U.S. patents available from 1976 to present.
U.S. patent applications available from 2005 to present.

Spectral control for thermophotovoltaic generators

Patent 5403405 Issued on April 4, 1995. Estimated Expiration Date: Icon_subject December 22, 2013. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Patent References

3751303

Incandescent lamp with infrared filter
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Thermophotovoltaic converter and cell for use therein
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Inventor: Swanson

Thermophotovoltaic converter
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Inventor: Palazzetti ,   et al.

Multiband emitter matched to multilayer photovoltaic collector
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Issued on: 10/11/1988
Inventor: Goldstein

Thermophotovoltaic technology
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Issued on: 12/11/1990
Inventor: Nelson

Reversing linear flow TPV process and apparatus
Patent #: 5044939
Issued on: 09/03/1991
Inventor: Dehlsen

Tandem photovoltaic solar cell with III-V diffused junction booster cell
Patent #: 5091018
Issued on: 02/25/1992
Inventor: Fraas, et al.

Panel for solar concentrators and tandem cell units
Patent #: 5096505
Issued on: 03/17/1992
Inventor: Fraas, et al.

III-V solar cells and doping processes
Patent #: 5217539
Issued on: 06/08/1993
Inventor: Fraas, et al.

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Inventors

Application

No. 171426 filed on 12/22/1993

US Classes:

136/253, Radioactive, ionic, or thermo photo136/257Luminescent layer or optical filter

Examiners

Primary: Weisstuch, Aaron

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Foreign Patent References

  • 63-316486 JP 12/13/1988

International Classes

H01L 031/058
H01L 031/023.2

Abstract

In the present invention, a thermophotovoltaic electric power generator is described. It contains low bandgap photovoltaic cells sensitive in the infrared out to at least 1.7 microns and a broadband infrared emitter with a shortpass IR filter located between the cells and the emitter to recycle the nonuseful IR back to the emitter. Several specific IR filter designs as well as filter/cell and filter/emitter combinations are described all of which improve the overall generator conversion efficiency.

Other References

  • H. Hofler et al, Solar Cells, vol. 10, pp. 273-286 (Dec. 1983)
  • H. Hofler et al, Proceedings, 5th E.C. Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference, Athens, Greece, Oct. 1983, pp. 225-229
  • Fraas, A. P., Heat Exchanger Design Operating on Radiant Energy, Wiley-Interscience Publication, pp. 265-382 (U.S.A. 1989)
  • Fraas, A. P., Characteristics of Heat Sources, Engineering Evaluation of Energy Systems, pp. 96-125 McGraw-Hill (U.S.A. 1982)
  • Morgan, M.D. et al., Radioisotope Thermal Photovoltaic Application of the GaSb Solar Cell, NASA SPRAT Conference, pp. 349-358 (U.S.A. 1989)
  • Doellner, O. L., Aircraft Photovoltaic Power-Generating System, PhD Thesis University of Arizona, (USA 1991), p. 154
  • Fraas, A. P., Design and Development Tests of Direct-Condensing Potassium Radiators, USAEC Report Conf-651026, (U.S.A. 1965)
  • Tester, et al., Comprative Performance Characteristics of Cylindrical Prabolic and Flat Plate Solar Eneergy Collectros, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, pp. 1-3 (U.S.A. 1974)
  • Fraas, A. P., Effects of Directed and Kinetic Energy Weapons on Spacecraft, Oak Ridge Nat'l Lab, pp. 1-76 (1986)
  • Fraas, et al., Summary of the Research and Development Effort on Ceramic Gas Turbines, Oak Ridge National Laboratories, pp. 1-33 (U.S.A. 1977)
  • Howe, E. E. et al., The Characteristics of Atmospheric-Type Burners when Used with Natural Gas, Transactions of the A.S.M.E., pp. 673-677 (U.S.A. 1940)
  • Fraas, A. P., Magneto-Hydrodynamic Systems, Engineering Evaluation of Energy Systems, pp. 437-461, McGraw-Hill, Inc., 1982
  • Day, A. C., et al., Application of the GaSb Solar Cell in Isotope-Heated Power Systems, Conference Record, 21st IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conf. Kissimmee, pp. 1320-1325, Fla., 1990
  • Kittl and Guazzoni, Design Analysis of TPV-Generator System, Proc. 25th Annual Power Sources Conf., pp. 106-110 (U.S.A. 1972)
  • Woolf, L. D., Optimum Efficiency of Single and Multiple Bandgap Cells in Theromphotovoltaic Energy Conversion, Solar Cells, 19, pp. 19-20 (U.S.A. 1986-87)
  • Macleod, H. A., Thin Film Optical Filters, Chapter 6, McGraw-Hill Publishing Co., (1989
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