A composite isotope battery integrating photoelectric and thermoelectric conversion

Abstract

The present invention discloses a composite isotope battery integrating photoelectric and thermoelectric conversion, including a β-radioactive gaseous light source, a photovoltaic conversion module and a thermoelectric conversion module; the β-radioactive gaseous light source uses the β particles released by the decay of the gaseous β-radioactive source to excite and form a gaseous excited radical association complex, and then de-excites to form a light source, and the energy of the unused decay particles and photons is converted into thermal energy to form a heat source; the photovoltaic conversion module is inside the β-radioactive gaseous light source to realize the photoelectric conversion of the β-radioactive gaseous light source; the thermoelectric conversion module is connected to the β-radioactive gaseous light source to receive the thermal energy released by it and realize the thermoelectric conversion of the β-radioactive gaseous light source. The present invention uses the decay energy that is not converted by the photovoltaic conversion module as the heat source of the thermoelectric conversion module, efficiently recycles and utilizes the thermal energy of the β-radioactive gaseous light source, and the energy conversion efficiency is increased by more than 5 times compared with the traditional radioisotope thermoelectric generator, meeting the power supply requirements of unattended equipment and instruments for deep space, deep sea, etc.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of isotope batteries, and in particular to a composite isotope battery integrating photoelectric and thermoelectric conversion. Background Art

[0002] With the rapid development of modern aerospace and deep-sea exploration technology, the power supply system is required to have the characteristics of no need for replacement, high specific power density, long service life and strong environmental adaptability, so as to meet the power supply needs of application scenarios such as unmanned equipment and instruments in deep space and deep sea.

[0003] Radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG) is an ideal power supply system for deep space and deep sea missions. RTG uses the Seebeck effect to convert the decay energy of radioactive sources into electrical energy. It has no dynamic parts and is the most mature and stable isotope battery. The United States, Russia and other countries have successfully used equipment equipped with RTG batteries to complete space or deep sea missions.

[0004] Although RTG has been widely used in important tasks such as deep space exploration and deep sea sensing, there are important challenges in terms of radiation source supply, scope of use, and energy conversion efficiency. The most widely used heat source for deep space exploration RTG is 238 Pu has a half-life of 87.7 years and a specific power of about 0.56W / g. It is pure alpha decay and does not require a heavy shielding structure. 238 Pu stocks are only enough for a few deep space exploration missions, however 238 Due to its complicated production process, Pu's annual output is only about 50g, which is still a large gap from the US Department of Energy's annual demand of 1.5kg. In addition, the price is very expensive, reaching US$8 million / kg, which is too costly. 238 Pu shortage will seriously limit the development of deep space exploration missions. RTG for land and sea is generally used 90 Sr acts as a heat source. 90 Sr half-life is 28.1 years. 90 Sr and its decay daughters 90 Y decays in pure β, and the average energy of the β particles produced is high. The high-energy β particles interact with matter and produce X particles through bremsstrahlung radiation. Thicker shielding is required to meet the requirements of radiation protection. 90 Sr- 90 The mass and volume of RTG as a heat source are very high, and the specific power density is low, which greatly limits the scope of use of RTG.

[0005] To address the shortage of traditional RTG radiation sources and the current low specific power density, a variety of alternative heat source technologies have been explored. 241 Am radioactive source replacement 238 However, 241 Am has a half-life of about 400 years and a relatively low specific power. 241 Am reserves are limited, and the United States has separated 241 The amount of Am is less than 50kg, which is only enough to arrange a limited number of space missions and cannot fundamentally solve the problem of RTG radiation source in deep space. 238 The current situation of tight supply of Pu. Researchers at the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri, used 85 Kr as an alternative heat source, 85 Kr is a pure beta radiation source with a half-life of about 10.37 years. The maximum energy of the beta particles produced by its decay is about 0.69 MeV. 85 Kr radionuclide as 235 One of the fission products of U, 85 Kr has an annual output of about 150 MCi, which is a relatively sufficient source. As an inert gas element, 85 After Kr is generated, it will overflow from the fuel rods and can be collected in a relatively simple way with high economic efficiency. 85 The beta particles released by Kr have low energy, low biological hazards, and high safety. 3 H is a pure beta radiation source with a half-life of about 12.33 years. The maximum energy of the beta particles produced by its decay is about 18.60 keV. 14 C (with 14 CO2 (in its form) is a pure beta radiation source with a half-life of about 5730 years, and the maximum energy of the beta particles produced by its decay is about 0.16 MeV. 3 H and 14 C radionuclides are byproducts of reactors, with a relatively sufficient source, and can be produced domestically. Considering the economic effect, supply source and radiation safety, 85 Kr, 3 H and 14 C is a good choice for alternative heat sources for RTG, which can solve the current problems of insufficient production capacity, high price and non-domestic production of traditional α sources.

[0006] The current RTG energy conversion efficiency is only 6%-10%, resulting in a lot of heat energy waste and low energy utilization, which further limits the development of RTG. In response to the problem of insufficient RTG conversion efficiency, a variety of new isotope battery technologies have emerged to meet the huge demand for power supply systems in aerospace and deep-sea exploration. In the published isotope battery patent literature, they are mainly based on new thermoelectric conversion materials and new energy conversion mechanisms.

[0007] The California Institute of Technology proposed to improve the conversion efficiency of RTG by developing advanced thermoelectric materials, with a theoretical efficiency of 8%-10%; the United States has also conducted a lot of research on thermophotoelectric isotope power sources, which use the photovoltaic effect to convert infrared radiation released by heat sources into electrical energy, with a theoretical efficiency of more than 15%, but the efficiency is still relatively low; the Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio, USA, has achieved a conversion efficiency of more than 20% by adopting dynamic Stirling conversion technology; the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri, USA, proposed a new type of composite isotope battery coupled with a Stirling engine system, with a theoretical energy conversion efficiency of 45%. However, the use of dynamic components reduces the stability of the power system and limits its scope of application.

[0008] With the rapid development of aerospace and marine equipment, there is an urgent need for a power supply system with stable radiation source supply, high energy conversion efficiency and strong environmental adaptability, that is, a new type of composite isotope battery integrating photoelectric and thermoelectric conversion. Summary of the invention

[0009] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a composite isotope battery integrating photoelectric and thermoelectric conversion.

[0010] The present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0011] A composite isotope battery integrating photoelectric and thermoelectric conversion, comprising a β-radioactive gaseous light source, a photovoltaic conversion module and a temperature difference thermoelectric conversion module;

[0012] The β-radioactive gaseous light source utilizes β particles released by the decay of the gaseous β-radiation source to excite and form an excimer complex, which then de-excites to emit light to form a light source, and most of the energy of the unused decay particles and photons is converted into heat energy in the form of phonons to form a heat source;

[0013] The photovoltaic conversion module is present inside the β-radioactive gaseous light source and is used to receive the light energy released by the β-radioactive gaseous light source and realize the photoelectric conversion of the β-radioactive gaseous light source through the photovoltaic conversion effect;

[0014] The temperature difference thermoelectric conversion module is connected to the β-radioactive gaseous light source to receive the heat energy released by the β-radioactive gaseous light source and realize the thermoelectric conversion of the β-radioactive gaseous light source through the Seebeck effect.

[0015] In the present invention, the “most” in “most of the energy of unused decay particles and photons will be converted into heat energy in the form of phonons” means more than 50%.

[0016] Furthermore, the β-radioactive gaseous light source includes a gaseous β-radiation source, a sealed container and a shielding body from the inside to the outside, wherein the gaseous β-radiation source is placed in a sealed container and is sealed to release energy, and the shielding body is used to shield the radiation brought by the radiation source.

[0017] The photovoltaic conversion module is composed of a plurality of sidewall photovoltaic conversion units, two upper and lower photovoltaic conversion units, a unit connection circuit and an output circuit; wherein the plurality of sidewall photovoltaic conversion units and the two upper and lower photovoltaic conversion units are connected in series and parallel by the unit connection circuit, and the photovoltaic effect is used to receive the light energy released by the β-radioactive gas light source to realize the output of electric energy through the output circuit;

[0018] The temperature difference thermoelectric conversion module is composed of a plurality of thermocouple / thermoelectrode units, a unit connection circuit, an output circuit and a thermal insulation system; wherein the plurality of thermocouple / thermoelectrode units are connected in series and parallel by the unit connection circuit, and the heat energy released by the β-radioactive gas light source received by the Seebeck effect is output through the output circuit to realize electric energy output; the thermal insulation system reduces the heat loss of the heat source;

[0019] As one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the gaseous β radiation source is 3 H2, or 85 Kr, or 14 CO2, or a single substance, compound, or mixed gas containing a β-radioactive element, or Ar, or Kr, or Xe, or F2, or F2, or Cl2, which can form an excimer after being excited by decay β particles. 85 Take Kr / Cl2 mixed gas as an example to illustrate. 85 The Kr decay β particles are excited to form KrCl* excimer complexes, which then de-excite to form Kr and Cl2, and this cycle repeats to form a fluorescence source. The gaseous β radiation source replaces the traditional RTG radiation source as the energy source of the isotope battery, solving the problem of insufficient production capacity and high price of the traditional α source, and effectively ensuring an adequate supply of radiation sources.

[0020] As one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the sealed container is used to seal the gaseous β radiation source to prevent the radiation source from leaking; wherein the sealing material used is a radiation-resistant metal material.

[0021] As one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the shielding body is used to shield the generated radiation; wherein the shielding material used is boron steel, or stainless steel, or lead, or copper, or iron, or concrete, or a mixture of one or more of the above materials;

[0022] As one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the plurality of sidewall photovoltaic conversion units and the upper and lower horizontal photovoltaic conversion units form a cylindrical surface that wraps the gaseous β radiation source, which can fully utilize the fluorescence isotropically released by the β radioactive gaseous light source. The photovoltaic conversion units are connected in series and parallel through the unit connection circuit and there are gaps, thereby improving the reliability of the photovoltaic conversion module; wherein the photovoltaic conversion unit refers to any photovoltaic conversion ultra-wide bandgap semiconductor monomer device that can convert fluorescence into electrical energy; the above-mentioned role of the photovoltaic conversion ultra-wide bandgap semiconductor monomer device is known in the prior art and will not be repeated;

[0023] As one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the plurality of thermocouple / thermoelectrode units are closely arranged in parallel and connected in series and parallel by a unit connection circuit to improve the reliability of the temperature difference thermoelectric conversion module; wherein the thermocouple / thermoelectrode unit refers to any thermocouple unit or thermoelectrode unit that can convert thermal energy into electrical energy; the above-mentioned functions of the thermocouple / thermoelectrode unit are known in the prior art and will not be described in detail;

[0024] As one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the thermal insulation system is used to reduce heat loss from a heat source; wherein the thermal insulation material is a material having a thermal coefficient less than or equal to 0.12, or a mixture of one or more of the above materials;

[0025] As one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the β-radioactive gaseous light source is specifically formed by excitation of decay particles to form an excimer complex, and then de-excited to form a fluorescent source. In the photovoltaic conversion module, the photoelectric conversion of the β-radioactive gaseous light source is specifically achieved through the photovoltaic effect. Most of the energy of unused decay particles and photons will be converted into thermal energy in the form of phonons to serve as the heat source of the temperature difference thermoelectric conversion module, and the thermoelectric conversion of the β-radioactive gaseous light source is achieved through the Seebeck effect, which can be improved by more than 5 times compared with the traditional RTG, thereby achieving efficient utilization of decay energy and improving the output power of the isotope battery.

[0026] The advantages of the present invention compared to the prior art are:

[0027] (1) Compared with traditional isotope batteries, the present invention uses a β radioactive gaseous light source to replace the α radioactive source used in traditional RTG as the energy source of the isotope battery, which solves the problem of insufficient production capacity and high price of traditional α sources, and effectively ensures sufficient supply of radioactive sources;

[0028] (2) The photovoltaic conversion module of the present invention uses a plurality of photovoltaic conversion units to form a cylindrical surface that wraps the gaseous β-radiation source, which can fully utilize the fluorescence isotropically released by the β-radioactive gaseous light source, and uses an ultra-wide bandgap semiconductor photovoltaic conversion unit with energy close to that of the emitted fluorescence, which greatly improves the energy utilization rate and can achieve a photovoltaic conversion efficiency of about 30%;

[0029] (3) The present invention integrates a photovoltaic conversion module and a thermoelectric conversion module, combining the advantages of these two static energy conversion methods, improving the stability of the battery, and utilizing the energy not utilized by the photovoltaic conversion module as the heat source of the thermoelectric conversion module, thereby realizing multiple utilization of the decay energy of the radiation source. The energy conversion efficiency of the present invention can be increased by more than 5 times compared with the traditional RTG, thus realizing the efficient utilization of decay energy and improving the output power of the isotope battery, which can meet the needs of aerospace and marine equipment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Figure 1 This is a general schematic diagram of a novel composite isotope battery integrating photoelectric and thermoelectric conversion in this embodiment;

[0031] Figure 2 is a general schematic diagram of the beta-radioactive gaseous light source of this embodiment;

[0032] Figure 3 is an overall schematic diagram of the photovoltaic conversion module of this embodiment;

[0033] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the overall single thermocouple / thermoelectrode of this embodiment.

[0034] In the figure, 1 is a β radioactive gas light source, 2 is a photovoltaic conversion module, 3 is a temperature difference thermoelectric conversion module, 4 is a gaseous β radiation source, 5 is a sealed container, 6 is a shielding body, 7 is an insulation system, 8 is a side wall photovoltaic conversion unit, 9 is an upper and lower photovoltaic conversion unit, 10 is a unit connection circuit, 11 is an output circuit, 12 is a thermocouple / thermoelectrode unit, 13 is a P arm, 14 is a N arm, 15 is a protective sleeve, 16 is a cold cap, and 17 is a hot junction electrode. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The present invention will be further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. Obviously, the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention, rather than to limit the present invention. It should also be noted that, for ease of description, only the parts related to the present invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, rather than all of the contents. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0036] Example 1

[0037] like Figure 1-4As shown, a novel composite isotope battery integrating photoelectric and thermoelectric conversion in this embodiment includes: a β-radioactive gas light source 1, a photovoltaic conversion module 2 and a temperature-difference thermoelectric conversion module 3; wherein the β-radioactive gas light source 1 utilizes particles released by the decay of radioactive substances to excite photons, and is used to act as a light source, and most of the energy of the unused decay particles and photons is converted into thermal energy in the form of phonons, and is used to act as a heat source; the photovoltaic conversion module 2 exists inside the β-radioactive gas light source 1, and is used to receive the light energy released by the β-radioactive gas light source, and realize the photoelectric conversion of the β-radioactive gas light source through the photovoltaic conversion effect; the temperature-difference thermoelectric conversion module 3 is connected to the β-radioactive gas light source 1, and is used to receive the thermal energy released by it, and realize the thermoelectric conversion of the β-radioactive gas light source through the Seebeck effect.

[0038] Specifically, in this embodiment, please refer to Figure 1 The β-radioactive gaseous light source 1 includes, from the inside to the outside, a gaseous β-radiation source 4, a sealed container 5, a shielding body 6 and an insulation system 7; the gaseous β-radiation source 4 is the energy source of the isotope battery; the sealed container 5 is used to seal the gaseous β-radiation source 4; the shielding body 6 is used to shield the radiation generated by the gaseous β-radiation source 4; the insulation system 7 is used to reduce the heat loss of the β-radioactive gaseous light source 1.

[0039] Specifically, in this embodiment, please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The photovoltaic conversion module 2 is composed of a plurality of side-wall photovoltaic conversion units 8, two upper and lower photovoltaic conversion units 9, a unit connection circuit 10 and an output circuit 11; the plurality of side-wall photovoltaic conversion units 8 and the upper and lower horizontal photovoltaic conversion units 9 are used to receive the light energy released by the β-radioactive gaseous light source 1; the unit connection circuit 10 is used to connect the side-wall photovoltaic conversion unit 8 and the upper and lower horizontal photovoltaic conversion units 9; the output circuit 11 is used for the photovoltaic conversion module 2 to output electrical energy.

[0040] Specifically, in this embodiment, please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 3 The temperature difference thermoelectric conversion module 3 is composed of a plurality of thermocouple / thermoelectrode units 12, a unit connection circuit 10 and an output circuit 11; the thermocouple / thermoelectrode unit 12 is used to receive the heat energy released by the β-radioactive gas light source 1; the unit connection circuit 10 is used to connect a plurality of the thermocouple / thermoelectrode units 12; the output circuit 11 is used for the electrical energy output of the temperature difference thermoelectric conversion module 3.

[0041] Specifically, in this embodiment, please refer to Figure 1 , the β-radioactive gas light source adopts 85 Kr / Cl2 mixed gas and other β-radiation sources replace traditional238 As the energy source of isotope batteries, alpha sources such as Pu have solved the problem of insufficient production capacity and high price of traditional alpha sources, and effectively ensured sufficient supply of radioactive sources.

[0042] Specifically, in this embodiment, please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , several photovoltaic conversion units form a cylindrical surface that wraps the gaseous β-radiation source, which can make full use of the isotropic fluorescence released by the β-radioactive gaseous light source, greatly improving the photovoltaic conversion efficiency.

[0043] Specifically, in this embodiment, please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 4 , the thermocouple / thermoelectrode unit 12 is composed of a P arm 13, an N arm 14, a protective sleeve 15, a cold cap 16 and a hot junction electrode 17. The temperature difference thermoelectric conversion module 3 is a flat plate type, and the thermocouple / thermoelectrode unit is coupled in series circuit, and the P arm 13 and the N arm 14 are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the cold cap 16 and the hot junction electrode 17. The P arm 13 and the N arm 14 are surrounded by the protective sleeve 15, which can fully utilize the thermal energy and reduce heat loss, greatly improving the thermoelectric conversion efficiency.

[0044] The advantages of the device in this embodiment are: replacing the traditional heat source 238 Pu's β-radioactive gaseous light source combines two static energy conversion technologies, photovoltaic energy conversion technology that utilizes light energy and temperature-difference thermoelectric energy conversion technology that utilizes thermal energy. It uses the energy not used by the photovoltaic conversion module as the heat source of the temperature-difference thermoelectric conversion module, realizes multiple utilization of the radiation source decay energy, greatly improves the energy conversion efficiency, and increases the output power of the isotope battery.

[0045] Example 2

[0046] This example is used to illustrate the final energy conversion efficiency of the novel composite isotope battery integrating photoelectric and thermoelectric conversion in the above-mentioned Example 1.

[0047] The gaseous β radiation source 4 is 3 H2 / Xe mixed gas, size (r=8.0cm,h=15.0cm), 3 The H activity is 1MCi, the pressure is 33MPa, and the 3 The β-particles from the spontaneous decay of H2 generate an excimer Xe2 * , which will release fluorescent photons with energy of about 7.2eV; the sealed container 5 is made of stainless steel with a thickness of 1.0cm; the shielding body 6 is made of aluminum with a thickness of 0.1cm; the insulation system 7 is made of a fiber insulation material with an inner layer of 1.0cm thickness and a metal foil with an outer layer of 0.4cm thickness.

[0048] The specific number of the sidewall photovoltaic conversion units 8 is 30. The photovoltaic conversion unit is an aluminum nitride ultra-wide bandgap semiconductor photovoltaic conversion unit. The aluminum nitride wide bandgap width is 6.2eV, which is lower than and close to 7.2eV, so that the utilization efficiency of fluorescent photons is high. The specific size of the sidewall photovoltaic conversion unit 8 is 15.0×1.5×0.05cm 3 The specific dimensions of the two horizontal photovoltaic conversion units 9 are (r=13.0 cm, h=0.05 cm); the unit connection circuit 10 and the output circuit 11 both use copper wires.

[0049] The specific number of the several thermocouple / thermoelectrode units 12 is 50, and the thermocouple / thermoelectrode unit is a thermocouple unit, wherein the materials of the P arm 13 and the N arm 14 are both Bi2Te3-based materials, and the size is 3.0×1.5×1.5 cm 3 The material of the protective sleeve 15 is Al2O3-Cr ceramic material, the length is 2.8 cm, the inner diameter is 2.1 cm, the material of the cold cap 16 is metal copper, and the material of the hot junction electrode 17 is 347 stainless steel.

[0050] In the specific implementation, the performance verification results show that in Example 1, the volume of the thermoelectric conversion system is only 5300cm 3 , the total mass is 10kg, the photovoltaic conversion efficiency η 光 ≈25%, the thermoelectric conversion efficiency η can be achieved at a heat source temperature of 350K 热 ≈3%, overall energy conversion efficiency η 总 ≈28%, achieving 30W power output and 3W / kg specific power output. Compared with the efficiency of about 6% of the traditional RTG battery, the new composite isotope battery integrating photoelectric and thermoelectric conversion in Example 1 effectively improves the overall energy conversion efficiency and realizes the efficient utilization of decay energy. In addition, 3 The half-life of H is 12.33 years. Taking half of the half-life as the expected lifespan, this new composite isotope battery integrating photoelectric and thermoelectric conversion can achieve nearly 6 years of stable operation, which can meet the needs of most space missions.

[0051] Example 3

[0052] The present embodiment is a novel composite isotope battery integrating photoelectric and thermoelectric conversion, using the device of embodiment 1; the method comprises the following steps:

[0053] The gaseous β radiation source 4 is 85 Kr / Br2 mixed gas, size (r = 12cm, h = 15cm), the mixed gas contains 99% 85 Kr and 1% Br2, 85 The Kr activity is 500 kCi and the pressure is 28 MPa.85 The β-particles from the spontaneous decay of Kr generate an excimer complex KrBr * , its deexcitation will regenerate krypton and bromine gases, and release fluorescent photons with energy of about 6.0eV; the sealed container 5 is made of stainless steel with a thickness of 1.5cm; the shielding body 6 is composed of an inner layer of 0.5cm thick aluminum and an outer layer of 0.5cm thick lead; the insulation system 7 is composed of fifty layers of aluminum-plated film.

[0054] The specific number of the sidewall photovoltaic conversion units 8 is 40. The photovoltaic conversion unit is a diamond ultra-wide bandgap semiconductor photovoltaic conversion unit. The diamond wide bandgap width is 5.47 eV, which is lower than and close to 6.0 eV, so that the utilization efficiency of fluorescent photons is high. The specific size of the sidewall photovoltaic conversion unit 8 is 15.0×1.5×0.05 cm 3 The specific dimensions of the two horizontal photovoltaic conversion units 9 are (r=12.0 cm, h=0.05 cm); the unit connection circuit 10 and the output circuit 11 both use copper wires.

[0055] The specific number of the plurality of thermocouple / thermoelectrode units 12 is 50, and the thermocouple / thermoelectrode unit is a thermocouple unit, wherein the materials of the P arm 13 and the N arm 14 are both PbTe-based materials, and the size is 3.0×2.0×2.0 cm 3 The material of the protective sleeve 15 is Al2O3-Cr ceramic material, the length is 2.8 cm, the inner diameter is 2.8 cm, the material of the cold cap 16 is metal copper, and the material of the hot junction electrode 17 is 347 stainless steel.

[0056] In the specific implementation, the performance verification results show that in Example 1, the volume of the thermoelectric conversion system is only 10000cm 3 , the total mass is 16kg, and the photovoltaic conversion efficiency η 光 ≈25%, the thermoelectric conversion efficiency η can be achieved at a heat source temperature of 800K 热 ≈7%, overall energy conversion efficiency η 总 ≈32%, which can achieve about 210W power output and 13W / kg specific power output. Compared with the traditional RTG battery with an efficiency of about 6% and a specific power output of 5W / kg, the new composite isotope battery integrating photoelectric and thermoelectric conversion in Example 1 effectively improves the overall energy conversion efficiency and specific power output, and realizes the efficient utilization of decay energy. In addition, 85 The half-life of Kr is 10.37 years. Taking half of the half-life as the expected lifespan, this new composite isotope battery integrating photoelectric and thermoelectric conversion can achieve nearly 5 years of stable operation and can meet most space missions.

[0057] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A composite isotope battery integrating photoelectric and thermoelectric conversion, characterized in that: include: β-radioactive gaseous light source (1), photovoltaic conversion module (2) and temperature difference thermoelectric conversion module (3); The β-radioactive gaseous light source (1) utilizes β particles released by the decay of a gaseous β-radiation source to excite and form an excimer complex, which then de-excites to emit light, thereby forming a light source. Most of the energy of the unused decay particles and photons is converted into heat energy in the form of phonons, thereby forming a heat source. The photovoltaic conversion module (2) is located inside the β-radioactive gaseous light source (1) and is used to receive light energy released by the β-radioactive gaseous light source (1) and realize photoelectric conversion of the β-radioactive gaseous light source through the photovoltaic conversion effect; The temperature difference thermoelectric conversion module (3) is connected to the β-radioactive gaseous light source (1) and is used to receive the heat energy released by the β-radioactive gaseous light source and realize thermoelectric conversion of the β-radioactive gaseous light source through the Seebeck effect.

2. A composite isotope battery integrating photoelectric and thermoelectric conversion according to claim 1, characterized in that: The β-radioactive gaseous light source (1) comprises, from the inside to the outside, a gaseous β-radioactive source (4), a sealed container (5), a shielding body (6) and a thermal insulation system (7); the gaseous β-radioactive source (4) is an energy source of an isotope battery; the sealed container (5) is used to seal the gaseous β-radioactive source (4); the shielding body (6) is used to shield β particles released by the gaseous β-radioactive source (4); and the thermal insulation system (7) is used to insulate the β-radioactive gaseous light source (1).

3. A composite isotope battery integrating photoelectric and thermoelectric conversion according to claim 2, characterized in that: The gaseous β radiation source (4) is 3 H2, or 85 Kr, or 14 CO2, or a single substance, compound, or mixed gas of a single substance and a compound containing a β radioactive element, and a single substance gas, compound gas, or mixed gas of Ar, Kr, Xe, F2, or Cl2 that can form an excited radical association complex after being excited by decay β particles; the sealed container (5) is made of radiation-resistant metal material; the shielding body (6) is made of boron steel, stainless steel, lead, copper, iron, or concrete; the insulation system (7) is made of a material with a thermal coefficient less than or equal to 0.

12.

4. The composite isotope battery integrating photoelectric and thermoelectric conversion according to claim 1, characterized in that: The photovoltaic conversion module (2) comprises a plurality of sidewall photovoltaic conversion units (8), two upper and lower photovoltaic conversion units (9), a unit connection circuit (10) and an output circuit (11); the plurality of sidewall photovoltaic conversion units (8) and the two upper and lower horizontal photovoltaic conversion units (9) are used to receive light energy released by the β-radioactive gaseous light source (1); the unit connection circuit (10) is used to connect the sidewall photovoltaic conversion unit (8) and the two upper and lower horizontal photovoltaic conversion units (9); and the output circuit (11) is used to output electrical energy from the photovoltaic conversion module (2).

5. A composite isotope battery integrating photoelectric and thermoelectric conversion according to claim 4, characterized in that: The sidewall photovoltaic conversion unit (8) and the upper and lower horizontal photovoltaic conversion units (9) are all composed of ultra-wide bandgap semiconductor photovoltaic conversion monomer devices; the unit connection circuit (10) and the output circuit (11) are both made of high temperature resistant metal materials.

6. The composite isotope battery integrating photoelectric and thermoelectric conversion according to claim 1, characterized in that: The temperature difference thermoelectric conversion module (3) comprises a plurality of thermocouple / thermoelectrode units (12), a unit connection circuit (10) and an output circuit (11); the thermocouple / thermoelectrode unit (12) is used to receive heat energy released by the β-radioactive gas light source (1); the unit connection circuit (10) is used to connect a plurality of the thermocouple / thermoelectrode units (12); and the output circuit (11) is used for outputting electric energy from the temperature difference thermoelectric conversion module (3).

7. A composite isotope battery integrating photoelectric and thermoelectric conversion according to claim 6, characterized in that: The thermocouple / thermoelectrode unit (12) is composed of a P arm (13), an N arm (14), a protective sleeve (15), a cold cap (16) and a hot junction electrode (17); the P arm (13) is composed of one or more sections of a P-type semiconductor or a low work function conductor; the N arm (14) is composed of one or more sections of an N-type semiconductor or a high work function conductor; the protective sleeve (15) is composed of a heat insulating material; the cold cap (16) is made of copper, aluminum, or a stainless steel conductor material; the hot junction electrode (17) is made of copper, aluminum, or a stainless steel conductor material.

8. The composite isotope battery integrating photoelectric and thermoelectric conversion according to claim 7, characterized in that: The β-radioactive gaseous light source (1) serves as an energy source for the isotope battery. The photovoltaic conversion module (2) specifically performs photoelectric conversion on the β-radioactive gaseous light source (1) through a sidewall photovoltaic conversion unit (8). Most of the energy of unused decay particles and photons is converted into thermal energy in the form of phonons, which serves as a heat source for the temperature difference thermoelectric conversion module (3). Driven by the temperature difference between the heat source and the cold cap (16), the thermocouple / thermoelectrode unit (12) realizes thermoelectric conversion.

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