Thermocouple array for generating electrical power for lighter than air vehicles
US7875795B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 29, 2008 |
| Grant date | Jan 25, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 29, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An energy generating device for lighter-than-air vehicles having a gas impervious outer flexible fabric including a flexible photovoltaic array located on the outer layer of the gas impervious fabric; a thermocouple array located between the photovoltaic cells and the gas impervious fabric; a thermally conductive layer or heat spreader between the thermocouple array and the photovoltaic array and between the thermocouple array and the gas impervious flexible fabric; an electrically conductive means connected to said thermocouple array for drawing electrical power away from said thermocouple array; and an electrical load, such as an electrical storage device or a device that consumes electricity, for drawing electricity from the thermocouple array.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.