Generation of electrical power

Patent · Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1976

OSTI ID:862479

Hursen, Thomas F ^[1]; Kolenik, Steven A ^[2]; Purdy, David L ^[3]

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1. Monroeville, PA
2. Leechburg, PA
3. Indiana, PA

A heat-to-electricity converter is disclosed which includes a radioactive heat source and a thermoelectric element of relatively short overall length capable of delivering a low voltage of the order of a few tenths of a volt. Such a thermoelectric element operates at a higher efficiency than longer higher-voltage elements; for example, elements producing 6 volts. In the generation of required power, thermoelectric element drives a solid-state converter which is controlled by input current rather than input voltage and operates efficiently for a high signal-plus-noise to signal ratio of current. The solid-state converter has the voltage gain necessary to deliver the required voltage at the low input of the thermoelectric element.

• Research Organization: Arco Nuclear Co., Leechburg, Pa. (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AT(11-1)-3057
• Assignee: Arco Medical Products Company (Leechburg, PA)
• Patent Number(s): US 3944438
• OSTI ID: 862479
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

generation
electrical
power
heat-to-electricity
converter
disclosed
radioactive
heat
source
thermoelectric
element
relatively
overall
length
capable
delivering
voltage
tenths
volt
operates
efficiency
higher-voltage
elements
example
producing
volts
required
drives
solid-state
controlled
input
current
efficiently
signal-plus-noise
signal
ratio
deliver
thermoelectric element
input voltage
electrical power
heat source
electric element
required voltage
active heat
overall length
/136/976/