Thermionic generator
US9000652B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 9, 2012 |
| Grant date | Apr 7, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 11, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01J45/00
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A thermionic generator for converting thermal energy to electric energy includes: an emitter electrode for emitting thermal electrons from a thermal electron emitting surface when heat is applied to the emitter electrode; a collector electrode facing the emitter electrode spaced apart from the emitter electrode by a predetermined distance, and receiving the thermal electrons from the emitter electrode via a facing surface of the collector electrode; and a substrate having one surface. The emitter electrode and the collector electrode are disposed on the one surface of the substrate, and are electrically insulated from each other. The thermal electron emitting surface and the facing surface are perpendicular to the one surface.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.