Apparatus and method for pyroelectric power conversion

Patent · Sat Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1983

OSTI ID:864836

Olsen, Randall B ^[1]

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1. Olivenhain, CA

Apparatus and method for converting heat to electrical energy by the use of one or more capacitors having temperature dependent capacitance. The capacitor is cycled between relatively high and relatively low temperatures by successive thermal contact with relatively high and relatively low temperature portions of a heat transfer medium having a temperature gradient therein. Upon heating of the capacitor, the capacitance thereof is reduced, so that a charge therein is caused to expand into associated external circuitry in which it is available to do electrical work. The capacitor is then cooled and recharged and the cycle is repeated. The electrical output of the capacitor results from the regenerative delivery of heat to and removal of heat from the capacitor by the heat transfer medium, and efficient conversion of heat to electric energy is thereby effected.

• Research Organization: Power Conversion Technology
• DOE Contract Number: AC03-78ER01736
• Assignee: Power Conversion Technology, Inc. (San Diego, CA)
• Patent Number(s): US 4425540
• OSTI ID: 864836
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

/322/310/
apparatus
associated
available
capacitance
capacitor
capacitors
caused
charge
circuitry
contact
conversion
conversion apparatus
converting
converting heat
cooled
cycle
cycled
delivery
dependent
effected
efficient
efficient conversion
electric
electric energy
electric power
electrical
electrical energy
electrical output
energy
expand
external
external circuit
external circuitry
gradient
heat
heat transfer
heating
medium
method
output
portions
power
power conversion
pyroelectric
recharged
reduced
regenerative
relatively
removal
repeated
results
successive
temperature
temperature dependent
temperature gradient
temperatures
therein
thermal
thermal contact
transfer
transfer medium