Thermophotovoltaic technology
US4707560A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 19, 1986 |
| Grant date | Nov 17, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 19, 2006 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A thermophotovoltaic system includes structure defining a diffusion flame burner having separate but adjacent fuel and oxidant inlets, and structure defining a combustion chamber in which an emitter structure is disposed for exposure to combustion products of the burner. The combustion products heat the emitter structure and cause the emission of spectrally distributed radiation. Disposed in optically coupled relation to the emitter structure are one or more photocells for converting energy radiated by the emitter structure to electrical energy, a close match between the spectrum of the photon energy radiated from the emitter structure and the electron production threshold of the photocell array resulting in enhanced efficiency. One portion of the combustion product stream is flowed from the combustion chamber through a recuperator to heat the incoming oxidant, and another portion of the combustion product stream is flowed into the combustion chamber. Significant efficiency improvements are achieved by the recuperative preheating of oxidant, and the reintroduction of a part of the exhaust gas back into the combustion mixture reduces the flame temperature with minimal compromise of …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.