Multiband emitter matched to multilayer photovoltaic collector
First Claim
1. A thermophotovoltaic electric power generating system comprising:
- a ceramic emitter comprising a metal oxide having a low emissivity in about the same range as the emissivity of aluminum oxide, gallium oxide, thorium oxide, yttrium oxide, zirconium oxide, and at least one thermally stimulated quantum emitter material for emitting radiation in at least two wavelength bands when heated above a threshold temperature; and
a multilayer photovoltaic collector matched to the emitter for selectively absorbing radiation in the same wavelength bands emitted by the emitter.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A thermophotovoltaic electric generating system provides high thermal to electric conversion efficiency by use of matched radiation emitter and radiation collector. The radiation emitter comprises ceramic materials which emit thermally stimulated quantum radiation in at least two characteristic wavelength bands when heated above a threshold temperature. By employing a low emissivity ceramic doped with rare earth metal oxide, more than 50% of the radiation emitted from the surface can be concentrated in two or more characteristic wavelength bands. A multilayer photovoltaic device selectively absorbs the radiation at the characteristic wavelength bands for high electric conversion efficiency. An overlying layer of the photovoltaic collector selectively absorbs at least one of such characteristic wavelength bands and is transparent to another wavelength band which is absorbed by an underlying photovoltaic layer. Preferably the emitter is a porous fiber matrix surface combustion burner comprising primarily aluminum oxide, from 8 to 20% yttrium oxide, and a minor amount of rare earth metal oxide. A ceramic tube burner may be used in an embodiment with preheated air, the outside of the tube having such a thermally stimulated quantum emitter.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A thermophotovoltaic electric power generating system comprising:
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a ceramic emitter comprising a metal oxide having a low emissivity in about the same range as the emissivity of aluminum oxide, gallium oxide, thorium oxide, yttrium oxide, zirconium oxide, and at least one thermally stimulated quantum emitter material for emitting radiation in at least two wavelength bands when heated above a threshold temperature; and a multilayer photovoltaic collector matched to the emitter for selectively absorbing radiation in the same wavelength bands emitted by the emitter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A thermophotovoltaic electric power generating system comprising:
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an emitting surface comprising a low emissivity ceramic and including at least one thermally stimulated quantum emitting material; means for heating the surface to a sufficient temperature for stimulating such material to emit radiation in at least two characteristic wavelength bands; and a photovoltaic device having band gaps for selectively absorbing and converting to electric current radiation in said characteristic wavelength bands. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for generating electricity comprising:
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heating a ceramic surface to a sufficient temperature to emit quantum radiation in at least two characteristic wavelength bands, the ceramic surface comprising primarily an oxide of at least one metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum, gallium, yttrium, zirconium and thorium, and a minor amount of an oxide of a metal with unfilled inner electron shells; and selectively absorbing the characteristic wavelength bands in successive layers of a photovoltaic device for converting the radiation to electric current. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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Specification