Monolithic thermionic converter
US7928630B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 24, 2008 |
| Grant date | Apr 19, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 30, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01J45/00
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A thermionic converter is disclosed comprising a single or multiple hot (emitter) and cold (collector) electrodes mounted side-by-side on a single substrate and a static electrostatic field for guiding electron from the emitter to the collector. The thermal path between emitter and collector electrodes is interrupted by cuts or trenches, and electrical connections to the electrodes are routed over a meander-like, high thermal resistance pathway cut into the substrate to further reduce thermal loss. In one embodiment, there is an Avto metal surface texture of nanoscale indents on one or more of the electrodes to lower a work function. A method for fabricating the monolithic thermionic converter is further disclosed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.