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Thermophotovoltaic technology

  • US 5,057,162 A
  • Filed: 10/31/1990
  • Issued: 10/15/1991
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/02/1983
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method of thermophotovoltaic power generation comprising the steps ofproviding a rare earth metal oxide radiator member that has a cross-sectional dimension in the range of five-thirty micrometers,disposing a photovoltaic device in optically coupled relation to said radiation member, said photovoltaic device having an electron production threshold,thermally exciting said radiator member to cause it to emit radiation that has a wavelength peak below said electron production threshold,said radiator member, when heated to about 1700°

  • C., having a concentrated radiated flux over the 400-2500 nanometer wavelength range such that at least 50% of said radiated flux is within a band less than 400 nanometers in width,directing the emitted radiation from said radiator onto said photovoltaic device to generate an electrical output, said radiator-photovoltaic system having a photon conversion efficiency of more than fifty percent;

    monitoring the electrical output of said photovoltaic device with a control circuit; and

    modulating the flow of fuel to said radiator in response to the monitored electrical output of said photovoltaic device to control the electrical output of said photovoltaic device.

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