NANOTUBE ELECTRON EMISSION THERMAL ENERGY TRANSFER DEVICES
First Claim
1. A nanotube-based heat transfer device, comprising:
- a substrate layer comprising a first conductive layer, wherein the substrate layer is adapted to conduct heat from an object to be cooled;
a plurality of carbon nanotubes disposed on the first conductive layer; and
an anode plate comprising a second conductive layer, wherein the anode plate is arranged substantially parallel to the substrate layer with the second conductive layer facing the first conductive layer, wherein the second conductive layer is disposed at a selected distance from the first conductive layer such that a gap exists between the second conductive layer and the plurality of carbon nanotubes, wherein the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer are adapted to connect to a power source to provide a bias electrical potential for inducing electron emission from the plurality of carbon nanotubes.
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Abstract
A nanotube-based heat transfer device includes a substrate layer having a first conductive layer, wherein the substrate layer is adapted to conduct heat from an object to be cooled; a plurality of carbon nanotubes disposed on the first conductive layer; and an anode plate having a second conductive layer, wherein the anode plate is arranged substantially parallel to the substrate layer with the second conductive layer facing the first conductive layer, wherein the second conductive layer is disposed at a selected distance from the first conductive layer such that a gap exists between the second conductive layer and the plurality of carbon nanotubes, wherein the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer are adapted to connect to a power source to provide a bias electrical potential for inducing electron emission from the plurality of carbon nanotubes.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A nanotube-based heat transfer device, comprising:
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a substrate layer comprising a first conductive layer, wherein the substrate layer is adapted to conduct heat from an object to be cooled;
a plurality of carbon nanotubes disposed on the first conductive layer; and
an anode plate comprising a second conductive layer, wherein the anode plate is arranged substantially parallel to the substrate layer with the second conductive layer facing the first conductive layer, wherein the second conductive layer is disposed at a selected distance from the first conductive layer such that a gap exists between the second conductive layer and the plurality of carbon nanotubes, wherein the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer are adapted to connect to a power source to provide a bias electrical potential for inducing electron emission from the plurality of carbon nanotubes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A heat transfer assembly comprising a plurality of nanotube-based heat transfer devices, wherein at least one of the plurality of nanotube-based heat transfer devices comprises:
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a substrate layer comprising a first conductive layer, wherein the substrate layer is adapted to conduct heat from an object to be cooled;
a plurality of carbon nanotubes disposed on the first conductive layer; and
an anode plate comprising a second conductive layer, wherein the anode plate is arranged substantially parallel to the substrate layer with the second conductive layer facing the first conductive layer, wherein the second conductive layer is disposed at a selected distance from the first conductive layer such that a gap exists between the second conductive layer and the plurality of carbon nanotubes, wherein the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer are adapted to connect to a power source to provide a bias electrical potential for inducing electron emission from the plurality of carbon nanotubes. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A thermal energy management system, comprising:
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a heat transfer assembly comprising a plurality of nanotube-based heat transfer devices; and
a first heat exchanger coupled to the heat transfer assembly;
wherein at least one of the plurality of nanotube-based heat transfer devices comprises;
a substrate layer comprising a first conductive layer, wherein the substrate layer is adapted to conduct heat from an object to be cooled;
a plurality of carbon nanotubes disposed on the first conductive layer; and
an anode plate comprising a second conductive layer, wherein the anode plate is arranged substantially parallel to the substrate layer with the second conductive layer facing the first conductive layer, wherein the second conductive layer is disposed at a selected distance from the first conductive layer such that a gap exists between the second conductive layer and the plurality of carbon nanotubes, wherein the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer are adapted to connect to a power source to provide a bias electrical potential for inducing electron emission from the plurality of carbon nanotubes. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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13. A nanotube-based heat-driven engine, comprising:
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an engine comprising a fluid, wherein controlled cooling and heating of the fluid provides energy to run the engine;
a cooling mechanism; and
a heating mechanism, wherein at least one selected from the cooling mechanism and the heating mechanism comprises a carbon nanotube-based heat transfer device, wherein the carbon nanotube-based heat transfer device comprising;
a substrate layer comprising a first conductive layer, wherein the substrate layer is adapted to conduct heat from an object to be cooled;
a plurality of carbon nanotubes disposed on the first conductive layer; and
an anode plate comprising a second conductive layer, wherein the anode plate is arranged substantially parallel to the substrate layer with the second conductive layer facing the first conductive layer, wherein the second conductive layer is disposed at a selected distance from the first conductive layer such that a gap exists between the second conductive layer and the plurality of carbon nanotubes, wherein the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer are adapted to connect to a power source to provide a bias electrical potential for inducing electron emission from the plurality of carbon nanotubes. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. A method for heat transfer, comprising:
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placing a carbon nanotube-based heat transfer device in contact with an object, wherein the carbon nanotube-based heat transfer device comprises;
a substrate layer comprising a first conductive layer, wherein the substrate layer is adapted to conduct heat from the object;
a plurality of carbon nanotubes disposed on the first conductive layer; and
an anode plate comprising a second conductive layer, wherein the anode plate is arranged substantially parallel to the substrate layer with the second conductive layer facing the first conductive layer, wherein the second conductive layer is disposed at a selected distance from the first conductive layer such that a gap exists between the second conductive layer and the plurality of carbon nanotubes, wherein the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer are adapted to connect to a power source to provide a bias electrical potential for inducing electron emission from the plurality of carbon nanotubes; and
applying a bias electrical potential across the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer of the carbon nanotube-based heat transfer device to induce electron emission from the plurality of the carbon nanotubes. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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Specification