Tube-in-tube thermophotovoltaic generator

Patent · Tue Jun 30 00:00:00 EDT 1998

OSTI ID:871658

Ashcroft, John ^[1]; Campbell, Brian ^[1]; DePoy, David ^[2]

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1. Scotia, NY
2. Clifton Park, NY

A thermophotovoltaic device includes at least one thermal radiator tube, a cooling tube concentrically disposed within each thermal radiator tube and an array of thermophotovoltaic cells disposed on the exterior surface of the cooling tube. A shell having a first end and a second end surrounds the thermal radiator tube. Inner and outer tubesheets, each having an aperture corresponding to each cooling tube, are located at each end of the shell. The thermal radiator tube extends within the shell between the inner tubesheets. The cooling tube extends within the shell through the corresponding apertures of the two inner tubesheets to the corresponding apertures of the two outer tubesheets. A plurality of the thermal radiator tubes can be arranged in a staggered or an in-line configuration within the shell.

• Research Organization: Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory (KAPL), Niskayuna, NY (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC12-76SN00052
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 5772793
• OSTI ID: 871658
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

tube-in-tube
thermophotovoltaic
generator
device
thermal
radiator
tube
cooling
concentrically
disposed
array
cells
exterior
surface
shell
surrounds
inner
outer
tubesheets
aperture
corresponding
located
extends
apertures
plurality
tubes
arranged
staggered
in-line
configuration
thermal radiator
cells disposed
thermophotovoltaic device
photovoltaic cells
inner tube
photovoltaic device
outer tube
exterior surface
photovoltaic cell
outer tubes
concentrically disposed
radiator tube
cooling tube
tube extends
thermophotovoltaic cell
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