US3169200A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermotunnel converter
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1962-06-22
•
Granted: 1965-02-09
•
Expires: 1982-06-22
Abstract
No abstract record available.
Inventors
- 👤 Fred N Huffman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 02:20
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J45/00; H10; H10D; H10D99/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
APPARARTUS FOR CONVERTING THERMAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY COMPRISING: (1) AT LEAST ONE ELECTRON EMISSIVE SURFACE; (2) A SECOND SURFACE DISPOSED CLOSELY ADJACENT THERETO TO DEFINE A GAP OF WIDTH LESS THAN 40 ANGSTROM UNITS BETWEEN SAID SURFACES; (3) MEANS FOR CREATING A TEMPERATURE GRADIENT BETWEEN SAID SURFACES, WITH SAID EMSSIVE SURFACE THE HOTTER TO PRODUCE A FLOW OF ELECTRONS TO SAID SECOND SURFACE ACROSS SAID GAP BY MEANS OF THE QUANTUM MECHANICAL TUNNEL EFFECT; AND (4) MEANS TO THERMALLY INSULATE SAID SURFACES FROM EACH OTHER ACROSS SAID GAP.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
89 words
APPARARTUS FOR CONVERTING THERMAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY COMPRISING: (1) AT LEAST ONE ELECTRON EMISSIVE SURFACE; (2) A SECOND SURFACE DISPOSED CLOSELY ADJACENT THERETO TO DEFINE A GAP OF WIDTH LESS THAN 40 ANGSTROM UNITS BETWEEN SAID SURFACES; (3) MEANS FOR CREATING A TEMPERATURE GRADIENT BETWEEN SAID SURFACES, WITH SAID EMSSIVE SURFACE THE HOTTER TO PRODUCE A FLOW OF ELECTRONS TO SAID SECOND SURFACE ACROSS SAID GAP BY MEANS OF THE QUANTUM MECHANICAL TUNNEL EFFECT; AND (4) MEANS TO THERMALLY INSULATE SAID SURFACES FROM EACH OTHER ACROSS SAID GAP.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3053923A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1968-02-09 | 1968-08-10 | 1969-02-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1972-02-09 | 1972-08-10 | 1973-02-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1976-02-09 | 1976-08-10 | 1977-02-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |