US3648152A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermal to electrical power conversion system with solid-state switches with seebeck effect compensation
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1971-02-26
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Granted: 1972-03-07
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Expires: 1991-02-26
Abstract
Abstract A thermal to electrical power conversion system is disclosed in which switching of electrical currents to a load is performed by solid-state switches in which their Seebeck effect reduces the losses due to the ohmic voltage drops thereacross. In a system with a thermoelectric generator as the power source, the switches are designed with their source electrodes formed by the generator''s cold shoe at a temperature higher than a remotely located heat sink which forms the switches'' drain electrodes. The gate electrodes of the switches are connected to an electronic switch controller, which controls their conduction and cutoff states.
Inventors
- 👤 Katsunori Shimada
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 04:37
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02M; H02M7/00; H02M7/42; H02M7/44; H02M7/48; H02M7/53; H02M7/537; H02M7/538; H02M7/5381; G; G21; G21H; G21H1/00; G21H1/10; G21H1/103; H02N; H02N11/00; H02N11/002; H10; H10N; H10N10/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
A thermal to electrical power system comprising: means for converting thermal energy to electrical energy, said means including an outer surface at a first temperature, defining a first output terminal, and a second output terminal; solid-state means exhibiting Seebeck effect characteristics, and including first, second and third electrodes, said first electrode being in direct contact with said outer surface, said second electrode being positioned remotely from said outer surface at a temperature lower than said first temperature; load means connected to said second output terminal of said source and to the second electrode of said solid-state means; and control means connected to said third electrode of said solidstate means for controlling the state of conduction of said solid-state means, with the temperature difference between said first and second terminals of said solid-state means producing a Seebeck voltage across said solid-state means for counteracting the ohmic voltage drop across said solid-state means produced as a function of the current flowing therethrough from its first to second terminals and its internal resistance.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
170 words
A thermal to electrical power system comprising: means for converting thermal energy to electrical energy, said means including an outer surface at a first temperature, defining a first output terminal, and a second output terminal; solid-state means exhibiting Seebeck effect characteristics, and including first, second and third electrodes, said first electrode being in direct contact with said outer surface, said second electrode being positioned remotely from said outer surface at a temperature lower than said first temperature; load means connected to said second output terminal of said source and to the second electrode of said solid-state means; and control means connected to said third electrode of said solidstate means for controlling the state of conduction of said solid-state means, with the temperature difference between said first and second terminals of said solid-state means producing a Seebeck voltage across said solid-state means for counteracting the ohmic voltage drop across said solid-state means produced as a function of the current flowing therethrough from its first to second terminals and its internal resistance.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The arrangement as recited in claim 1 wherein the temperature difference between said first and second electrodes of said solid-state means is about 300* K.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The arrangement as recited in claim 1 wherein said solid-state means has a Seebeck coefficient of 3 X 10 4 volt/*K.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The arrangement as recited in claim 3 wherein the temperature difference between said first and second electrodes of said solid state means is about 300* K.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
60 words
The arrangement as recited in claim 1 wherein said source is a thermoelectric generator having an outer cold shoe at said first temperature with said outer surface being the outer surface of said cold shoe, and said solid-state means extend from said cold shoe defining said first electrode to a heat sink, defining the second electrode of said solid-state means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
The arrangement as recited in claim 5 wherein the temperature difference between said first and second electrodes of said solid-state means is about 300* K. and said solid-state means has a SeebecK coefficient in a range including the value of 3 X 10 4 volt/*K.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
93 words
The arrangement as recited in claim 1 wherein said solid-state means includes first and second solid-state switches and said load means comprises a step-up transformer having a primary winding with a center tap and a secondary winding, means connecting the second output terminal of said source to said center tap and the second electrodes of said first and second switches to opposite ends of said primary winding, with the first electrodes of said first and second switches in direct contact with said outer surface, and the third electrodes connected to said control means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The arrangement as recited in claim 7 wherein the temperature difference between said first and second electrodes of said solid-state means is about 300* K.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The arrangement as recited in claim 8 wherein said solid-state means has a Seebeck coefficient of 3 X 10 4 volt/*K.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
60 words
The arrangement as recited in claim 7 wherein said source is a thermoelectric generator having an outer cold shoe at said first temperature with said outer surface being the outer surface of said cold shoe, and said solid-state means extend from said cold shoe defining said first electrode to a heat sink, defining the second electrode of said solid-state means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
The arrangement as recited in claim 10 wherein the temperature difference between said first and second electrodes of said solid-state means is about 300* K. and said solid-state means has a Seebeck coefficient of 3 X 10 4 volt/*K.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-03-07 | 1975-09-06 | 1976-03-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-03-07 | 1979-09-06 | 1980-03-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-03-07 | 1983-09-06 | 1984-03-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |