公开(公告)号：US20020170172A1

公开(公告)日：2002-11-21

申请号：US10192282

申请日：2002-07-09

Inventor： Avto Tavkhelidze ,  Larisa Koptonashvili ,  Zauri Berishvili ,  Givi Skhiladze

IPC: H05K003/00 ,  H01R009/00

CPC classification number: H01J45/00 ,  F25B2321/003 ,  H01L37/00 ,  Y10T29/49147 ,  Y10T29/49204

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a pair of electrodes comprises fabricating a first electrode with a substantially flat surface and placing a sacrificial layer over a surface of the first electrode, wherein the sacrificial layer comprises a first material. A second material is placed over the sacrificial layer, wherein the second material comprises a material that is suitable for use as a second electrode. The sacrificial layer is removed with an etchant, wherein the etchant chemically reacts with the first material, and further wherein a region between the first electrode and the second electrode comprises a gap that is a distance of 50 nanometers or less, preferably 5 nanometers or less. Alternatively, the sacrificial layer is removed by cooling the sandwich with liquid nitrogen, or alternatively still, the sacrificial layer is removed by heating the sacrificial layer, thereby evaporating the sacrificial layer.

公开(公告)号：US06417060B2

公开(公告)日：2002-07-09

申请号：US09792905

申请日：2001-02-23

Applicant: Avto Tavkhelidze ,  Larisa Koptonashvili ,  Zauri Berishvili ,  Givi Skhiladze

Inventor： Avto Tavkhelidze ,  Larisa Koptonashvili ,  Zauri Berishvili ,  Givi Skhiladze

IPC: H01L2120

CPC classification number: H01J45/00 ,  F25B2321/003 ,  H01L37/00

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a pair of electrodes comprises fabricating a first electrode with a substantially flat surface and placing a sacrificial layer over a surface of the first electrode, wherein the sacrificial layer comprises a first material. A second material is placed over the sacrificial layer, wherein the second material comprises a material that is suitable for use as a second electrode. The sacrificial layer is removed with an etchant, wherein the etchant chemically reacts with the first material, and further wherein a region between the first electrode and the second electrode comprises a gap that is a distance of 50 nanometers or less, preferably 5 nanometers or less. Alternatively, the sacrificial layer is removed by cooling the sandwich with liquid nitrogen, or alternatively still, the sacrificial layer is removed by heating the sacrificial layer, thereby evaporating the sacrificial layer.

Abstract translation: 制造一对电极的方法包括制造具有基本平坦表面的第一电极，并将牺牲层放置在第一电极的表面上，其中牺牲层包括第一材料。 第二材料放置在牺牲层上，其中第二材料包括适合用作第二电极的材料。 用蚀刻剂去除牺牲层，其中蚀刻剂与第一材料发生化学反应，并且其中第一电极和第二电极之间的区域包括距离为50纳米或更小，优选5纳米或更小的间隙 。 或者，通过用液氮冷却夹层来除去牺牲层，或者，通过加热牺牲层去除牺牲层，从而蒸发牺牲层。

公开(公告)号：US06396191B1

公开(公告)日：2002-05-28

申请号：US09721051

申请日：2000-11-22

Applicant: Peter L. Hagelstein ,  Yan R. Kucherov

Inventor： Peter L. Hagelstein ,  Yan R. Kucherov

IPC: H02N700

CPC classification number: H01L35/30 ,  H01J45/00 ,  H01L29/86 ,  H01L35/00 ,  H02N3/00

Abstract: Solid state thermionic energy converter semiconductor diode implementation and method for conversion of thermal energy to electric energy, and electric energy to refrigeration. In embodiments of this invention a highly doped n* region can serve as an emitter region, from which carriers can be injected into a gap region. The gap region can be p-type, intrinsic, or moderately doped n-type. A hot ohmic contact is connected to the n*-type region. A cold ohmic contact serves as a collector and is connected to the other side of the gap region. The cold ohmic contact has a recombination region formed between the cold ohmic contact and the gap region and a blocking compensation layer that reduces the thermoelectric back flow component. The heated emitter relative to the collector generates an EMF which drives current through a series load. The inventive principle works for hole conductivity, as well as for electrons.

Abstract translation: 固态热电能转换器半导体二极管实现和热能转换为电能，电能转换为制冷的方法。 在本发明的实施例中，高掺杂的n *区域可以用作发射极区域，载流子可从该区域注入间隙区域。 间隙区可以是p型，本征或中等掺杂的n型。 一个热欧姆接触连接到n *型区域。 冷欧姆接触用作集电极并且连接到间隙区域的另一侧。 冷欧姆接触具有形成在冷欧姆接触和间隙区域之间的复合区域以及减小热电回流部件的阻挡补偿层。 相对于收集器的加热发射器产生一个EMF，其驱动电流通过串联负载。 本发明的原理适用于空穴导电性以及电子。

公开(公告)号：US06294858B1

公开(公告)日：2001-09-25

申请号：US09257335

申请日：1999-02-25

Applicant: Donald B. King ,  Laurence P. Sadwick ,  Bernard R. Wernsman

Inventor： Donald B. King ,  Laurence P. Sadwick ,  Bernard R. Wernsman

IPC: G21H110

CPC classification number: H01J45/00

Abstract: 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.

Abstract translation: 具有高能量转换效率和可变工作温度的微型热离子转换器（MTC）。 还公开了使用半导体集成电路制造和微机械制造技术制造这些转换器的方法。 本发明的MTC包含大约1微米或更小的阴极至阳极间隔，并且使用具有约1eV至约3eV的功函数的阴极和阳极材料。 现有的现有技术的热离子转换器技术具有5-15％的能量转换效率。 本发明的MTC具有刚好在30％以下的最大效率，并且可以以适中的成本制造成千上万个装置。

公开(公告)号：US6064137A

公开(公告)日：2000-05-16

申请号：US414291

申请日：1998-02-05

Applicant: Rodney T. Cox

Inventor： Rodney T. Cox

IPC: H01J45/00 ,  H02N3/00

CPC classification number: H01J45/00 ,  H02N3/00

Abstract: A Vacuum Diode is constructed in which the electrodes of the Vacuum Diode are coated with a thin film of diamond-like carbonaceous material. The cathode and anode are separated by spacers and a rinse-able material, the rinse-able material which is later removed. Carbonaceous films and the related process for producing a thin film of ablated diamond are not previously known in connection with Vacuum Thermionic Converters, and provide a practical and improved means of constructing such devices.A Vacuum Thermionic Converter is optimized for the most efficient generation of electricity by utilizing a cathode and anode of very low work function. The relationship of the work functions of cathode and anode are shown to be optimized when the cathode work function is the minimum value required to maintain current density saturation at the desired temperature, while the anode's work function is as low as possible, and in any case lower than the cathode's work function. When this relationship is obtained, the efficiency of the original device is improved. It is further shown that contact potential difference between cathode and anode may be set against the effects of space charge, resulting in an improved device whereby anode and cathode may be set at a greater distance from each other than has been previously envisaged.

Abstract translation: 构建真空二极管，其中真空二极管的电极涂覆有类金刚石碳质材料的薄膜。 阴极和阳极通过间隔物和可冲洗材料分离，冲洗材料随后被去除。 碳酸膜和用于制造消融金刚石薄膜的相关方法在真空热电转换器中并不是先前已知的，并且提供了构建这种装置的实用和改进的手段。 真空热电转换器通过利用极低功函的阴极和阳极进行了优化，可以最有效地发电。 当阴极功函数是将电流密度饱和保持在所需温度所需的最小值，而阳极的功函数尽可能低时，阴极和阳极的功函数的关系被优化得到优化，并且在任何情况下 低于阴极的功能。 当获得这种关系时，提高了原始装置的效率。 进一步表明，阴极和阳极之间的接触电位差可以针对空间电荷的影响来设定，从而得到一种改进的装置，由此阳极和阴极可以被设置为比先前设想的更大的距离。

公开(公告)号：US4298768A

公开(公告)日：1981-11-03

申请号：US20180

申请日：1979-03-13

Applicant: Allan D. Israel ,  Herbert H. Fowler

Inventor： Allan D. Israel ,  Herbert H. Fowler

IPC: H01J45/00 ,  H02N3/00 ,  H01L37/00 ,  H01L35/30

CPC classification number: F28D15/02 ,  H01J45/00 ,  H02N3/00

Abstract: An electron current generator is disclosed which includes a non-electrical heat source, a heat pipe having its first end in thermal relationship with the heat source, and a second end projecting upwardly therefrom and constituting a thermionic emitter enclosed within a chamber containing an alkali metal vapor at a substantially reduced atmospheric pressure. A substantial portion of the chamber wall constitutes a thermionic collector which is cooled by an appropriate cooling means to enhance current generation. A body of liquid metal is disposed between the heat source and heat pipe as a thermal stabilizing agent while a solid state diode is arranged in a forward bias situation in the electrical output of the generator to stabilize the voltage thereby forming a constant voltage current generator.

Abstract translation: 公开了一种电子发生器，其包括非电热源，其第一端与热源热关系的第一端和从其向上突出的第二端，并构成封闭在含有碱金属的室内的热离子发射器 蒸气在大气压下显着降低。 室壁的主要部分构成热电子收集器，其由适当的冷却装置冷却以增强电流产生。 液体金属体设置在热源和热管之间作为热稳定剂，而固体二极管以发生器的电输出中的正向偏压状态布置，以稳定电压从而形成恒定电压电流发生器。

公开(公告)号：US4151438A

公开(公告)日：1979-04-24

申请号：US825518

申请日：1977-08-17

Applicant: Gary O. Fitzpatrick ,  Edward J. Britt

Inventor： Gary O. Fitzpatrick ,  Edward J. Britt

IPC: H01J45/00

CPC classification number: H01J45/00

Abstract: In a thermionic converter, means are provided for coupling an electrical lead to at least one of the electrodes thereof. The means include a bus bar and a plurality of distributed leads coupled to the bus bar each of which penetrates through one electrode and are then coupled to the other electrode of the converter in spaced apart relation.

Abstract translation: 在热离子转换器中，提供了用于将电引线耦合到其电极中的至少一个的装置。 该装置包括母线和耦合到总线的多个分布引线，每个引线穿过一个电极，然后以间隔的关系耦合到转换器的另一个电极。

公开(公告)号：US3719837A

公开(公告)日：1973-03-06

申请号：US3719837D

申请日：1971-02-18

Applicant: THOMSON CSF

Inventor： IMBERT F ,  SHROFF A

IPC: H01J45/00

CPC classification number: H01J45/00

Abstract: Self - regulating reservoir for ionizable material, incorporated in a thermoionic converter, having a two-stage structure, one stage masking the other, in which the masked section, of large capacity but poor regulating ability, constantly feeds the masking section, of small capacity, but good regulating ability.

公开(公告)号：US3705411A

公开(公告)日：1972-12-05

申请号：US3705411D

申请日：1970-12-02

Applicant: MC DONNELL DOUGLAS CORP

Inventor： DESTEESE JOHN G

IPC: G21H1/10 ,  H01J45/00 ,  H01M2/10 ,  H05K7/20 ,  H05K5/06

CPC classification number: H05K7/20 ,  G21H1/10 ,  H01J45/00 ,  H01M2/1022

Abstract: High temperature thermionic energy converter is supported inside a larger evacuated housing by electrically conductive, thin, flat spring means. Both radial and axial support of the converter are provided by a thin, flat spiral spring at each end thereof. Each spring includes a radially inner periphery which engages a corresponding converter end, and radially outer peripheral (finger) sections that engage respective parts of an annular circumferential area of the internal wall of the housing. Narrow curved fingers of each spring provide radial spring action and long thermal leakage paths to minimize the thermal conductance of the support system. Radical location of the converter is provided by spring action in the plane of the spiral, and axial support of the converter results from a diaphragm effect perpendicular to the spiral plane. Spring portions (snubbers) positioned normally near the housing internal wall limit the extent of radial spring motion by engaging such wall.

公开(公告)号：US3601638A

公开(公告)日：1971-08-24

申请号：US3601638D

申请日：1968-03-04

Applicant: EURATOM

Inventor： BUSSE CLAUS A

IPC: F28D15/04 ,  G21D7/04 ,  H01J45/00

CPC classification number: H01J45/00 ,  F28D15/04 ,  G21D7/04

Abstract: Disclosed are nuclear fuel heated thermionic converters. Heat pipes are provided to ensure isothermal heat transfer between the converters and the reactor.