Electroactive polymer thermal electric generators
US6628040B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 23, 2001 |
| Grant date | Sep 30, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 13, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S310/80
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
This disclosed generators include one or more transducers that use electroactive polymer films to convert thermally generated mechanical energy to electrical energy. The generators may include one or more transmission mechanisms that convert a portion of thermal energy generated from a heat source such as internal combustion, external combustion, solar energy, geothermal energy or waste heat, to mechanical energy that is used to drive the one or more transducers located in the generator. The energy received by the transducers may be converted to electrical energy by the transducers in conjunction with conditioning electronics located within the generator. One embodiment of the present invention provides an energy conversion device with two chambers each chamber including a diaphragm transducer that may convert thermal energy to electricity using a thermodynamic cycle such as a Stirling gas cycle. The thermodynamic cycle of the energy conversion device may be reversed to provide cooling to an external device such as a semiconductor device.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.