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Microminiature thermionic converters

Patent ·
OSTI ID:874018
 [1];  [2];  [3]
  1. Albuquerque, NM
  2. Salt Lake City, UT
  3. Clairton, PA
+ Show Author Affiliations

Microminiature thermionic converts (MTCs) having high energy-conversion efficiencies and variable operating temperatures. Methods of manufacturing those converters using semiconductor integrated circuit fabrication and micromachine manufacturing techniques are also disclosed. The MTCs of the invention incorporate cathode to anode spacing of about 1 micron or less and use cathode and anode materials having work functions ranging from about 1 eV to about 3 eV. Existing prior art thermionic converter technology has energy conversion efficiencies ranging from 5-15%. The MTCs of the present invention have maximum efficiencies of just under 30%, and thousands of the devices can be fabricated at modest costs.

Research Organization:
SANDIA CORP
Assignee:
Sandia Corporation (Albuquerque, NM)
Patent Number(s):
US 6294858
Application Number:
09/257,335
OSTI ID:
874018
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

References (2)

Closed spaced thermionic converter with isothermic electrodes conference February 2013
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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