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Self-powered microthermionic converter

Patent ·
OSTI ID:1174979
; ; ; ; ;
A self-powered microthermionic converter having an internal thermal power source integrated into the microthermionic converter. These converters can have high energy-conversion efficiencies over a range of operating temperatures. Microengineering techniques are used to manufacture the converter. The utilization of an internal thermal power source increases potential for mobility and incorporation into small devices. High energy efficiency is obtained by utilization of micron-scale interelectrode gap spacing. Alpha-particle emitting radioisotopes can be used for the internal thermal power source, such as curium and polonium isotopes.
Research Organization:
Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-CA), Livermore, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-94AL85000
Assignee:
Sandia Corporation (Albuquerque, NM)
Patent Number(s):
6,774,532
Application Number:
10/028,144
OSTI ID:
1174979
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

References (6)

Closed spaced thermionic converter with isothermic electrodes conference February 2013
Applications of out-of-core close-spaced thermionics
  • Allen, Daniel T.; Nikolaev, Yuri V.; Eryomin, Stanislav A.
  • Proceedings of the tenth symposium on soacpace nuclear and propulsion, AIP Conference Proceedings https://doi.org/10.1063/1.43135
conference January 1993
Heterostructure integrated thermionic coolers journal September 1997
Multilayer Thermionic Refrigeration journal May 1998
Development of Thick-Film Thermoelectric Microcoolers Using Electrochemical Deposition journal January 1998
Close-spaced thermionic converters with active spacing control and heat-pipe isothermal emitters
  • Fitzpatrick, G. O.; Koester, J. K.; Chang, J.
  • IECEC 96. 31st Intersociety Energy Conversion Engineering Conference, IECEC 96. Proceedings of the 31st Intersociety Energy Conversion Engineering Conference https://doi.org/10.1109/IECEC.1996.553821
conference January 1996

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24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION