Alkali metal thermoelectric genreator
US4857421A · kind A · utility
21Cited by
7References
15Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 14, 1988 |
| Grant date | Aug 15, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 14, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/10
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An alkali metal heat engine. A thermoelectric generator which circulates alkali metal through a cationic barrier to produce electricity. The device is capable of operating in a reduced gravity or gravity-free environment and without mechanical pumps because it collects and recirculates the liquid alkali metal with capillary wick structures. One capillary wick moves the alkali metal from the cooler side of the barrier to the hotter side, and another wick is used as a bypass structure to recirculate the undiffused alkali metal back to the heat source.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.