Isotope cell

Abstract

The embodiment of the present application provides an isotope battery, comprising: a shell; an isotope light source arranged in the shell, the isotope light source is used for radiating photons outward, the isotope light source comprises a radioactive isotope film, wherein the photons are emitted outward from the circumferential side of the isotope light source, and the circumferential side is substantially perpendicular to the radioactive isotope film; and at least one photoelectric conversion device arranged in the shell, the at least one photoelectric conversion device faces the circumferential side of the isotope light source and is used for receiving the photons to convert into electric energy. Since the photons are emitted outward from the side of the isotope light source which is substantially perpendicular to the radioactive isotope film, and meanwhile each photoelectric conversion device faces the side of the radioactive isotope film, on the one hand, the photoelectric conversion device can receive a large number of photons, and on the other hand, the number of beta particles generated by the radioactive isotope decay entering the photoelectric conversion device can be greatly reduced, so that the photoelectric conversion body can be prevented from causing a significant irradiation dose.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the technical field of obtaining electrical energy from a radioactive source, and particularly to an isotope battery. Background Technology

[0002] An isotope battery is a type of nuclear battery that converts the decay energy of radioactive isotopes into electrical energy. Isotope batteries can be classified into thermoelectric cells, photovoltaic cells, solar photovoltaic cells, Stirling cells, etc., based on their conversion methods.

[0003] The basic principle of a photovoltaic cell is to use the β particles generated by the decay of radioactive isotopes to excite the electrons outside the atomic nucleus of the luminescent material to undergo energy level transitions. When the excited electrons de-excite, they produce fluorescence. The fluorescence is then collected by the photovoltaic device and converted into electron-hole pairs, which are separated under the action of the built-in electric field of the semiconductor device. Finally, they form a loop with the load to output current. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides an isotope battery. The isotope battery includes: a housing; an isotope light source disposed within the housing, the isotope light source being used to radiate photons outward, the isotope light source including a radioactive isotope thin film, wherein photons are emitted outward from a circumferential side of the isotope light source, the circumferential side being substantially perpendicular to the radioactive isotope thin film; and at least one photoelectric conversion device disposed within the housing, the at least one photoelectric conversion device facing the circumferential side of the isotope light source, for receiving photons and converting them into electrical energy.

[0005] In the embodiments of this application, since photons are emitted from the side of the isotope light source that is substantially perpendicular to the side of the radioactive isotope film, and each photoelectric conversion device faces the side of the radioactive isotope film, on the one hand, it is ensured that the photoelectric conversion device can receive a large number of photons, and on the other hand, since the photoelectric conversion device faces the side of the radioactive isotope film, the number of β particles generated by radioactive isotope decay entering the photoelectric conversion device can be greatly reduced, thereby avoiding significant radiation dose to the photoelectric converter. Attached Figure Description

[0006] Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, and will help to provide a comprehensive understanding of the invention.

[0007] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an isotope light source used in an isotope battery according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0008] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of an isotope battery according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0009] Figure 3This is a schematic structural diagram of a photoelectric conversion device used in an isotope battery according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0010] Figure 4 This is a schematic structural diagram of the assembly of a positioning element and a photoelectric conversion element according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0011] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A schematic structural diagram of the positioning frame of the positioning component shown.

[0012] Figure 6 and Figure 7 These are schematic structural diagrams of different angles of the positioning and fitting components used in an isotope battery according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a shielding body according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] Figure 9 yes Figure 8 A schematic structural diagram of the shielding container of the shielding body shown;

[0015] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of a structure in which the photoelectric conversion device and the positioning device are placed inside a shielded container;

[0016] Figure 11 yes Figure 8 A schematic structural diagram of the shielding cover of the shielding body shown;

[0017] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a housing according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 13 yes Figure 12 A schematic structural diagram of the sealed container shown;

[0019] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of a structure in which an isotope light source, positioning components, and a shield are placed inside a sealed container.

[0020] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the housing according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 16 yes Figure 15 The diagram shows a schematic structural representation of the sealing cap.

[0022] It should be noted that the accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, but are shown only in a schematic manner without affecting the reader's understanding.

[0023] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0024] 11. Sealed container; 111. Opening; 112. Inlet port; 113. Outlet port; 12. Sealing cover; 121. Cover for wire channel;

[0025] 13. Power output adapter cover; 131. Circuit slot; 132. USB interface;

[0026] 20. Isotope light source; 21. Radioactive isotope thin film; 22. Fluorescent layer; 23. Transparent shell; 231. Shell body; 232. Shell cover plate; 24. Reflective layer;

[0027] 30. Photoelectric conversion device; 31. Positive and negative electrode heads;

[0028] 40. Shielding body; 41. Shielding container; 411. Opening; 412. Shielded conductor trough; 4121. Vertical trough; 4122. Horizontal trough; 4123. Outlet; 42. Shielding cover; 421. Cover plate; 422. Protrusion;

[0029] 50. Positioning component; 51. Positioning frame; 511. Column; 5111. Column guide groove; 512. Rectangular frame; 513. First positioning groove;

[0030] 52. Positioning mating part; 521. End plate; 5211. Notch; 522. Second positioning groove; 523. Baffle; 524. Wire lead-out groove. Detailed Implementation

[0031] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the technical solutions of this invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of this invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are one embodiment of this invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the described embodiments of this invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0032] It should be noted that, unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used in this application shall have the ordinary meaning as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains.

[0033] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0034] Currently, radiation photovoltaic cells typically employ a stacked coupling structure of "radioactive source-light emitter-photovoltaic converter". The inventors of this application have discovered that, in radiation photovoltaic cells, β particles generated by the decay of radioactive isotopes can enter the photovoltaic converter, causing a certain degree of radiation dose. Particularly for radiation photovoltaic cells with the aforementioned structure, because the photovoltaic converter and the radioactive source are arranged parallel, a large number of β particles generated by the decay of radioactive isotopes can enter the semiconductor, causing a significant radiation dose to the photovoltaic converter. Especially when high-energy β particles are generated by the decay of radioactive isotopes, there is a problem of high radiation dose to the photovoltaic device, leading to short lifespan and low reliability of radiation photovoltaic cells.

[0035] To address the aforementioned technical problems, embodiments of this application provide a novel isotope battery.

[0036] The isotope battery of this invention includes: a casing, an isotope light source, and at least one photoelectric conversion device. Both the isotope light source and the photoelectric conversion device are disposed within the casing. The isotope light source is used to radiate photons outwards. The isotope light source includes a radioactive isotope thin film, wherein photons are emitted outwards from the circumferential side of the isotope light source, and the circumferential side of the isotope light source is substantially perpendicular to the radioactive isotope thin film. Here, "substantially perpendicular" can be understood as the angle between the circumferential side of the isotope light source and the radioactive isotope thin film being between 70° and 110°.

[0037] Each photoelectric conversion device faces the circumferential side of the isotope light source and is used to receive photons and convert them into electrical energy.

[0038] In the embodiments of this application, since photons are emitted from the circumferential side of the isotope light source, which is substantially perpendicular to the radioactive isotope film, and each photoelectric conversion device faces the circumferential side of the isotope light source, on the one hand, the photoelectric conversion device can receive a large number of photons; on the other hand, since the photoelectric conversion device faces the circumferential side of the radioactive isotope film, which is equivalent to being perpendicular to the radioactive isotope film, this structurally reduces the contact area between the radiation particles and the photoelectric conversion device, thereby significantly reducing the total dose rate of β particles and γ radiation received by the photoelectric conversion device, thus improving the reliability and lifespan of the photoelectric conversion device.

[0039] The surface of the photoelectric conversion device can be parallel to the circumferential side of the isotope light source.

[0040] See Figure 1 The isotope light source 20 in this embodiment includes a radioactive isotope film 21 and a fluorescent layer 22. The radioactive isotope film 21 radiates β particles to the outside, and the fluorescent layer 22 forms photons after colliding with the β particles. The photon emission direction is perpendicular to the radioactive isotope film 21.

[0041] Specifically, the isotope light source 20 of this embodiment includes: a light-transmitting housing 23 and a light-emitting element disposed within the light-transmitting housing 23. The light-emitting element includes: at least one layer of radioactive isotope thin film 21 and multiple layers of fluorescent layers 22. The radioactive isotope thin film 21 includes a thin film matrix material and a radioactive isotope formed in the thin film matrix material, and the radioactive isotope is capable of radiating β particles to the outside. A fluorescent layer 22 is respectively disposed on opposite sides of each radioactive isotope thin film 21; in other words, two adjacent layers of radioactive isotope thin film 21 are separated by a fluorescent layer 22.

[0042] The fluorescent layer 22 includes a matrix material and fluorescent elements formed in the matrix material, wherein the fluorescent elements are capable of generating photons after colliding with β particles.

[0043] In this embodiment, both sides of the radioactive isotope film 21 are fluorescent layers 22, and the fluorescent layers 22 contain fluorescent elements. This allows a large number of β particles radiated by the radioactive isotope film 21 to enter the fluorescent layers 22 on both sides and collide with the fluorescent elements, thereby forming a large number of photons. This increases the isotope loading activity per unit volume, which in turn helps to improve the brightness of the isotope light source 20.

[0044] Therefore, the embodiments of this application provide an isotope light source 20 that is completely different from the traditional tritium light source structure. It can significantly improve the brightness and / or light output power of the isotope light source 20, and at the same time, it can work stably for a long time, thus expanding the application field of the isotope light source 20.

[0045] As is easily understood, the fluorescent layer 22 includes two end faces parallel to the radioactive isotope film 21 and a circumferential side face connecting the two end faces. The two surfaces of each radioactive isotope film 21 are respectively in contact with the opposing end faces of the two fluorescent layers 22. Each pair of fluorescent layers 22 and the intermediate radioactive isotope film 21 constitute a "sandwich" type light-emitting unit. The required light-emitting element can be formed by longitudinally stacking these units. The light-emitting element is sealed within a highly transparent housing 23 to form an isotope light source 20.

[0046] In this embodiment, the refractive index of the thin film matrix material is less than that of the substrate material. In some embodiments, the ratio of the refractive index of the thin film matrix material to that of the substrate material is less than a preset value, so that most photons can be radiated outward through the circumferential side surface of the fluorescent layer 22. In such an embodiment, the circumferential side surface of the fluorescent layer 22 is the light-emitting surface. This embodiment can select suitable substrate and thin film matrix materials to create a large refractive index difference between them to form an optical waveguide effect, resulting in most photons (more than 50% of photons) being able to radiate outward through the circumferential side surface of the fluorescent layer 22, producing a focusing effect, thereby further improving the brightness of the isotope light source 20.

[0047] It is easy to understand that the key to the optical waveguide effect is that the refractive index of the intermediate medium (i.e., the fluorescent layer 22) must be higher than that of the two side media (the radioactive isotope film 21) to achieve a critical angle for total internal reflection. The smaller the critical angle for total internal reflection, the more favorable it is for photons to radiate outward through the circumferential sides of the fluorescent layer 22. Suitable substrate materials for the fluorescent layer 22 and thin film matrix materials for the radioactive isotope film 21 can be selected based on their refractive indices. In some embodiments, the preset value can be, for example, 0.8, meaning the ratio of the refractive index of the thin film matrix material to the refractive index of the substrate material is less than 0.8.

[0048] The refractive index of a typical solid material changes positively with density. In some embodiments, the film matrix material and substrate material can be selected based on density to create a large density difference between them.

[0049] In some embodiments, the film matrix material can be polyethylene glycol, and the substrate material can be yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG). The density of YAG is 4.5 g / cm³. 3 The density of polyethylene glycol is 1.1 g / cm³. 3 The large density difference between YAG and polyethylene glycol causes a waveguide effect that results in most photons escaping from the side, thus increasing brightness.

[0050] In some embodiments, the matrix material may also be other fluorescent materials with high light transmittance.

[0051] The radioactive isotope can be at least one of strontium-90, nickel-63, and yttrium-90. In some embodiments, the radioactive isotope is strontium-90, which, compared to other radioactive isotopes, can release high-energy β particles, has high source efficiency, and high volumetric activity, thereby improving the brightness of the isotope light source 20.

[0052] A radioactive isotope source can be mixed with an aqueous solution of polyethylene glycol to form a precursor. For example, polyethylene glycol powder can be dissolved in water to prepare an aqueous solution with a concentration of less than 1 g / L, and then the radioactive isotope source can be dissolved in this aqueous solution to form the precursor. The radioactive isotope source can be, for example, strontium nitrate, strontium carbonate, strontium fluoride, or a mixture thereof. The concentration of the radioactive isotope in the precursor is generally 10–1000 mg / mL.

[0053] The radioactive isotope film 21 can be obtained by coating a precursor onto the surface of a fluorescent layer 22 (such as YAG) and then drying it. The thickness of the radioactive isotope film 21 can be 10–400 μm. Within this range, the isotope loading activity per unit volume is relatively high.

[0054] Fluorescent elements can be Eu 3+ Dy 3+ and Ce3+ At least one of them. When the fluorescent element is Ce 3+ In this case, the fluorescent layer 22 is a cerium-doped transparent ceramic (YAG:Ce) plate with a quantum efficiency ≥15% and a transmittance ≥75%, resulting in better overall performance and economy of the isotope light source 20. The thickness of the fluorescent layer 22 can be 0.5–4 mm. The cross-sectional dimensions of the fluorescent layer 22 can be 1–9 cm, depending on the requirements. 2 choose.

[0055] In some embodiments, to improve light transmittance, an antireflection film can be coated on the circumferential side surface (i.e., the light-emitting surface) of the fluorescent layer 22. CVD evaporation can be used to coat the antireflection film to improve the adhesion between the antireflection film and the circumferential side surface of the fluorescent layer 22, thereby improving the antireflection effect of the antireflection film.

[0056] In some embodiments, the isotope light source 20 further includes a reflective layer 24 formed on the outermost end face of the outermost fluorescent layer 22 of the light-emitting element. This outer end face is the side of the outermost fluorescent layer 22 facing away from the radioactive isotope film 21. The reflective layer 24 is used to reflect the front light emitted in the thickness direction of the light-emitting element, thereby reducing light emission from the thickness direction of the light-emitting element and increasing the lateral light emission from the light-emitting element. In some embodiments, the reflective layer 24 may be a block-shaped component made of 6061 aluminum alloy, whose main function is to reflect the front light emitted from the top and bottom surfaces. It is required that the surface roughness be ≤1.6 and the thickness be generally 0.2 to 3 mm.

[0057] In some embodiments, the light-transmitting housing 23 may include a housing body 231 and a housing cover 232. The housing body 231 defines a receiving cavity and an opening communicating with the receiving cavity. A stepped countersunk hole is formed at the opening of the housing body 231. The housing cover 232 has a shoulder for engaging with the stepped countersunk hole of the housing body to seal the opening of the housing body 231. By providing the stepped countersunk hole and the shoulder, radioactive radiation from the edge of the housing cover 232 to the outside can be reduced. The housing wall thickness must meet the safety classification requirements for sealing a radioactive source, and is generally selected as 3 to 6 mm. The housing cover 232 may be perpendicular to the thickness direction of the light-emitting element, so that the light emitted by the light-emitting element is emitted outward through the circumferential sidewall of the housing body 231. Since the housing body 231 is a one-piece molded part, there are no parts on the circumferential sidewall of the housing body 231 that affect the light emission, which is beneficial to the uniform light emission of the isotope light source 20.

[0058] The light-transmitting shell 23 has a cubic or cuboid structure. In this embodiment, to ensure light transmittance, the shell body 231 and the shell cover 232 are integrally formed parts made of quartz through cold working followed by fire polishing. Cold working can be room-temperature machining, used to process the quartz into the shell body 231 and the shell cover 232 respectively. Cold working specifically includes: milling (similar to roughing) and subsequent grinding (similar to finishing). After grinding, the surfaces of the quartz shell body 231 and the quartz shell cover 232 are frosted. To provide transparency, fire polishing is performed. Fire polishing can be performed using an acetylene torch at a temperature in the range of 1600–1700°C. Fire polishing ensures that the light transmittance of the light-transmitting shell 23 is ≥90%, further improving the light extraction efficiency of the light source.

[0059] The sealing of the shell body 231 and the shell cover 232 can be achieved by welding (glass brazing, laser welding) or by bonding. This embodiment uses quartz as the light-transmitting shell 23, which offers better safety and radiation resistance than existing technologies using borosilicate glass.

[0060] The isotope light source 20 may further include two metal covers, which are respectively positioned opposite to each other on the outer side of the shell cover 232 and the outer side of the shell body 231. The two metal covers can be bonded to the light-transmitting shell 23 over a large area, thereby providing secondary protection for the opening of the light-transmitting shell 23 and preventing leakage of radioactive materials. It is easy to understand that since the isotope light source 20 contains radioactive materials, the light-transmitting shell 23 must be sealed. By providing metal covers, even if the seal at the opening of the light-transmitting shell 23 fails, the overall seal of the radioactive material container can still be maintained.

[0061] The metal cover can be made of 6061 aluminum alloy and is snapped onto the light-transmitting housing 23.

[0062] See Figure 2 The working principle of the novel isotope battery based on the optical waveguide effect in this application embodiment is as follows: β particles released by the radioactive isotope source in the radioactive isotope thin film 21 in the 4π direction enter the interior of the fluorescent layer 22. Through collision with the fluorescent element, the extranuclear electrons are excited to undergo energy level transitions. When the electrons de-excite, photons are released. The released photons are randomly emitted in the 4π direction. Due to the large refractive index difference between the substrate material and the thin film matrix material, an optical waveguide effect is formed, causing most photons to exit from the circumferential side of the fluorescent layer 22, resulting in a focusing effect, thereby improving brightness and thus improving photovoltaic efficiency in low-light environments. The photons emitted from the side are collected by the photoelectric conversion device 30 and converted into electron-hole pairs. Under the action of the built-in electric field of the photoelectric conversion device 30, they are separated and finally form a loop with the load to output current.

[0063] See Figure 3 The photoelectric conversion device 30 has a plate-like structure. Positive and negative electrode heads 31 are formed at the two lateral ends of the photoelectric conversion device 30 adjacent to the two columns 511, respectively, for connecting positive and negative wires.

[0064] The photoelectric conversion device 30 can be, for example, a photovoltaic panel. In some embodiments, the photovoltaic panel can be an InP-based semiconductor designed for YAG fluorescence wavelengths (450–650 nm), which can be realized under weak light (<10 nW / cm²). 2 High-efficiency photovoltaic conversion in an environment where...

[0065] In some embodiments, the isotope cell further includes a positioning member 50 disposed within the housing for positioning each photoelectric conversion device 30 on the circumferential side of the isotope light source 20. By providing the positioning member 50, the photoelectric conversion device 30 can be prevented from being directly attached to the circumferential side of the isotope light source 20, thereby reducing the radiation dose of the photoelectric conversion device 30.

[0066] See Figures 4 to 7 In some embodiments, the isotope light source 20 has four circumferential sides. The number of photoelectric conversion devices 30 is four. The positioning element 50 includes a positioning frame 51 and four positioning mating parts 52. The positioning frame 51 includes four positioning sides, each facing one of the four sides of the isotope light source 20. Each positioning mating part 52 is used to mount one photoelectric conversion device 30 at each positioning side.

[0067] In this embodiment, the positioning fitting 52 is used to fix and protect the photoelectric conversion device 30. The material of the positioning fitting 52 can be polytetrafluoroethylene or an insulating material that is radiation-resistant, easy to process, and has good elastic-plastic properties. The positioning frame 51 is used to position and integrate the photoelectric conversion device 30, and the material can be 6061 aluminum alloy.

[0068] See Figure 5 The positioning frame 51 includes four pillars 511 and four rectangular frames 512 connecting adjacent pillars 511. The outer surface of the rectangular frames 512 is lower than the outer surface of the pillars 511 to form a first positioning groove 513 between adjacent pillars 511. An isotope light source 20 can be embedded in the positioning frame 51. For example, the isotope light source 20 can be clearance-fitted with the positioning frame 51. The inner edge dimension of the rectangular frames 512 can be smaller than the size of the photoelectric conversion device 30, thereby preventing the photoelectric conversion device 30 from detaching from the rectangular frames 512.

[0069] The positioning fitting 52 is shaped to fit the first positioning groove 513, and each positioning fitting 52 is embedded in the first positioning groove 513 between two adjacent columns 511. See also Figure 6 and Figure 7 The positioning mating part 52 forms a second positioning groove 522 on the surface facing the first positioning groove 513, and the photoelectric conversion device 30 is embedded in the second positioning groove 522. In this embodiment, by embedding the photoelectric conversion device 30 in the second positioning groove 522 of the positioning mating part 52 and embedding the positioning mating part 52 in the first positioning groove 513 of the positioning frame 51, on the one hand, the photoelectric conversion device 30 can be separated from the isotope light source 20 by the rectangular frame 512, avoiding the photoelectric conversion device 30 being directly attached to the circumferential side of the isotope light source 20, thereby reducing the radiation dose of the photoelectric conversion device 30; on the other hand, positioning the photoelectric conversion device 30 in the above manner can avoid causing large stress to the photoelectric conversion device 30 itself, thereby affecting the service life of the photoelectric conversion device 30.

[0070] The two lateral ends of the positioning fitting 52 adjacent to the column 511 respectively form wire lead-out grooves 524 that pass through the upper end. The portion of the wire lead-out groove 524 facing at least the positive and negative electrode heads 31 is connected to the second positioning groove 522 to allow the positive and negative wires connected to the positive and negative electrode heads 31 to be led out upward through the wire lead-out groove 524.

[0071] The outer surface of the column 511 is recessed inward to form a transversely extending column wire groove 5111. The positioning fitting 52 forms a notch 5211 corresponding to the periphery of the column wire groove 5111 to allow the column wire groove 5111 to communicate with the wire lead-out groove 524. Thus, the four photoelectric conversion devices 30 can be connected in series and parallel via wires, and the wires can enter the wire lead-out groove 524 through the column wire groove 5111 and be led out upward.

[0072] In some embodiments, the positioning mating member 52 has a frame structure, and the positioning mating member 52 includes two upper and lower end plates 521 and two left and right end plates 521.

[0073] The positioning fitting 52 also includes two baffles 523, which extend from the upper and lower end plates 521 on the side opposite to the positioning frame 51, respectively. The four end plates 521 and the two baffles 523 together define a second positioning groove 522. There are gaps between the baffles 523 and the left and right end plates 521, and there are also gaps between the two baffles 523. These gaps together form a wire lead-out groove 524. Notches 5211 are formed on the side of the left and right end plates 521 opposite to the positioning frame 51, so that the post wire groove 5111 communicates with the wire lead-out groove 524. In this embodiment, because there are gaps between the baffles 523 and the left and right end plates 521, and there are also gaps between the two baffles 523, the positioning fitting 52 can have a large deformation, so that it can be more securely embedded in the first positioning groove 513 through deformation.

[0074] In some embodiments, the isotope battery further includes a shield 40 disposed within a housing, wherein the isotope light source 20, the photoelectric conversion device 30, and the positioning device 50 are all disposed within the shield 40. The shield 40 is mainly used to protect against X-rays generated by the high-energy bremsstrahlung radiation of strontium-90 nuclide decay. The material of the shield 40 can be high-density materials such as lead, tungsten alloy, or depleted uranium, and the shielding thickness should meet the requirement that the radiation dose rate on the surface of the shield 40 is ≤2 mSv / h.

[0075] See Figures 8 to 11 The shielding body 40 includes: a shielding container 41 having a top opening 411 and a shielding cover 42 for closing the top opening 411. See also Figure 9 A shielded wire groove 412 is formed on the shielded container 41. The shielded wire groove 412 extends upward from the inner surface of the shielded container 41 to the upper end surface of the shielded container 41, and extends along the upper end surface to penetrate the outer surface of the shielded container 41.

[0076] The portion of the lead wire outlet groove 524 and the portion of the shielded lead wire groove 412 located on the inner surface of the shielding container 41 face each other, so that the positive and negative leads drawn upward through the lead wire outlet groove 524 can extend to the outside of the shielding body 40 through the shielded lead wire groove 412.

[0077] See Figure 9 The shielded wire channel 412 includes a vertical channel 4121 extending upward from the inner surface of the shielded container 41 to the upper end face of the shielded container 41, and a horizontal channel 4122 extending along the upper end face to penetrate the outer surface of the shielded container 41. One end of the horizontal channel 4122 is connected to the upper end of the vertical channel 4121, and the other end extends to penetrate the circumferential surface of the shield 40. Thus, when the shielding cover 42 closes the top opening 411 of the shielded container 41, the horizontal channel 4122 forms an outlet 4123 on the circumferential surface of the shield 40, thereby allowing the positive and negative wires to extend to the outside of the shield 40 via the outlet 4123 of the shielded wire channel 412.

[0078] See Figure 11 The shielding cover 42 includes a cover plate 421 and a protrusion 422 extending downward from the lower surface of the cover plate 421. When the shielding cover 42 closes the top opening 411 of the shielding container 41, the circumferential side of the cover plate 421 is flush with the circumferential side of the shielding container 41, and the protrusion 422 is embedded in the top opening 411 of the shielding container 41.

[0079] See Figures 12 to 14The housing includes a sealed container 11 with a top opening 111 and a sealing cap 12 for closing the top opening 111. The housing in this embodiment is primarily used to withstand external mechanical loads and isolate the internal and external environments to prevent leakage of radioactive materials. The materials for the sealed container 11 and the sealing cap 12 can be polytetrafluoroethylene, 6061 aluminum alloy, or stainless steel, etc., and the wall thickness should be able to withstand an external pressure of not less than 2 MPa.

[0080] The sealed container 11 has a container wire groove formed inside its peripheral wall. The lower end of the container wire groove penetrates the inner surface of the peripheral wall to form an inlet port 112, which faces the shielded wire groove 412. The upper end of the container wire groove penetrates the upper surface of the sealed container 11 to form an outlet port 113. The sealing cover 12 has a cover wire groove 121 that faces the outlet port 113 and penetrates the sealing cover 12.

[0081] See Figure 15 and Figure 16 The housing also includes an electrical output adapter cover 13 for outputting electrical energy. The electrical output adapter cover 13 is made of polytetrafluoroethylene or an insulating material that is radiation-resistant, easy to process, and has good elastic and plastic properties. The lower surface of the electrical output adapter cover 13 forms a circuit groove 131 for arranging a circuit board, and the circumferential side of the electrical output adapter cover 13 forms a USB interface 132.

[0082] During installation, the photoelectric conversion device 30 and the positioning component 50 are first assembled as a single unit. Then, the photoelectric conversion device 30 and the positioning component 50 are placed inside the shielding container 41, and the shielding container 41 is placed inside the sealed container 11. Next, the isotope light source 20 is placed inside the positioning component 50, and then the shielding cover 42, the sealing cover 12, and the electrical output adapter cover 13 are sequentially placed on top. The four photoelectric conversion devices 30 are connected in series and parallel using multi-core 1mm diameter flexible wires. The positive and negative output electrode leads of the photovoltaic conversion module are led upwards from the wire lead-out groove 524 and connected to the circuit board and USB terminal via the shielded wire groove 412, the container wire groove in the outer casing, and the cover wire groove 121. The wire groove design of this embodiment allows the wires to be routed without occupying physical space, which is beneficial for miniaturizing the isotope battery.

[0083] The embodiments of this application can achieve microwatt to watt-level electrical energy output through an isotope light source 20 and a photoelectric conversion device 30. Tests show that, according to the technical solution proposed in this invention, when the isotope source activity is total β26mCi, the battery output power is 0.3μW.

[0084] The isotope battery of this application embodiment has high efficiency, high reliability, and long lifespan, which broadens the application scope of radiation photovoltaic isotope batteries and reduces costs. Furthermore, the isotope battery design structure proposed in this invention can also provide new design ideas and basis for the subsequent development of spectrophotovoltaic batteries.

[0085] Regarding the embodiments of the present invention, it should also be noted that, without conflict, the embodiments of the present invention and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other to obtain new embodiments.

[0086] The above are merely specific embodiments of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. The scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An isotope battery, comprising: case; An isotope light source, disposed within the housing, is used to radiate photons outward. The isotope light source includes a radioactive isotope thin film, wherein the photons are emitted outward from a circumferential side surface of the isotope light source, the circumferential side surface being substantially perpendicular to the radioactive isotope thin film; and At least one photoelectric conversion device is disposed within the housing, the at least one photoelectric conversion device facing the circumferential side of the isotope light source, for receiving photons and converting them into electrical energy; The isotope battery further includes: A positioning element, disposed within the housing, is used to position the at least one photoelectric conversion device on the circumferential side of the isotope light source; The isotope light source further includes: The radioactive isotope film has a fluorescent layer on each of its opposite sides, and the refractive index of the fluorescent layer is higher than that of the radioactive isotope film. The reflective layer is formed on the outermost end face of the fluorescent layer.

2. The battery according to claim 1, wherein, The isotope light source has four circumferential sides, the number of photoelectric conversion devices is four, and the positioning device includes: A positioning frame, comprising four positioning sides, each of which faces one of the four sides of the isotope light source; and Four positioning fittings are used to install the four photoelectric conversion devices respectively at each of the positioning sides.

3. The battery according to claim 2, wherein, The positioning frame includes four columns and four rectangular frames that connect adjacent two columns respectively. The outer surface of the rectangular frames is lower than the outer surface of the columns to form a first positioning groove between adjacent two columns. The positioning fitting is adapted to the shape of the first positioning groove. Each positioning fitting is embedded in the first positioning groove between two adjacent columns. The surface of the positioning fitting facing the first positioning groove forms a second positioning groove. The photoelectric conversion device is embedded in the second positioning groove.

4. The battery according to claim 3, wherein, The photoelectric conversion device forms positive and negative electrode heads at its two lateral ends adjacent to the two columns, respectively, for connecting positive and negative wires. The positioning fitting has two transverse ends adjacent to the column forming wire lead-out grooves that extend through the upper end. The portion of the wire lead-out groove facing the positive and negative electrode heads is connected to the second positioning groove to allow the positive and negative wires connected to the positive and negative electrode heads to be led out upwards through the wire lead-out grooves.

5. The battery according to claim 4, wherein, The outer surface of the column is recessed inward to form a column wire groove that extends laterally. The positioning fitting has a notch corresponding to the periphery of the column wire groove to allow the column wire groove to communicate with the wire lead-out groove.

6. The battery according to claim 4, further comprising: A shielding body is disposed within the housing, and the isotope light source and the at least one photoelectric conversion device are both disposed within the shielding body.

7. The battery according to claim 6, wherein, The shielding body includes: a shielding container with a top opening and a shielding cover for closing the top opening. The shielding container has a shielded wire groove formed on it. The shielded wire groove extends upward from the inner surface of the shielding container to the upper end face of the shielding container, and extends along the upper end face to penetrate the outer surface of the shielding container. The portion of the lead wire slot and the portion of the shielded lead wire slot located on the inner surface of the shielding container face each other, so that the positive and negative leads drawn upward through the lead wire slot can extend to the outside of the shielding body through the shielded lead wire slot.

8. The battery according to claim 7, wherein, The housing includes a sealed container with a top opening and a sealing cap for closing the top opening. The sealed container has a container wire groove formed inside its peripheral wall. The lower end of the container wire groove penetrates the inner surface of the peripheral wall to form an inlet port, which faces the shielded wire groove. The upper end of the container wire groove penetrates the upper surface of the sealed container to form an outlet port. The sealing cover has a cover wire groove facing the outlet port, and the cover wire groove penetrates the sealing cover.

9. The battery according to claim 8, wherein, The housing also includes an electrical output adapter cover for outputting electrical energy to the outside.

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