Method of forming a thermally enhanced energy generator

• US 9,865,793 B2
• Filed: 10/04/2006
• Issued: 01/09/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Conceptual Werks Llc
• Original Assignee: Conceptual Werks Llc
• Inventors: Beretich, Thomas McPhail
• Primary Examiner(s): BERNIER, LINDSEY A
• Application Number:
  US11/543,001
• Publication Number:
  US 20080083444A1
• Time in Patent Office: 4,115 Days
• Field of Search: 136205, 136251, 136259, 136263, 136200, 136201, 136232, 136237, 136239, 136241, 429111-112, 4292318, 361502-503, 257 43, 257467, 257 40, 257E51001-E51052, 257E31001-E31031, 252 622, 252511-514, 427466, 438 54, 438 55
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 9/02 Diaphragms; Separators
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 9/04 Electrodes or formation of dielectric layers thereon
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 9/21 Temperature-sensitive devices
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 14/00 Electrochemical current or voltage generators not provided for in groups H01M6/00 - H01M12/00; Manufacture thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/36 containing electrolyte and made operational by physical means, e.g. thermal cells
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 10/00 Thermoelectric devices comprising a junction of dissimilar materials, i.e. devices exhibiting Seebeck or Peltier effects integrated devices or assemblies of multiple devices H10N19/00
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 10/01 Manufacture or treatment
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 10/10 operating with only the Peltier or Seebeck effects
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 10/80 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 10/855 comprising compounds containing boron, carbon, oxygen or nitrogen
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A method for forming an energy generating device which includes two layers of dissimilar materials in terms of electron density and configuration in contact with each other, sandwiched between an anode and a cathode. The two layers of dissimilar materials are each formed as a paste or ink and include an ionic material absorbed or incorporated into the two layers of dissimilar material. The ionic material facilitates the flow of electrons within the device, thereby creating a cell with an electric potential across an interface of the two layers of dissimilar material.

Claims

1. A method for forming an energy generating device comprising the steps of:

forming a generator comprising at least one cell, the at least one cell comprising a first electrode and a second electrode,

wherein the first electrode comprises a first layer of a first solid, planar binder material formed as a first paste or ink on a first conductive base in direct contact with the second electrode comprising a second layer of a second solid, planar binder material formed as a second paste or ink on a second conductive base, the first and second conductive bases in electrical contact with a power circuit;

drying the first and second pastes or inks;

absorbing or incorporating an ionic material into the first and second layers of the at least one cell to facilitate the flow of electrons from a first side of the at least one cell to a second side of the at least one cell, thereby creating at least one cell with an electric potential across an interface of the first and second layers of material;

wherein the first and second conductive bases are formed of a material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, copper, iron, stainless steel, zinc-coated stainless steel, carbon plates and tungsten; and

wherein the first layer of material comprises carbon and the second layer of material is selected from the group consisting of praseodymium oxide, zirconium oxide, silica, titanium oxide, zinc oxide, tin oxide, nickel oxide, iron oxide, copper oxide, cuprous oxide, cupric oxide, chromium oxide, manganese oxide, thorium oxide, aluminum oxide and silicon carbide.

2. The method for forming an energy generating device of claim 1, wherein the ionic material is a liquid or a solid.

3. The method for forming an energy generating device of claim 1, wherein the ionic material consists of the following ingredients in any proportion:

water, propylene glycol and sodium chloride.

4. The method for forming an energy generating device of claim 1, further comprising the step of encapsulating the at least one cell in glass, plastic, ceramic, epoxy or acrylic.

5. The method for forming an energy generating device of claim 1, further comprising the step of adding a heat storage element.

6. The method for forming an energy generating device of claim 1, further comprising the step of adding an insulative sealant around the at least one cell.

7. The method for forming an energy generating device of claim 1, further comprising the step of adding a black body absorber to the at least one cell.

8. The method for forming an energy generating device of claim 1, further comprising the step of adding a heating element to heat the at least one cell.

9. A method for forming an energy generating device comprising the steps of:

forming a generator comprising at least one cell, the at least one cell comprising a first electrode and a second electrode,

wherein the first electrode comprises a first layer of a first solid, planar binder material formed as a first paste or ink on a first conductive base in direct contact with the second electrode comprising a second layer of a second solid, planar binder material formed as a second paste or ink on a second conductive base, the first and second conductive bases in electrical contact with a power circuit;

wherein at least one of the first and second electrodes is formed as a tile;

absorbing or incorporating an ionic material into the first and second layers of the at least one cell to facilitate the flow of electrons from a first side of the at least one cell to a second side of the at least one cell, thereby creating at least one cell with an electric potential across an interface of the first and second layers of material;

wherein the first and second conductive bases are formed of a material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, copper, iron, stainless steel, zinc-coated stainless steel, carbon plates and tungsten;

wherein the first layer of material comprises carbon and the second layer of material is selected from the group consisting of praseodymium oxide, zirconium oxide, silica, titanium oxide, zinc oxide, tin oxide, nickel oxide, iron oxide, copper oxide, cuprous oxide, cupric oxide, chromium oxide, manganese oxide, thorium oxide, aluminum oxide and silicon carbide.

10. The method for forming an energy generating device of claim 9, wherein the ionic material is a liquid or a solid.

11. The method for forming an energy generating device of claim 9, wherein the ionic material consists of the following ingredients in any proportion:

water, propylene glycol and sodium chloride.

12. The method for forming an energy generating device of claim 9, further comprising the step of encapsulating the at least one cell in glass, plastic, ceramic, epoxy or acrylic.

13. The method for forming an energy generating device of claim 9, further comprising the step of adding a heat storage element.

14. The method for forming an energy generating device of claim 9, further comprising the step of adding an insulative sealant around the at least one cell.

15. The method for forming an energy generating device of claim 9, further comprising the step of adding a black body absorber to the at least one cell.

16. The method for forming an energy generating device of claim 9, further comprising the step of adding a heating element to heat the at least one cell.