Batteries: thermoelectric and photoelectric – Thermoelectric – Nuclear energy type
Patent
1987-09-08
1989-02-28
Nelson, Peter A.
Batteries: thermoelectric and photoelectric
Thermoelectric
Nuclear energy type
136212, H01L 3700
Patent
active
048082406
ABSTRACT:
The present invention pertains to a stacked AMTEC module. The invention includes a tubular member which has an interior. The member is comprised of a ion conductor that substantially conducts ions relative to electrons, preferably a beta"-alumina solid electrolyte, positioned about the interior. A porous electrode for conducting electrons and allowing sodium ions to pass therethrough, and wherein electrons and sodium ions recombine to form sodium is positioned about the beta"-alumina solid electrolyte. The electrode is operated at a temperature and a pressure that allows the recombined sodium to vaporize. Additionally, an outer current collector grid for distributing electrons throughout the porous electrode is positioned about and contacts the porous electrode. Also included in the invention is transporting means for transporting liquid sodium to the beta"-alumina solid electrolyte of the tubular member. A transition piece is positioned about the interior of the member and contacts the transporting means. The transition piece divides the member into a first cell and a second cell such that each first and second cell has a beta"-alumina solid electrolyte, a first and second porous electrode and a grid. The transition piece conducts electrons from the interior of the tubular member. There is supply means for supplying sodium to the transporting means. Preferably the supply means is a shell which surrounds the tubular member and is operated at a temperature such that the vaporized sodium condenses thereon. Returning means for returning the condensed sodium from the shell to the transporting means provides a continuous supply of liquid sodium to the transporting means. Also, there are first conducting means for conducting electric current from the transition piece which extends through the shell, and second conducting means for conducting electric current to the grid of the first cell which extends through the shell.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3897271 (1975-07-01), Kim
patent: 3931532 (1976-01-01), Byrd
patent: 4338560 (1982-07-01), Lemley
Sodium Heat Engine/AMTEC System Experiments, T. K. Hunt, J. U. Lasecki, R. F. Novak, J. R. McBride and J. T. Brockway, Ford Motor Company, 4th Space Nuclear Power Conf., Jan. 5, 1987.
Research on the Sodium Heat Engine, T. K. Hunt, Neill Weber and Terry Cole, Ford Motor Company, SAE/P-78/75, 1978.
Alkali Metal Thermoelectric Conversion (AMTEC), Technology Status Review by C. P. Bankston, 3rd Symposium on Space Nuclear Power Systems.
Research Program on the Sodium Heat Engine, Phase 4 Final Report 1986, DOE/CE-40651-1.
Nelson Peter A.
The United States of America as represented by the United States
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