Dielectric thermal power converter
US4220906A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 8, 1977 |
| Grant date | Sep 2, 1980 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 8, 1997 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH10N15/10
Abstract
A method and apparatus is disclosed for use in converting heat to electrical energy and comprises a plurality of capacitors which have a temperature dependent capacitance. Heat is used to decrease the dielectric constant in the capacitors causing charge to expand from the capacitors into an associated circuit and do electrical work. The invention also includes reeds which are caused to vibrate by the flow of vapor carrying heat between stages. These reeds serve as thermal switches which pulse heat at the proper frequency and phase through a large number of stacked capacitors. The efficiency of the apparatus is optimized by operating the individual capacitors through cycles approximating Carnot cycles.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.