HYBRID THERMIONIC ENERGY CONVERTER AND METHOD THEREOF

摘要

FIELD: solid-state devices for heat-to-electricity conversion or devices using electrical energy for cooling. ^ SUBSTANCE: novelty is that thermal separation is maintained between emitter and collector by means of partial surface contact whose cross-sectional area is reducing toward contacting point. This thermal separation maintained between emitter and collector ensures electron transfer through barrier and reduced transfer of electrons due to heat conduction. In this way efficiency is enhanced due to accumulation of ballistic electrons and amount of heat-conduction electrons that cannot be accumulated is reduced. Proposed principle is true both for electron and hole conduction. Method is also proposed for manufacturing solid-state thermionic converter. ^ EFFECT: enhanced energy density and efficiency under thermal conditions typical of thermionic devices. ^ 29 cl, 22 dwg