METHOD AND STRUCTURE OF A MICROCHANNEL HEAT SINK DEVICE FOR MICRO-GAP THERMOPHOTOVOLTAIC ELECTRICAL ENERGY GENERATION

摘要

A method and device for maintaining a low temperature of a cold-side emitter for improving the efficiency of a sub-micron gap thermophotovoltaic cell structure. A thermophotovoltaic cell structure may comprise multiple layers compressed together by a force mechanism so that the sub-micron gap dimension is relatively constant although the layer boundaries may not be substantially flat compared to the relatively constant sub-micron dimension. The layered structure includes a hot side thermal emitter having a surface separated from a photovoltaic cell surface by a sub-micron gap having a dimension maintained by spacers. The surface of the photovoltaic cell opposite the sub-micron gap is compressibly positioned against a surface of microchannel heat sink and the surface of the microchannel heat sink opposite the photovoltaic cell is compressibly positioned against a flat metal plate layer and a compressible layer.

主权项

1. A layered structure for maintaining a uniform sub-micron gap and a low temperature of a cold-side photovoltaic collector of a thermophotovoltaic cell, comprising:
a layered structure including a hot side substrate separated from a cold side photovoltaic cell by a sub-micron gap maintained with spacers, a microchannel heat sink, a compressible layer, a flat rigid plate, and a force mechanism; the layered structure housed within an enclosure; the hot side substrate and the force mechanism maintained in rigid positional relationship with one another by the enclosure; and a compressing force maintained by the force mechanism on layers within the enclosure between the hot side substrate and the force mechanism for maintaining a uniform sub-micron gap and effective thermal conduction between the photovoltaic cell and the microchannel heat sink.