Higher efficiency carbon nanotube antenna

• US 9,391,661 B2
• Filed: 10/08/2014
• Issued: 07/12/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jack Winters
• Original Assignee: Jack Winters
• Inventors: Winters, Jack
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, THANH C
• Application Number:
  US14/510,096
• Publication Number:
  US 20150099479A1
• Time in Patent Office: 643 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 3/24 of transmitter output stages
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/04 Circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/1607 Supply circuits converters H02M; filters therefor H02M1/14; voltage stabilisers G05F1/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2001/0408 with power amplifiers

Abstract

A signal transmitter includes a carbon nanotube antenna and a heat to electricity conversion device, which powers an amplifier in the transmitter. The heat from the inefficiency of the antenna is conducted to the heat to electricity conversion device. Additional heat from the transmitter electronics and any other inefficient processes can also be conducted to the heat to electricity conversion device. In this manner, the overall efficiency of the carbon nanotube antenna can be substantially increased.

Claims

1. A signal transmitter comprising a carbon nanotube antenna, a heat to electricity conversion device, and transmitter electronics containing an amplifier, wherein the amplifier is powered by the heat to electricity conversion device, and heat supplied to the heat to conversion device is conducted from the antenna.

2. The signal transmitter of claim 1 wherein the heat to electricity conversion device is a thermocouple.

3. The signal transmitter of claim 1 wherein the heat to electricity conversion device is a thermionic generator.

4. The signal transmitter of claim 1 further comprising graphene electronics of the amplifier or the antenna to transfer heat to the heat to electricity conversion device.

5. The signal transmitter of claim 1 further comprising a graphene enclosure surrounding at least part of the transmitter electronics connected to the heat to electricity conversion device.