Batteries: thermoelectric and photoelectric – Thermoelectric – Electric power generator
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-19
2001-06-12
Gorgos, Kathryn (Department: 1741)
Batteries: thermoelectric and photoelectric
Thermoelectric
Electric power generator
C310S306000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06245986
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to an electric-current-producing thermoelectric device for connection to an electrical load.
2. Description of the Related Art
One of the most nearly related prior art devices, Krake et al, U.S. Pat. No. 3,358,162, requires controlling its two electrodes at different temperatures, a complication which the present invention does not have.
Another related prior art device is, Hartman, U.S. Pat. No. 4,019,113. Hartman apparently requires electrodes comprised of differing metals, a further contrast to the present invention. It appears that previous thermoelectric cells are designed for high temperature operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention, an electrical-current-producing thermoelectric device (better called a thermoelectronic device) producing electrical current as a result of the device absorbing heat from its surroundings is described in four embodiments, the first, the second and the third and fourth embodiments.
Each of the four embodiments has both its anodic and cathodic means associated with the temperature of their surroundings, resulting in both means tending to the temperature of their surroundings. Neither anodic nor cathodic means is deliberately controlled at a temperature different from the other.
Each of the three embodiments is comprised of three separate component means although there may be adhesion of contacting components from different modes of manufacture. It is essential that contacting components be firmly in contact. Also, the electrodes (anode and cathode) of the present invention may be comprised of the same material.
In the instance of the first embodiment, the three components constituting a thermoelectric cell are an anodic means (the electron collector), a cathodic means, and an electron emitter means, the emitter means, (the emitter means displaying thermally-induced electron emission).
In the instance of the second embodiment, the three components constituting a thermoelectric cell are two separate electron emitter means (thermally induced) and an electrically conductive electron collector means common to both the emitter means.
The first embodiment comprises at least one thermoelectric cell comprised in part of material which displays thermally-induced electron emission, the emitter means. The first embodiment further comprises an anodic means and a smaller cathodic means, each of which is electrically conductive, the anodic means being the primary electron collector of emitted electrons so that the anodic means displays a higher potential than does the cathodic means, the anodic and cathodic means being firmly against the emitter means and in electrical contact with the emitter means, and the area of contact of the anodic means with the emitter means is greater than the area of contact of the cathodic means with the emitter means. A conductor lead, not a part of cell design, extends from electrical contact with each of the anodic and cathodic means on
FIG. 1
herein and serves to point out the efficacy of having anodic means, cathodic means and conductor leads comprised of the same material for cells in series.
The second embodiment comprises at least one thermoelectric cell comprised of three components, two electron emitter means (displaying thermally-induced electron emission), a smaller and a larger electron emitter means, and of an electrically conductive electron collecting means, the collector, common to both the emitter means. The above two emitter means are in firm and electrical contact with the electron collector means so as to establish an anodic means on one area of the electron collecting means, the area contacting the larger emitter means and a cathodic means on another area of the electron collecting means, the area contacting the smaller emitter means. Both anodic and cathodic means, that is the collector means, are associated with the temperature of their surroundings. A conductor lead, not a part of cell design, extends from electrical contact with each of the cathodic means and anodic means on
FIG. 2
herein and serves to point out the efficacy of having cathodic means, anodic means and conductor leads comprised of the same material for cells in series.
The third embodiment is like the first embodiment wherein the anodic means is essentially immersed in the emitter means. The emitter means is the third embodiment may be comprised partially or entirely of a metal salt or oxide. Metal salts with which cells have been built are not normally electrically conductive but make cells apparently electrically conductive because electrons returning through a cell's cathode act to replace diminished electrons in the cell's emitter so that the cell's emitter has in effect some electrical conductivity.
It has been experienced that a ratio of the length of the anodic means to the width of the anodic means can usually be determined experimentally which optimizes cell output for a cell of specific materials and construction.
The three embodiments shown herein are more simple than prior art devices.
Testing has indicated that each of the three embodiments may at times indicate reversed electrical polarity. Polarity of the cells is as shown by testing with a meter.
Polarity of a cell like the present invention appears more nearly constant if electrical impedence and resistance within the cell, that is between the anode and cathode, are less than the electrical impedence and resistance in a circuit external to the cell. The electrical resistance appears to have two different components, and there should be less of each component within the cell than in a circuit external to said cell, that of conventional resistance accompanied by a potential drop in the direction of current flow, and that of deterring migration of electrons from electron void to electron void in a conductor without a potential drop in the direction of flow and possibly against potential rise in the direction of flow as appears to exist from the cathode to anode within a cell like the present invention. Perhaps the electron migration may be compared to the rise of lamp oil in a wick, wherein “surface tension” is supplied by anode depletion of emitter electrons and attendant attraction of voids for electrons. Resistance to deter the electron migration probably requires conductor material of relatively higher work function compared to common conductors. Resistance to deter the migration was apparently obtained in tests of the present invention by using a voltmeter in series in circuits external to cells under test. The volt meter's role in deterring “migration” has since been accomplished with high resistance/low wattage resistance in parallel with a capacitor.
The cells usually require time to reach equilibrium.
Experience has shown that the present invention can be used as an electrical resistor when arranged to oppose a current.
The only limitations on the temperature range over which the cells of the three embodiments will perform are that high temperature must not be high enough to damage the components of the cells (for example, reach the melting point of a component but not limited to such a situation) and low temperature must be high enough for the thermally-induced voltage and amperage from the cell to be useful, which depends on the application. Some embodiments of the present invention have been demonstrated functional at temperatures ranging from 29° F. to 150° F.
A fourth embodiment is a cell like the third embodiment,
FIG. 3
, wherein an electron collecting means extends full length of an emitter means and the end of the electron collecting means which is an anode terminal is determined as that end nearest “electron migration” deterring resistance and impedance in a circuit external to the cell. The fourth embodiment has been shown functional. It appears that assemblies of the electron collecting means and the emitter means can be placed in series with “electron migration” deterring means at one end of the series in a circuit and the assemb
Gorgos Kathryn
Parsons Thomas H
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