Method and apparatus for vacuum diode-based devices with electride-coated electrodes
US5675972A · kind A · utility
62Cited by
3References
17Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 25, 1996 |
| Grant date | Oct 14, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 25, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02B30/00
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Vacuum diode-based devices, including Vacuum Diode Heat Pumps and Vacuum Thermionic Generators, are described in which the electrodes are coated with an electride. These materials have low work functions, which means that contact potential difference between cathode and anode may be set against the effects of space charge, resulting in an improved device whereby anode and cathode may be set at a greater distance from each other than has been previously envisaged.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.