Patent US4681981A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4681981A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermovoltaic cells
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1985-07-29
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Granted: 1987-07-21
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Expires: 2005-07-29
Abstract
Abstract An electricity-producing cell utilizing a foamed multiple thermocouple made of a conductive open-cellular foam matrix, a portion of which forms a first pole with a plurality of discrete conductors of a different material from the foam matrix embedded in the foam having a portion of each of the discrete conductors being exposed on the insides of the cells of the foam forming a plurality of thermocouples with means to contact the discrete conductors to convey current produced by the thermocouples to a second pole with means to heat the discrete conductors, in some embodiments, being radioactive isotopes.
Inventors
- 👤 Gregory R. Brotz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 01:50
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10N; H10N10/00; H10N10/10; H10N10/17
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
An electric current-generating cell comprising: an open-cellular foamed multiple thermocouple having a conductive matrix with a plurality of conductors of different material from said matrix embedded in said foam matrix with a portion of each conductor exposed on the inside of said cells; a vessel containing such open-cellular foamed multiple thermocouple; an electroconductor contacting a portion of said foam matrix; means to excite said open-cellular foamed multiple thermocouple to produce electric current; electrode means to carry said electric current outside said open-cellular foamed multiple thermocouple, said electrode means being further adapted to form said cells' output terminals, said electrode means further including: a first electrode entered into said vessel and surrounded by said open-cellular foamed multiple thermocouple; and a second electrode contiguous with said electroconductor contacting said foam matrix.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
129 words
An electric current-generating cell comprising: an open-cellular foamed multiple thermocouple having a conductive matrix with a plurality of conductors of different material from said matrix embedded in said foam matrix with a portion of each conductor exposed on the inside of said cells; a vessel containing such open-cellular foamed multiple thermocouple; an electroconductor contacting a portion of said foam matrix; means to excite said open-cellular foamed multiple thermocouple to produce electric current; electrode means to carry said electric current outside said open-cellular foamed multiple thermocouple, said electrode means being further adapted to form said cells' output terminals, said electrode means further including: a first electrode entered into said vessel and surrounded by said open-cellular foamed multiple thermocouple; and a second electrode contiguous with said electroconductor contacting said foam matrix.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The cell of claim 1 wherein said means to excite said thermocouples include a thermally active isotope in a conductive medium penetrating into all the foamed cells and heating said thermocouples.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
67 words
The electric current-generating cell of claim 2 further including: a metallic electroconductive layer coating said open-cellular foamed multiple thermocouple; a vacuum chamber formed around said metallic-coated open-cellular foamed multiple thermocouple said first electrode extending from within the metallic-coated open-cellular foamed multiple thermocouple; and said second electrode positioned in the vacuum chamber formed around the metallic-coated open-cellular foam multiple thermocouple, said second electrode contacting said metallic electroconductive layer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The electric current-generating cell of claim 2 wherein said thermally-active isotope is contained in fuel pebbles each having a fusing-resistant coating, said cell further including means to enter said fuel pebbles into said cell and means to remove said pebbles quickly from said cell.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The electric current-generating cell of claim 2 wherein said conductive medium is a vacuum.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The electric current-generating cell of claim 4 wherein said foamed multiple thermocouple is positioned around the insides of said cell forming a chamber in the interior thereof into which said first electrode enters and which chamber contains said fuel pebbles.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The electric current-generating cell of claim 6 wherein said foamed multiple thermocouple is covered by a layer of porous ceramic foam around said chamber.
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) | 1990-07-20 | 1991-01-19 | 1991-07-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-07-20 | 1995-01-19 | 1995-07-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-07-20 | 1999-01-19 | 1999-07-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |