TPV cylindrical generator for home cogeneration
US6489553B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 30, 2001 |
| Grant date | Dec 3, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 30, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/60
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Our cylindrical TPV generator uses low bandgap PV cells mounted on circuits in a polygonal array around an IR emitter. The combustion gases are completely contained within the radiant tube burner. The PV array is mounted inside a leak-tight envelope cooled on its outer surface by either water or air flow. Flanges on either end of this PV array container allow for hermetic seals. A folded back coaxial emitter support tube provides a long path length limiting thermal conduction along its cylindrical wall from the very hot emitter section to the cooled seal flange. In our improved cylindrical TPV generator, we provide for a low temperature catalytic after-burn by providing a perforated turnaround plate coupling between the inner disk stack and the outer disk stack. This perforated turnaround plate provides a small amount of combustion air for the after-burn. A catalyst coating can be provided on the hotter surface of the outer finned disks. The after-burn occurs in the outer finned disk stack. Additional features are incorporated in our cylindrical TPV generator to provide for high conversion efficiency.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.