetic field lines pass through the electrode openings, wherein
• the electron collector or the gate electrode carries a reflective layer being adapted for at least one of reflecting visible and thermal radiation back to the electron emitter.

A thermoelectronic energy converter device, comprising:

• an electron emitter being adapted for a temperature-dependent release of electrons,
• an electron collector being adapted for collecting the electrons, wherein the electron collector is spaced from the electon emitter by an evacuated gap,
• a gate electrode being arranged between the electron emitter and the electron collector for subjecting the electrons in the gap to an accelerating electric potential, and
• a magnetic field device being arranged for creating a magnetic field with magnetic field lines extending between the electron emitter and the electron collector, wherein
• the gate electrode has a plurality of electrode openings being arranged for transmitting electrons running from the electron emitter to the electron collector, and
• the magnetic field device is arranged such that at least a portion of the magnetic field lines pass through the electrode openings, wherein
• a power source is connected between the electron emitter and the electron collector,
• the electron emitter is arranged as a heat sink to be cooled by the release of the electrons or the electron collector is arranged as a heat source to be heated by the collection of the electrons, and
• the thermoelectronic energy converter device is configured for converting electric energy to thermal energy.