Portable thermo-photovoltaic power source

Patent · Tue Jan 14 00:00:00 EST 1997

OSTI ID:870779

Zuppero, Anthony C ^[1]; Krawetz, Barton ^[1]; Barklund, C Rodger ^[1]; Seifert, Gary D ^[1]

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1. Idaho Falls, ID

A miniature thermo-photovoltaic (TPV) device for generation of electrical power for use in portable electronic devices. A TPV power source is constructed to provide a heat source chemical reactor capable of using various fuels, such as liquid hydrocarbons, including but not limited to propane, LPG, butane, alcohols, oils and diesel fuels to generate a source of photons. A reflector dish guides misdirected photon energy from the photon source toward a photovoltaic array. A thin transparent protector sheet is disposed between the photon source and the array to reflect back thermal energy that cannot be converted to electricity, and protect the array from thermal damage. A microlens disposed between the protector sheet and the array further focuses the tailored band of photon energy from the photon source onto an array of photovoltaic cells, whereby the photon energy is converted to electrical power. A heat recuperator removes thermal energy from reactor chamber exhaust gases, preferably using mini- or micro-bellows to force air and fuel past the exhaust gases, and uses the energy to preheat the fuel and oxidant before it reaches the reactor, increasing system efficiency. Mini- or micro-bellows force ambient air through the system both to supply oxidant and to provide cooling. Finally, an insulator, which is preferably a super insulator, is disposed around the TPV power source to reduce fuel consumption, and to keep the TPV power source cool to the touch so it can be used in hand-held devices.

• Research Organization: Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC07-94ID13223
• Assignee: Lockheed Idaho Technologies Company (Idaho Falls, ID)
• Patent Number(s): US 5593509
• Application Number: 08/406,236
• OSTI ID: 870779
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

portable
thermo-photovoltaic
power
source
miniature
tpv
device
generation
electrical
electronic
devices
constructed
provide
heat
chemical
reactor
capable
various
fuels
liquid
hydrocarbons
including
limited
propane
lpg
butane
alcohols
oils
diesel
generate
photons
reflector
dish
guides
misdirected
photon
energy
photovoltaic
array
transparent
protector
sheet
disposed
reflect
thermal
converted
electricity
protect
damage
microlens
focuses
tailored
band
cells
whereby
recuperator
removes
chamber
exhaust
gases
preferably
mini-
micro-bellows
force
air
fuel
past
preheat
oxidant
reaches
increasing
efficiency
ambient
supply
cooling
finally
insulator
super
reduce
consumption
cool
touch
hand-held
provide cooling
chemical reactor
photon energy
photovoltaic power
thermal damage
liquid hydrocarbon
liquid hydrocarbons
photovoltaic cells
ambient air
exhaust gases
power source
electrical power
thermal energy
heat source
electronic devices
photovoltaic cell
exhaust gas
diesel fuel
reactor chamber
photovoltaic array
reactor capable
electronic device
photon source
fuel consumption
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