Thermophotovoltaic electric power generating apparatus and power generating method thereof
US6768049B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 3, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jul 27, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 3, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A thermophotovoltaic power generating apparatus that heats an emitter by a combustion gas produced by fuel and air, and converts light radiated from the emitter into electric power by using photoelectric conversion elements. An air pipe is disposed in an internal hollow portion of the emitter, and a combustion gas supplier for supplying the combustion gas toward the emitter is disposed outside the emitter. The photoelectric conversion elements that receive radiated light are disposed further outside of the emitter. Therefore, residual heat of the combustion gas that has heated the emitter is utilized to heat the air needed for the combustion of fuel, and light radiated from the heated emitter is received by the photoelectric conversion elements. Thus, electric power generating efficiency can be improved.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.