Device for the direct conversion of radiation or heat into electrical energy

Abstract

The present invention relates to a power generator for the direct conversion of radiation and / or heat into electrical energy. The power generator comprises three capacitor elements (11, 12, 13) arranged parallel to and spaced apart from one another, wherein two of the capacitor elements form a driving capacitor which is applied to a driving voltage (U). C ) is charged, wherein each of the driving capacitor elements (11, 12) is or has a capacitor surface made of or coated with a conductive material, and the third capacitor element (13) is arranged substantially parallel to a first of the two capacitor surfaces of the driving capacitor on a rear side facing away from the second capacitor surface (11) or a front side of this surface (12) opposite the rear side, and are connectable or connected to the first driving capacitor surface (12) via a voltage tap (14a, 14b).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to devices for the direct conversion of radiation, in particular radioactive or electromagnetic radiation, and of heat into electrical energy, wherein the device does not include any mechanically moving parts.

[0002] The conversion of electromagnetic or radioactive radiation into electrical energy is often still carried out indirectly via thermal energy. This means that the radiant energy is used to heat a heat transfer medium, which then, directly or indirectly via heat exchangers, sets turbines in motion. These turbines, in turn, drive generators connected via a shaft, which ultimately convert the kinetic energy into electrical energy in the form of alternating voltage and alternating current. This has the disadvantage that, firstly, a very complex and therefore costly and error-prone setup is required, which also includes a large number of expensive components.

[0003] Solar cells are known for converting electromagnetic radiation directly into electrical energy. They consist of semiconductors with two thin layers, one p- and one n-doped. Incoming photons first generate electron and hole pairs in these layers. These electrons are then separated in the depletion region at the interface between the semiconductors, leading to the generation of a voltage and a current. Solar cells have the advantage of requiring no moving parts, but their production is comparatively complex due to the materials used and the purity requirements. For example, crystalline silicon is frequently used as the semiconductor, but it can only be grown under specific laboratory conditions. In comparison, solar cells made of amorphous silicon have a significantly lower efficiency.Rare earth elements, which are often difficult to obtain and comparatively expensive, are also used to dope the p and n layers of the semiconductor.

[0004] The direct conversion of heat into electrical energy is possible using a thermoelectric generator, often also called a Peltier element after the French physicist Jean Peltier. Peltier elements can be used both to generate a temperature difference by applying an electric current (Peltier effect) and to generate a voltage and current flow when the element is exposed to a temperature difference. The latter effect is also known as the Seebeck effect, after the German physicist Thomas Johann Seebeck, who discovered it in 1821 when he joined two different metals and heated one of the contact points while cooling the other. A disadvantage of Peltier elements that use the Seebeck effect for the direct conversion of thermal to electrical energy is their low efficiency.Even when using semiconductors instead of metals, today's thermocouples achieve efficiencies in the single-digit percentage range. However, the use of semiconductors presents the same problem as with solar cells: the raw materials required are scarce, and the processes necessary for growing semiconductors are complex and therefore expensive.

[0005] There is therefore a need for technical solutions for the direct conversion of radiant or thermal energy into electrical energy. The present invention aims to provide a device that enables the direct conversion of radiant or thermal energy using simple means.

[0006] This problem is solved by a power generator according to claim 1 and an energy generation device according to claim 27, which are further developed in the respective subclaims.

[0007] The central idea of ​​the current generator according to the invention is that a charged capacitor, hereinafter also referred to as a driving capacitor, accelerates the charge carriers present between another capacitor element and one of the capacitor surfaces of the driving capacitor towards one of the capacitor surfaces, which serves as a collector plate, similar to the collector plate of a vacuum tube, through its external or stray field. However, the present invention does not require a vacuum to function. The charge carriers are generally electrons, since these are much more easily released from the material of a cathode element, which is heated by the available thermal or radiant energy. In the simplest case, the other capacitor element itself serves as the cathode element.Alternatively or additionally, another element, such as a rod or plate of the same material as the other capacitor element or of a different material, preferably a material with a low work function, may be present. To enable charge equalization, any additional cathode element present is galvanically connected to the other capacitor element.

[0008] In the current generator according to the invention, the further capacitor element and optionally also an additional cathode element are arranged spaced apart on one side of the capacitor and aligned parallel to one of the capacitor plates. The driving voltage can be applied with a downward slope from the first to the second or vice versa from the second to the first capacitor element. This has no effect on the output voltage when the terminals are open.

[0009] Since the thermionic emission of electrons from a material, according to the Dushman equation, is proportional to the square of the temperature, an exponential factor of the quotient of work function and temperature multiplied by the Boltzmann constant, it is advantageous to heat the cathode cell to the highest possible temperature to provide the highest possible current and thus the highest possible power output from the generator. On the other hand, it is almost equally important to use a material for the cathode cell, or at least to coat it with such a material, that has a low work function. Suitable materials include calcium with a work function of 2.7 eV, an alloy of 99% tungsten and 1% thorium with a work function of approximately 2.6 eV, or metal oxides such as calcium oxide with a work function of 1.6 eV, strontium oxide with 1.27 eV, or barium oxide with only 1.1 eV.Due to their comparatively low mechanical strength, the aforementioned oxides are not yet suitable as structural material for the capacitor element itself. Instead, they would be used as a coating on another structural material, such as a metal with high conductivity like aluminum or copper and / or high temperature resistance like tungsten. If a separate cathode element is used, it can also consist entirely of an oxide. Barium and strontium, as cations of the oxide, have the disadvantage of being toxic and radioactive, respectively. Of the oxides mentioned, calcium oxide is therefore the most practically suitable coating material for the cathode element because calcium is abundant, easy to process, and also biologically safe.

[0010] The current generator according to the invention has a voltage tap between the further capacitor element and / or the cathode element and the nearest capacitor surface or plate of the driving capacitor, from which the voltage that builds up when the cathode element is irradiated and / or heated can be tapped. If a load is connected to a voltage tap, a current flow results which, at saturation, is limited by the electrons released from the cathode element according to the Dushman equation.

[0011] In addition to thermal release, electrons are also released through direct absorption of light quanta when the cathode element is exposed to light, according to the photoelectric effect. Here, too, the device according to the invention benefits from a low work function of the material forming the surface of the cathode element, since a larger proportion of the spectrum of the light source used is utilized. The total current deliverable by the power generator is thus determined, on the one hand, by the thermally released electrons, the number of which can be calculated according to the Dushman equation, and, on the other hand, by the electrons released by the photoelectric effect, the number of which depends on the number of photons with an energy above the work function. When using CaO, for example, this would be all photons with wavelengths of 775 nm or less, i.e., the entire visible spectrum. The number of electrons released by the photoelectric effect, i.e.,The photon absorption of the released electrons is proportional to the number of photons with sufficient energy multiplied by the absorption probability, which indicates the probability that an incident photon will be absorbed by the cathode element material. To increase this probability, it is advantageous to coat the cathode element black or apply a black layer. To simultaneously minimize heat radiation losses and prevent rapid cooling of the material, it is proposed to coat the cathode element with a material that exhibits the highest possible absorption coefficient in the visible and even shorter-wavelength parts of the spectrum, particularly in the UV range, while also displaying a comparatively high reflectivity in the infrared, especially in the near and mid-infrared regions.It is proposed to subject the surface of the cathode element to nanostructuring.

[0012] A further component of the energy conversion device according to the invention, a power generator according to the invention, is a heat source for heating the cathode element. A preferred heat source is the sun or the waste heat generated during the decay of a radioactive element. In principle, a boiler or a furnace can also be used as a heat source, in which a fuel such as wood, coal, oil, or gas is burned or heat is released in some other way. This heat is transferred to a heat transfer medium such as water, brine, or a liquid salt. In this case, the energy generation device has means for circulating the heat transfer medium through the cathode element, either by natural convection or by means of a circulation pump. For this purpose, the cathode element comprises at least one flow opening through which the heat transfer medium can circulate.In the case of a rod-shaped cathode element, this can simply be a concentric channel along the axis of the rod; in the case of a planar cathode element, on the other hand, a channel running in a band shape across the surface of the element is proposed, or a channel made of, for example, one or more metal tubes attached externally to a rear side of the cathode element facing away from the capacitor plate.

[0013] The power generator according to the invention has a simple design and can be implemented with little effort, offering the advantage of a thermocouple or solar cells, without moving parts, of being able to convert radiation or electrical energies directly into electrical energy.

[0014] In its basic design, the current generator resembles a vacuum tube, in which charge carriers emitted from a cathode, i.e., primarily electrons, are accelerated towards a collector plate. However, unlike a vacuum tube, there is no driving voltage between the cathode and the collector plate. Instead, the voltage is only generated between the opposing capacitor plates. The other capacitor element(s) and / or the cathode element are not connected to a voltage source, and the voltage that builds up between this element(s) and the opposite first capacitor plate arises solely from the electric field in the space surrounding the capacitor.

[0015] Advantageous further developments of the present invention, which can be implemented individually and in combination, provided they do not obviously exclude each other, are presented below.

[0016] Preferably, the capacitor surface of the driving capacitor closest to the further capacitor element is positively charged.

[0017] For voltage stabilization, a stabilizing capacitor can be connected in parallel to the voltage tap between the additional capacitor element and the first capacitor plate of the driving capacitor. The capacitance of the stabilizing capacitor is 100 nF or more, in particular 1 µF or more, for example exactly 1 µF, and / or is greater than or equal to the capacitance of the driving capacitor.

[0018] In the power generator according to the invention, one or both of the capacitor surfaces of the driving capacitor are preferably uniformly flat or curved.

[0019] In preferred embodiments of the power generator, the additional capacitor element is planar or rod-shaped. In this case, the first capacitor element, which forms one of the capacitor surfaces of the driving capacitor, can be a winding on the third capacitor element. The first capacitor surface is then effectively formed by the surface of this winding.

[0020] In embodiments of the power generator, the second capacitor surface of the driving capacitor is cylindrical or semi-cylindrical. In these cases, the first capacitor surface can also be cylindrical and, in particular, arranged concentrically to the second, on its inner surface.

[0021] Particularly preferred embodiments provide a rod- or cylindrical-shaped third capacitor element, preferably arranged concentrically in the interior or on the inside of the second capacitor element, wherein the first capacitor surface is formed by a metal foil wound around the cathode element.

[0022] In other embodiments of the power generator, the capacitor surfaces of the driving capacitor are angled. This can be implemented by having the capacitor surfaces be metal layers applied to opposite sides of an angled support substrate element.

[0023] In general, other driving capacitor geometries can also be implemented as metal layers applied to both sides of a substrate with a desired shape, e.g., vapor-deposited. The substrate can be a dielectric material.

[0024] The third capacitor element and / or the cathode element preferably consists of or is coated with a metal or metal oxide with a low work function, in particular calcium, an alloy of tungsten and thorium, calcium oxide, barium oxide, or strontium oxide.

[0025] Power generator according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an additional element or cathode element made of a metal or a metal oxide with a low work function, in particular made of calcium, an alloy of tungsten and thorium, calcium oxide, barium oxide, or strontium oxide, is present in the space between the first and the third capacitor element.

[0026] The third capacitor element and / or the additional element may contain a radioactive element, in particular uranium or thorium.

[0027] The current generator according to the invention can be designed such that the first capacitor surface is a parabolically curved plate, the back of which, facing the further capacitor element and / or a cathode element, is reflective or specular, e.g., coated with silver, and a rod- or cylinder-shaped third capacitor element or cathode element is arranged in a focal line, in which parallel rays incident on the back of the first capacitor surface are focused. It is advantageous to blacken the side of the element arranged in the focal line of the mirror facing the first capacitor surface, ideally with a paint that has a low work function. It is further preferred that the side of the element located in the focal line be reflective, e.g., coated with silver, facing away from the first capacitor surface.

[0028] The first and second capacitor plates are preferably connected to a voltage source that supplies the driving voltage. The driving voltage must be sufficiently high to accelerate any free charge carriers present in the space between the third and first capacitor plates to one of the capacitor plates. The driving voltage can be approximately 100 V, 200 V, 300 V, 1000 V, or more.

[0029] In the current generator according to the invention, the distance between the first capacitor surface and the second capacitor surface of the driving capacitor is preferably less than 0.1 mm, and in particular less than 20 µm. The minimum distance between the third capacitor element and the nearest capacitor surface of the driving capacitor is preferably less than 0.1 mm, and more preferably less than 20 µm.

[0030] In some designs, the first capacitor surface and / or the subsequent capacitor element of the power generator exhibit field concentration protrusions, at least on the side facing the other element, particularly in the form of cones or pyramidal peaks and / or ridges with a triangular cross-section.

[0031] The power generator or device according to the invention for the direct conversion of thermal and / or radiant energy into electrical energy can also include a light concentrator in the form of a converging lens or a mirror, which is shaped and arranged in such a way that electromagnetic radiation from an electromagnetic radiation source, in particular the sun, is concentrated onto the third capacitor element and / or the free space between the first and the third capacitor element, thereby heating the third capacitor element and / or one or more additional cathode elements located in the space between the first and third capacitor elements for the purpose of thermionic and / or photoelectric release of charge carriers.

[0032] The mirror and / or the power generator designed as a mirror can be arranged in a frame that can be aligned towards the sun.

[0033] Furthermore, the power generator or energy conversion device preferably includes a device for the controlled removal of heat generated at the capacitor elements.

[0034] The capacitor element and / or an element located in the space between capacitor elements of the power generator, such as the cathode element described above, release charge carriers when influenced by radioactive and / or electromagnetic radiation.

[0035] In the device according to the invention, the driving voltage can preferably be applied between the first and third capacitor elements of the power generator and the load can be connected to the first and second capacitor elements of the power generator.

[0036] The device according to the invention can comprise two, three, four, five or more power generators connected in series or in parallel.

[0037] The device can also include a power generator in which the third capacitor element is accessible from an irradiation solid angle for externally incident light rays, in particular by being arranged in a driving capacitor made of angular or semi-cylindrical capacitor surfaces, wherein the irradiation solid angle is preferably approximately the half-space located from the third capacitor element opposite the driving capacitor, and a light-collecting mirror, in particular a parabolic mirror, wherein the cathode element is arranged and oriented in a focal point or focal line of the parabolic mirror such that the parabolic mirror, as seen from the third capacitor element, lies within the irradiation solid angle, and in particular preferably fills it.

[0038] The power generator according to the invention can also be used in a charge detector.

[0039] Further advantages, features, and properties of the present invention will become apparent from the exemplary embodiments described below with reference to the figures. These are intended merely to illustrate the invention and in no way to limit it.

[0040] They show: Fig. 1A: A schematic view of a current generator according to the invention, consisting of a driving capacitor and a further capacitor element arranged at a distance from it in the outer field of the driving capacitor, serving as a cathode. Fig. 1B: A schematic view of a power generator according to the invention, similar to the one shown in the Fig. 1A, with the difference that the distance between the further capacitor element and the nearest capacitor surface of the driving capacitor is less than the distance between the plates of the driving capacitor. Fig. 1C: A schematic view of an embodiment of the power generator consisting of four capacitor elements, of which two are arranged in pairs at the smallest possible distance from each other and are galvanically isolated from each other by a thin, dielectrically resistant insulator. Fig. 2A, B: Views of a first preferred embodiment of a current generator according to the invention with a driving capacitor in the form of two concentrically arranged hollow cylinders surrounded by two half-cylinders and a rod-shaped third capacitor element arranged along the cylinder axis. Fig. 3A, B: Views of a second preferred embodiment of the power generator according to the invention, similar to that shown in the Fig. 2, but excluding the outer half-cylinders. Fig. 4A, B: Views of a third preferred embodiment of the power generator according to the invention with two angled capacitor plates. Fig. 5A - C: Various perspective views of a fourth preferred embodiment of the current generator according to the invention comprising a cylindrical capacitor surface and a rod-shaped further capacitor element arranged inside, around which a winding is placed that provides one of the driving capacitor surfaces. Fig. 6A, B: Views of a fifth preferred embodiment of the current generator according to the invention with an additional element in the space between the rod-shaped third and the hollow cylindrical second capacitor element. Fig. 7: Perspective view of a sixth preferred embodiment of the power generator according to the invention with a perforated plate-shaped first, a rod-shaped third and a second capacitor element in the form of a winding on the third capacitor element. Fig. 8A - D: Circuit diagrams of various capacitor element configurations examined here.

[0041] In the Fig. Figure 1 illustrates the basic functionality of the power generator according to the invention.

[0042] The Fig. Figure 1A shows a current generator 100 consisting of three capacitor elements: a first capacitor plate 11 and a second capacitor plate 12, which are arranged parallel and facing each other at a distance a, and a third capacitor plate 13. The plates 11 and 12 are connected to the DC voltage source 40, which supplies them with the driving voltage U. C It charges and keeps the charge constant. This creates an electric field F between plates 11 and 12. Has indicated by the arrows pointing from 11 to 12. The negatively charged plate 12 and the positively charged plate 11 mutually influence each other through induction, resulting in an internal charge carrier displacement. The negative charge carriers, in the case of typically metallic plates the mobile electrons, arrange themselves on the right side of the capacitor plates 11, leaving the positively charged atomic cores behind. This is illustrated in the figure by the '+' and '-' symbols. The charge imbalance within the plates 11, 12 is schematically illustrated in the figure by the different number of these '+' and '-' symbols for the respective plates. The charged plates 11, 12 not only generate the stronger internal field (field lines F) between themselves. H), but also an outer field, also called a stray field (field lines F, F1, F2). The outer field is much weaker than the inner field; nevertheless, for illustrative purposes, it is represented here with only a slightly smaller number of field lines F and a similar field line density to the inner field F. H shown. The field lines F of the outer field begin, as is conventional, at the positive (minority) excess charges on the left side of the second plate 12 and run in a curve to the negative (minority) excess charges at the right edge of the first plate 11. Since the radius of curvature for the field lines located further inwards is very large, the curved, “closed” course is only illustrated for the outermost field lines F1, F2.

[0043] The third capacitor plate 13 is arranged at a distance b from the second plate 12. Due to the comparatively large distance (b » a), the external field F3 at the location of the third plate 13 is already quite weak. Nevertheless, it causes a certain internal charge displacement / separation, even if the resulting charge density is lower, as illustrated by the small number of charge carrier symbols compared to the minority charges of plates 11 and 12. If the third capacitor plate 13 is heated, for example as indicated by the heat source Q, or exposed to light L, charge carriers e (almost exclusively electrons) are released thermally and / or by the photoelectric effect. These are accelerated by the existing external field F3, which extends into the region of plate 13, towards the driving capacitor plate 11 or 12 corresponding to their polarity; in the case of electrons e, towards the second capacitor plate 12.Due to charge carrier loss, the output voltage UA builds up between the third capacitor plate 13 and the second capacitor plate 12, which can be tapped between electrodes 14a and 14b. Because of the comparatively small number of charge carriers, the possible current is quite limited in practice, making it difficult to measure U. A recommends connecting a voltage stabilization capacitor between electrodes 14a and 14b. If a load R is applied... L A current I flows between these electrodes. L , where the output voltage of the generator 100 is set to U A (R L ) = I L R L reduced. The maximum possible (short-circuit) current at R L =0 is given by the number of charge carriers released from plate 13 per unit time multiplied by the average probability of reaching plate 12 through acceleration in the outer field F3.

[0044] In the Fig. 1B illustrates a variant of the power generator in which the distances a and b of the Fig. 1A are reversed, meaning that in the current generator 100', the third capacitor plate 13 is located relatively close to the second capacitor plate 12. This results in a stronger external field F3 at the location of the third capacitor plate, allowing more charge carriers (thermionically or photoelectrically) released, typically electrons, to be "drawn off" to the second capacitor plate. Consequently, both the output voltage U A Both the open terminals and the short-circuit current are significantly increased. This variant can be derived from the in Fig. The result shown in 1A can be obtained by connecting the voltage source 40 to the plates 13 and 12 in the configuration shown there, i.e. in practice the voltage source is simply “rewired”.

[0045] The Fig. Figure 1C shows an embodiment of a current generator in which a further capacitor element is arranged on each side of the driving capacitor. The current generator 100" is formed here from two pairs of capacitor plates arranged at a distance from each other, a first pair 11 and 13' and a second pair 12 and 13. In each pair, the plate facing the other pair is part of the driving capacitor, i.e., the driving voltage UC is generated between plates 12 and 13 by means of the DC voltage source 40, as in the embodiments described above. The capacitor plates 13 and 13' are each arranged as close as possible to the plate of their respective pair and are galvanically separated from it only by a thin insulating layer 15.This ensures that the charge separation and the resulting external field, which build up between the charged plates 11 and 12 of the driving capacitor due to induction, have the greatest possible influence on the other capacitor plates 13 and 13'. The additional capacitor plate 13' located near the positively charged driving capacitor plate 11 generally experiences less charge carrier absorption than the plate 13 located near the negatively charged driving capacitor plate 12. Therefore, the output voltage that can be measured at electrodes 14a and 14b is higher than that between electrodes 14c and 14d.

[0046] The Fig. Figure 2 shows two views of a first preferred embodiment of the power generator according to the invention, which includes the [unclear text]. Fig. 1C schematically illustrated principle realized. Fig. Figure 2A shows the generator in a perspective view from a slightly elevated angle, which Fig. 2B in top view.

[0047] The current generator 200 of this embodiment comprises two cylindrical capacitor surfaces 211 and 212, which are surrounded by two semi-cylindrical surfaces 216l, 216r, the latter being connected together and thus effectively forming a further cylindrical capacitor surface 216, which can be contacted via the tap 214d. The innermost capacitor surface 212 can be contacted via the tap 214b, and the outer capacitor surface 211, which may be formed by a metal foil wound around the cylinder 212, can be contacted via the tap 214c, for example, to apply a voltage between them and charge the capacitor formed by the surfaces 211, 212. A third, rod-shaped capacitor element 213 is arranged concentrically to the cylinders and extends through them. It can be contacted via the tap 214a.In the current generator according to the invention, either the capacitor formed by elements 212 and 213 or the capacitor formed by the cylindrical surfaces 211 and 212 can be used as the driving capacitor, with the remaining element serving as the third electrode and, if necessary, the cathode. In the latter case, where the third capacitor element 213 forms this electrode / cathode, the inventors measured an open-circuit voltage of +252 V between taps 214b and 214a and +80 V between taps 214d and 214c when a driving voltage of +300 V was applied to taps 214b and 214c. The continuous current between taps 214a and 214b at a load of R. LThe resistance of 9.2 MOhm was 239 nA. The diameter of cylinder 212 was 22 mm and its length 76 mm. The outermost cylinder surface 216 had a diameter of 28 mm. The diameter of the middle cylinder surface 211, which was formed by an aluminum foil wrapped around cylinder 212, was slightly larger than that of surface 212.

[0048] In the Fig. 3 are two views of a second one, the schematic arrangement of the Fig. 1A realizing preferred embodiment of the power generator according to the invention is shown, in which Fig. 3A in a perspective view from a slightly elevated angle, in which Fig. 3B in top view. The 300 power generator corresponds to that of the Fig. 2 without the outermost cylinder. Otherwise, it differs only in its dimensions and proportions. Here, the diameter of the inner cylinder is 212 mm and its length is 130 mm. The output voltage measurable when a driving voltage of 300 V is applied between capacitor surfaces 311 and 312 with open terminals was U A =185 V and the current through a load of R L = 9.2 MOhm 0.35 µA (corresponds to 3.17 V across R L measured voltage drop).

[0049] The Fig. Figure 4 shows two views of a third preferred embodiment of the power generator according to the invention, which Fig. 4A in a perspective view from a slightly oblique angle above, which Fig. 4B in top view.

[0050] The capacitor surfaces 411, 412 are each formed by a metal layer on the front and back of a substrate 450. The angular arrangement allows for good charge carrier storage properties for a further capacitor element arranged on the inside of the angle parallel to the vertex line as a third electrode, or cathode, and further elements, for example the radioactive rods of the Fig. 5B and Fig. 5C, can be arranged to increase the number of available free charge carriers. In the Fig. In the 4 shown form, the angle has an arm length of 60 mm leg and a vertex length of 125 mm.

[0051] In tests where the inventors filled the interior of this embodiment of the generator with various radioactive materials (Bohemian glass, tungsten-thorium welding rods, old incandescent mantles) as additives, a voltage of 148 V was measured at an input voltage of 300 V. A load measurement with RL = 9.2 MOhm showed a load current of 2.2 µA. When the radioactive additives were replaced by a soldering iron heated to 400°C, the load current was reduced to 0.2 µA.

[0052] In a further embodiment not shown, the inner surface of the inner capacitor surface 12 is mirrored. When used with a planar third capacitor element and oriented towards a radiation source, the radiation is directed from the mirrored surfaces onto the third capacitor element, where the resulting heating or the photoelectric effect releases additional charge carriers, thus increasing the available current.

[0053] The Fig. Figure 5 shows two views of a fourth preferred embodiment of the power generator according to the invention, which is based on the principle of Fig. 1B implements. The Fig. 5A and Fig. Figure 5B shows perspective views from a slightly elevated angle, once with and once without radioactive sources. Fig. 5C shows a detail of the Fig. 5B.

[0054] The relevant capacitor surfaces are formed here by the inner cylindrical surface 511, the rod 513 arranged concentrically to it, and the winding 512 applied to the rod 513. Galvanic isolation between the rod 513 and the winding is ensured by a varnish coating on the wire of the winding 512. The outer surfaces shown in the figure can also be included, but were not used in the inventors' experiments described below. The winding 512 is connected to the tap 514b, the rod to the tap 514a, and the outer cylinder to the tap 514c.

[0055] When a driving voltage of 300 V was applied to the driving capacitor formed by winding 512 and outer cylinder 511, an output voltage of 112 V was measured between taps 514a and 514b when rod 513 was used as the cathode. The current with a 9.2 MΩ load connected between these taps was 0.65 µA. The dimensions of the outer cylinder 511 correspond to those specified in the Fig. The two values ​​given are correct, as it was indeed the same construction. The diameter of rod 513, and thus the inner diameter of winding 512, is 3 mm, and the outer diameter of winding 512 is 4 mm.

[0056] In the Fig. 5B and Fig. In addition to the rod 513 forming the third capacitor element, a bundle of further rods 530 is placed through the cylinder 511 in 5C. These rods 530 contain a radioactive substance.

[0057] In the versions tested by the inventors, this was thorium, which was alloyed in tungsten at a concentration of approximately 1%. The radioactivity provides free charge carriers that can contribute to the current. Accordingly, the load current increased to 0.8 µA with a load of 9.2 MΩ. The open-circuit voltage in this case was U A = 140 V.

[0058] The Fig. Figure 6 shows views of a fifth preferred embodiment of the power generator according to the invention, in which an additional element with a low work function is used to increase the number of free charge carriers.

[0059] As in the second embodiment, the current generator comprises 600 cylindrical driving capacitor surfaces 611, 612, in which a rod-shaped third capacitor element 613 is arranged concentrically. The inner driving capacitor surface 612 is formed by a copper layer on a hollow cylindrical substrate, the outer driving capacitor surface 611 by an aluminum foil wrapped around the substrate cylinder, which is galvanically separated from the inner driving capacitor surface 612 by the insertion of an electrically insulating intermediate layer, such as clear household foil. The cylinder thus formed is positioned upright, and the third capacitor element is supported on the upper edge by a crossbeam 620. As in the Fig. As shown in Figure 6B, the third capacitor element 613 includes an additional element 640 in the form of a dish containing calcium oxide powder. This is heated by the heat source Q to stimulate the thermionic emission of electrons. The number of electrons released in this way, which can then be drawn off by the stray field of the driving capacitor when the driving voltage is applied to terminals 614b and 614c, is particularly high when CaO is used as the material for the additional element due to its comparatively low work function of only 1.60 ± 0.20 eV.

[0060] Measurements showed an output voltage of 200 V with a drive capacitor voltage of 300 V. When the output terminals were loaded with a 9.2 MΩ resistor, 10 V was still present, corresponding to a continuous current of approximately 10 µA. Without the additional element 640, the measured output voltage and load current were significantly worse: 65 V open terminal voltage and 1.45 V under load with a 9.2 MΩ resistor (corresponding to a load current of 0.16 µA), again with an input voltage of 300 V. The diameter of the cylindrical surface 612 was always 34 mm and the length 110 mm; the diameter of the outer drive capacitor surface 611 was only slightly larger (by approximately 0.5 mm).

[0061] In the Fig. Figure 7 shows a sixth embodiment of the current generator according to the invention, in which a first surface 711 of the driving capacitor is formed by a perforated aluminum plate measuring 12.5 x 12.5 cm, and the second surface 712 of the driving capacitor is formed by a winding around an aluminum rod 713 with a diameter of approximately 3 mm as the third capacitor element. The driving voltage was applied between terminals 714c and 714b, and the output voltage was tapped between terminals 714a and 714b. Parallel to the rod 713, a bundle of four tungsten-thorium welding rods is arranged as an additional element 730.

[0062] The Fig. Figure 8 shows different configurations of the capacitor elements of the power generator according to the invention.

[0063] The simplest one, in which Fig. The configuration shown in 8A, consisting of a driving capacitor made of two concentric cylindrical surfaces 11, 12 and a concentric, rod-shaped third capacitor element 13, corresponds to that of the Fig. 3 and Fig. 6. The driving or input voltage Uc was applied between the outer cylindrical surface 11 with radius Ra and the inner cylindrical surface 12 with radius Ri. The output voltage U A , as well as under load the output current, was tapped between the inner cylindrical surface 12 and the rod-shaped element 13.

[0064] In several measurements with one of the configurations of Fig. 8A corresponding structure with a cylindrical surface 12 with R iWith a diameter of 22 mm and a length of 130 mm, where area 11 was slightly shorter and had a slightly larger diameter, the inventors measured output voltages of 185 V and 250 V with an input voltage of 300 V and continuous currents of between 0.35 and 0.45 µA (corresponding to output voltages under load of 3.17 V and 4.2 V) under load with a load of 9.2 MOhm.

[0065] In a measurement using an aluminum cylinder with a diameter of 20 mm and a length of 130 mm for the second capacitor surface 12, an open terminal voltage of 295 V was present at the output with an input voltage of 420 V. A measurement using an aluminum cylinder with a diameter of 12 mm and a length of 130 mm resulted in an output voltage of 180 V at 300 V.

[0066] Furthermore, measurements were carried out in which, in addition to element 13, further elements for the release of additional charge carriers were located in the cylinder interior.

[0067] In the Fig. Figure 8B shows a configuration with angled driving capacitor surfaces, an outer surface 11, an inner surface 12, and a rod-shaped capacitor element 13 arranged on the inside of the inner surface 12. This configuration is achieved by the embodiment of Fig. 4 realized. The input voltage U C was applied between surfaces 11 and 12 and the output voltage U AThe output current is tapped between points 12 and 13 under load. The angled configuration offers the advantage of providing ample space for additional elements, such as radioactive rods or materials with low work function, which are irradiated or heated by electromagnetic radiation. Instead of a rod-shaped element, a planar capacitor element 13 can also be used, in conjunction with a mirrored coating on the inner surface of surface 12 facing element 13. This directs the radiation striking surface 12 onto the capacitor element 13, where it can release additional charge carriers.

[0068] The Fig. 8C shows a configuration with one compared to the other. Fig. 8A additional cylindrical capacitor area, so that here an outer capacitor area 16 with radius R a , a mean capacitor area 11 with radius R m , an inner capacitor surface 12 with radius R iand a rod-shaped innermost capacitor element 13, all arranged concentrically to each other. When the inner and middle capacitor surfaces 11 and 12 are used as a driving capacitor to apply the input voltage U. C This results in two outputs: one between the middle surface 11 and the outer surface 16, between which the output voltage U A,2 adjusts and further between the inner surface 12 and the innermost element 13, between which the tension U A,1 builds up. Is the voltage U C When connected as shown, i.e., with a positive sign decreasing from 12 to 11, the output voltage U drops A,2 from 16 to 11 and the output voltage U A,1 from 12 to 13, each step with a positive sign. This configuration corresponds to the embodiment of the Fig. 2.

[0069] The inventors also measured this configuration. With an input voltage UC=300 V, the open-circuit voltages at outputs 1 and 2 were UA,1=252 V and UA,2=80 V, respectively. The current drawn from output 1 under a 9.2 MΩ load was 0.24 µA, corresponding to a voltage of 2.2 V. Despite the higher open-circuit voltage, the current drawn from output 2 was significantly lower, in the range of only a few nanoamperes.

[0070] The Fig. Figure 8D shows a configuration with an outer capacitor surface 11, which can be cylindrical with a radius R, for example, and two inner capacitor surfaces 12.1 and 12.2, each with an innermost capacitor element 13.1, 13.2. Surfaces 11 and 12.1 serve as the driving capacitor, which is charged with the input voltage UC. The first innermost element 13.1 is galvanically connected to the second inner capacitor surface 12.2. The output voltage UA is tapped between the first inner surface 12.1 and the second innermost capacitor element 13.2. The two adjacent capacitor element combinations 12.1+13.1 and 12.2+13.2 are thus effectively connected in parallel, so that at least an increase, approximately an addition, of the output voltage is expected compared to a single combination element.

[0071] This was indeed confirmed by the inventors. Using a copper cylindrical surface 11 with a diameter of 22 mm and a length of 130 mm, and capacitor surfaces 12.1 and 12.2 in the form of a winding of insulating wire with a diameter of 3 mm, an output voltage of 250 V was measured at an input voltage of 300 V. The continuous current with a 9.2 MΩ load on the output was approximately 1.1 µA, corresponding to a load voltage of 10 V. For comparison, a single measurement yielded a voltage of only about 112 V at a continuous current of about 0.65 µA (see...). Fig. 5B, Fig. 5C). Reference symbol list 100, 100', 100" generator (schematic) 11 first capacitor plate 12 second capacitor plate 13 third capacitor plate 14 Voltage tap Voltage tap connected to 13 (14a) 14b connected to 12 voltage tap 14c with 11 connected voltage tap 40 DC voltage source F Outfield F1, F2 “closed” field lines F3 13 influencing field lines a distance between 11 and 12 b. Distance between 12 and 13 U C by 40 provided driving voltage U A Output voltage R L , R L,1 , R L,2 load I L Current through load L light Q Heat source e released electrons 200 power generators, each with two concentric cylindrical surfaces and half-cylindrical surfaces 211 outer capacitor area 212 inner capacitor area 213 rod-shaped capacitor element 214, 214a - d Voltage taps 216, 216r, 216l Half-cylinder surfaces 217, 218 Voltage stabilization capacitor 300 power generators with two concentric cylindrical surfaces 311 outer capacitor area 312 inner capacitor area 313 rod-shaped capacitor element 314, 314a - d Voltage taps 315 Insulator film 317 Voltage stabilization capacitor 400 power generators with angled capacitor surfaces 411 outer angled capacitor surface 412 inner angled capacitor surface 450 substrate plate 500 power generators with winding as capacitor surface 511 outer capacitor area 512 winding 513 rod-shaped capacitor element 514, 514a - c Voltage taps 517 Voltage stabilization capacitor 530 radioactive rods 600 power generators with CaO additive element 611 outer cylindrical capacitor surface 612 inner cylindrical capacitor surface 613 rod-shaped capacitor element 614b terminal for 612 614c terminal for 611 620 support crossbeams 640 Additional element (aluminum bowls with CaO powder) Q Tealight as a heat source 700 power generators with plate-shaped element 711 Aluminum perforated plate 712 winding on 713 713 rod-shaped capacitor element 714a Contacting 713 714b Contacting 712 714c Contacting of 711 730 tungsten thorium welding rod bundles R i , R m , R a Radii U A,1 , U A,2 Output voltages 1 and 2

Claims

[1] Power generator comprising three capacitor elements (11, 12, 13) arranged parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other, wherein - two of the capacitor elements form a driving capacitor, which is driven by a driving voltage (U) C ) is charged, which is in particular sufficiently high to accelerate free charge carriers present in the space between the third (13) and first capacitor element (12) to one of the capacitor elements (11, 12) of the driving capacitor, and wherein each of the driving capacitor elements (11, 12) is or has a capacitor surface made of or coated with a conductive material, and wherein the first and the second capacitor surface (11, 12) are in particular galvanically connected to a voltage source (40) which supplies the driving voltage (U C ) delivers, and - the third capacitor element (13) ◯ is arranged substantially parallel to a first of the two capacitor surfaces of the driving capacitor on a rear side facing away from the second capacitor surface (11) or on a front side of this surface (12) opposite the rear side, and ◯ can be connected or are connected to the first driving capacitor surface (12) via a voltage tap (14a, 14b). [2] Power generator according to claim 1, wherein the third capacitor element (13) is arranged on the back side of the first capacitor surface (12). [3] Power generator according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein a stabilizing capacitor is connected in parallel to the voltage tap (14a, 14b) between the third capacitor element (13) and the first capacitor surface for voltage stabilization, wherein in particular a capacitance of the stabilizing capacitor is 100 nF or more, in particular 1 µF or more, for example exactly 1 µF and / or is greater than or equal to a capacitance of the driving capacitor. [4] Power generator according to one of the preceding claims, wherein one or both of the capacitor surfaces (11, 12) of the driving capacitor are uniformly flat or curved, in particular the capacitor surfaces (411, 412) of the driving capacitor are angled or the first capacitor element (512) is a winding on the third capacitor element (513) and the first capacitor surface is the surface of this winding (512). [5] Power generator according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the third capacitor element (13, 213, 313, 513) is planar or rod-shaped. [6] Power generator according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second capacitor surface (211, 311, 511) of the driving capacitor is cylindrical or semi-cylindrical, and in particular the first capacitor surface (212, 312, 512) is also cylindrical and in particular is arranged concentrically to the second, on the inside of the latter, wherein the power generator further comprises in particular a rod- or cylindrical-shaped, preferably concentric, third capacitor element arranged in the interior or on the inside of the second capacitor element, wherein in particular the first capacitor surface is formed by a metal foil wound around the third capacitor element. [7] Power generator according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the capacitor elements and surfaces are metal layers applied to opposite sides of a support substrate having a desired shape, wherein the support substrate is in particular a dielectric material. [8] Power generator according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the third capacitor element consists of or is coated with a metal or metal oxide having a low work function, in particular calcium, an alloy of tungsten and thorium, calcium oxide, barium oxide or strontium oxide. [9] Power generator according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an additional element, in particular a cathode element providing charge carriers by means of thermal or photoelectric excitation, made of a metal or a metal oxide with a low work function, in particular calcium, an alloy of tungsten and thorium, calcium oxide, barium oxide, or strontium oxide, is present in the space between the first and the third capacitor element, in particular the third capacitor element or the additional element (530) contains a radioactive element, in particular uranium or thorium. [10] Power generator according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first capacitor surface is a parabolically curved plate which is designed to be reflective or specular on the back side facing the cathode element, e.g. coated with silver, and a rod- or cylinder-shaped third capacitor element is arranged in a focal line in which rays incident parallel to the back side of the first capacitor surface are focused, wherein the third capacitor element is in particular black on one side facing the first capacitor surface and / or reflective on the side facing away from the first capacitor surface, e.g. coated with silver. [11] Power generator according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the distance between the first capacitor surface and the second capacitor surface and / or the distance between the third capacitor element and the first capacitor surface is less than 0.1 mm, in particular less than 20 µm. [12] Power generator according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a mirror shaped and arranged such that electromagnetic radiation from an electromagnetic radiation source, in particular the sun, can be concentrated onto the third capacitor element and / or the free space between the first and the third capacitor element, and thereby the third capacitor element and / or one or more elements with low electrode work located in the space between the first and third capacitor element can be heated for the purpose of thermal and / or photoelectric release of charge carriers. [13] Power generator according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a device for controlled removal of heat accumulating at the capacitor elements. [14] Power generator according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first capacitor surface and / or the third capacitor element has field concentration projections at least on the side facing the other element, in particular in the form of cones or pyramidal tips and / or ridges with a triangular cross-section. [15] Device for the direct conversion of electromagnetic or radioactive radiation and / or heat into electrical energy comprising at least one, in particular two or more, power generators connected in parallel or in series according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a load (R) is connected to the voltage tap L) is connected and a heat and / or radiation source is available for heating to generate free charge carriers and wherein, in particular, a capacitor element or an intermediate space between capacitor elements of the power generator releases charge carriers by being influenced by radioactive and / or electromagnetic radiation, wherein, furthermore, in particular, the driving voltage (Uc) can be applied between the first and third capacitor element of the power generator and the load (RL) can be connected to the first and second capacitor element of the power generator. [16] Device according to the preceding claim comprising a power generator with a mirror concentrating electromagnetic radiation, wherein the mirror is arranged in a frame that can be directed towards the sun. [17] Device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising: - a power generator in which the third capacitor element and / or a cathode element is accessible from an irradiation solid angle for externally incident light rays, in particular by being arranged in a driving capacitor made of angular or semi-cylindrical capacitor surfaces, wherein the irradiation solid angle is preferably approximately the half-space located from the third capacitor element opposite the driving capacitor, and - a light-collecting mirror, in particular a parabolic mirror, wherein the capacitor element and / or the cathode element is arranged and oriented in a focal point or focal line of the parabolic mirror such that the parabolic mirror, as seen from the element, lies within the solid angle of irradiation, and in particular preferably fills it. [18] Charge detector comprising a power generator according to one of the preceding power generator claims.

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