Hydrocarbon fired room heater with thermophotovoltaic electric generator
First Claim
1. A thermophotovoltaic generator apparatus comprising a hydrocarbon burner for generating a flame, an emitter positioned with respect to the hydrocarbon flame for emitting infrared radiation when heated by the flame, a receiver spaced from the emitter for receiving the infrared radiation and for converting the infrared radiation to electric power, and an exhaust chimney positioned adjacent the receiver, the chimney further comprising an open top and an open bottom.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A hydrocarbon fired room heater with thermophotovoltaic electric generator has high power outputs without cell overheating and failure. The unit includes a burner for generating a hydrocarbon flame, a catalytic emitter positioned in the hydrocarbon flame for emitting infrared radiation when heated by the flame, a receiver positioned around the catalytic emitter for receiving the infrared radiation and for converting the infrared radiation to electric power, an exhaust chimney positioned adjacent the receiver, and air draw ducts having uncovered tops, upper parts, and lower parts and positioned adjacent the chimney and the receiver for directing heat up and away from the receiver. The chimney is positioned directly above the top edge of the receiver, and the air draw ducts are positioned adjacent the receiver and chimney for defining air draw channels. Each air draw duct is a generally U-shaped member having a pair of side walls and a boundary wall extending between the side walls. The side walls of the upper part of each air draw duct are connected to the chimney and the side walls of the lower part of the first air duct extends around the heat sinks of the first circuit and the lower part of the second air duct extends around the heat sinks of the second circuit. The burner is a gas-fired, wall-mounted heater having a fuel/air mixing tube and multiple flame ports. The emitter is v-shaped and opens downward towards the burner.
62 Citations
25 Claims
- 1. A thermophotovoltaic generator apparatus comprising a hydrocarbon burner for generating a flame, an emitter positioned with respect to the hydrocarbon flame for emitting infrared radiation when heated by the flame, a receiver spaced from the emitter for receiving the infrared radiation and for converting the infrared radiation to electric power, and an exhaust chimney positioned adjacent the receiver, the chimney further comprising an open top and an open bottom.
- 21. A heater and thermophotovoltaic generator apparatus, comprising a burner for generating a flame, an emitter positioned near the flame for emitting infrared radiation when heated by the flame, a receiver positioned around the emitter for receiving the infrared radiation and for converting the infrared radiation to electric power, an exhaust chimney positioned adjacent the receiver, and air draw ducts having upper parts and lower parts and positioned adjacent the chimney and the receiver for directing heat up and away from the receiver and away from the chimney, the chimney further comprising an open top and an open bottom, the receiver further comprising first and second circuits of thermophotovoltaic cells positioned on opposite sides of the emitter, wherein the cells have outer surfaces and heat sinks connected to the outer surfaces, wherein the chimney is positioned above the receiver cells, wherein each air draw duct further comprises a generally U-shaped member having a pair of side walls and an outer wall extending between the side walls, and wherein the side walls of the upper part of each air draw duct are connected to the chimney and the side walls of the lower parts of the air ducts extend around the heat sinks of the cells and the lower parts of the air ducts extend downward beneath the burner.
- 23. A thermophotovoltaic generation method, comprising the steps of suspending an emitter above a flame port of a burner, positioning a receiver around the emitter, positioning a chimney having an open top and an open bottom above the receiver, producing a flame by combining hydrocarbon fuel and air in the burner, heating the emitter and producing infrared energy, collecting the infrared energy in the receiver, removing heat through heat sink cooling fins extending from the receiver, converting the infrared energy to DC electric power, and drawing exhaust gases generated by the heating step and air from beneath the burner up through the chimney and over the heat sink fins for cooling the receiver.
Specification