1047 results about "Energy conversion devices" patented technology

Disclosed is an energy conversion apparatus. An energy conversion apparatus may comprise a control part controlling a length of a first time duration in which input current is inputted and accumulated, a length of a second time duration in which the accumulated current is provided to a load, and a length of a third time duration in which inverse current flows; and a DC-to-DC converter including an inductor, a output capacitor, and at least one switching element, wherein the input current is accumulated during the first time duration by switching the at least one switching element according to a control of the control part so as to perform input impedance matching, and the DC-to-DC convert provides a current corresponding to a difference between the accumulated current provided during the second time duration and the inverse current flowing from the output capacitor during the third time duration to the load.

The present invention provides a thin film amorphous silicon-crystalline silicon back heterojunction and back surface field device configuration for a heterojunction solar cell. The configuration is attained by the formation of heterojunctions on the back surface of crystalline silicon at low temperatures. Low temperature fabrication allows for the application of low resolution lithography and / or shadow masking processes to produce the structures. The heterojunctions and interface passivation can be formed through a variety of material compositions and deposition processes, including appropriate surface restructing techniques. The configuration achieves separation of optimization requirements for light absorption and carrier generation at the front surface on which the light is incident, and in the bulk, and charge carrier collection at the back of the device. The shadowing losses are eliminated by positioning the electrical contacts at the back thereby removing them from the path of the incident light. Back contacts need optimization only for maximum charge carrier collection without bothering about shading losses. A range of elements / alloys may be used to effect band-bending. All of the above features result in a very high efficiency solar cell. The open circuit voltage of the back heterojunction device is higher than that of an all-crystalline device. The solar cell configurations are equally amenable to crystalline silicon wafer absorber as well as thin silicon layers formed by using a variety of fabrication processes. The configurations can be used for radiovoltaic and electron-voltaic energy conversion devices.

A radiant energy concentrating or collimating system comprising an enclosure that shields its contents from environmental effects while allowing radiant energy to transmit through its top window; a plurality of energy concentrating or collimating assemblies, each on its own pivot mechanism and each comprising a plurality of optics, a support structure and an energy conversion device that is mounted on a heat dissipating structure; a drive mechanism controlled by a microprocessor to rotate the said energy concentrating or collimating assemblies on two orthogonal axes in unison so the assemblies are oriented towards desired direction at any given time.

Method and apparatus for generating a low tar, renewable fuel gas from biomass and using it in other energy conversion devices, many of which were designed for use with gaseous and liquid fossil fuels. An automated, downdraft gasifier incorporates extensive air injection into the char bed to maintain the conditions that promote the destruction of residual tars. The resulting fuel gas and entrained char and ash are cooled in a special heat exchanger, and then continuously cleaned in a filter prior to usage in standalone as well as networked power systems.

A multijunction, monolithic, photovoltaic (PV) cell and device (600) is provided for converting radiant energy to photocurrent and photovoltage with improved efficiency. The PV cell includes an array of subcells (602), i.e., active p / n junctions, grown on a compliant substrate, where the compliant substrate accommodates greater flexibility in matching lattice constants to adjacent semiconductor material. The lattice matched semiconductor materials are selected with appropriate band-gaps to efficiently create photovoltage from a larger portion of the solar spectrum. Subcell strings (601, 603) from multiple PV cells are voltage matched to provide high output PV devices. A light emitting cell and device is also provided having monolithically grown red-yellow and green emission subcells and a mechanically stacked blue emission subcell.

New thermoelectric materials and devices are disclosed for application to high efficiency thermoelectric power generation. New functional materials based on oxides, rare-earth-oxides, rare-earth-nitrides, rare-earth phosphides, copper-rare-earth oxides, silicon-rare-earth-oxides, germanium-rare-earth-oxides and bismuth rare-earth-oxides are disclosed. Addition of nitrogen and phosphorus are disclosed to optimize the oxide material properties for thermoelectric conversion efficiency. New devices based on bulk and multilayer thermoelectric materials are described. New devices based on bulk and multilayer thermoelectric materials using combinations of at least one of thermoelectric and pyroelectric and ferroelectric materials are described. Thermoelectric devices based on vertical pillar and planar architectures are disclosed. The advantage of the planar thermoelectric effect allows utility for large area applications and is scalable for large scale power generation plants.

Energy devices such as energy conversion devices and energy storage devices and methods for the manufacture of such devices. The devices include a support member having an array of pore channels having a small average pore channel diameter and having a pore channel length. Material layers that may include energy conversion materials and conductive materials are coaxially disposed within the pore channels to form material rods having a relatively small cross-section and a relatively long length. By varying the structure of the materials in the pore channels, various energy devices can be fabricated, such as photovoltaic (PV) devices, radiation detectors, capacitors, batteries and the like.

A fluid-powered energy conversion device for converting energy in a moving fluid such as air into mechanical energy. A rigid cylindrical frame includes an upstream annular chamber and a downstream annular chamber, each of the chambers having sides that are open to allow entry of the wind. A plurality of longitudinal baffles form a toroidal pattern that creates an upstream drive vortex in the upstream chamber, and a downstream extraction vortex rotating in the opposite direction in the downstream chamber. The drive vortex rises and changes direction as it passes through a turbine mounted on a longitudinal drive shaft in a central aperture between the chambers. The turbine is rotated by the rotational momentum of the drive vortex, by lift that is generated by each turbine blade, and by additional momentum that is created by the vortex reversal.

A method and system is described for controlling a solar collector. A microprocessor receives inputs from one or more sensors in the system and determines the level of operation of an energy conversion device. If the level of operation reaches a predetermined setpoint below a maximum level at which the device is to operate, a variable focus solar concentrator is defocused to reduce energy input into the energy conversion device. When the system cools down and operates at a second predetermined level, lower than the first predetermined level, the concentrator is then refocused to increase the power input to the energy conversion device.

A membrane enclosed fluid diffusion system for insect attractants and repellents, auto thermostatic heaters, and chemical delivery using an additive and / or selectively permeable membrane that interacts with the enclosed fluid to maintain steady delivery rates over a range of temperature and humidity. Systems can be formed with permeable membranes, impermeable membranes, chemical hydrates, wicks, scent fluids, fuel fluids, catalytic heaters, energy conversion devices, visible images, infrared images, trapping systems, sound systems, electronics, and apparel. The device results in efficient and effective devices for mosquito control drug delivery, and portable heaters.

An energy conversion device comprises at least two thin film photovoltaic cells fabricated separately and joined by wafer bonding. The cells are arranged in a hierarchical stack of decreasing order of their energy bandgap from top to bottom. Each of the thin film cells has a thickness in the range from about 0.5 μm to about 10 μm. The photovoltaic cell stack is mounted upon a thick substrate composed of a material selected from silicon, glass, quartz, silica, alumina, ceramic, metal, graphite, and plastic. Each of the interfaces between the cells comprises a structure selected from a tunnel junction, a heterojunction, a transparent conducting oxide, and an alloying metal grid; and the top surface and / or the lower surface of the energy conversion device may contain light-trapping means.

An integrated energy conversion device includes a nanoarray layer having a plurality of nanofeatures disposed in a pattern. The nanoarray layer is configured to modify a selected one of a direction and a wavelength of photons of light incident on a surface of the nanoarray layer. The nanoarray layer has a surface. A first material is disposed adjacent to and optically coupled to one region of the surface of the nanoarray layer. A second material is disposed adjacent to and optically coupled to a second region of the surface of the nanoarray layer. At least a selected one of the first material and the second material includes a photovoltaic layer which is configured to provide an integrated solar cell electrical output voltage and an integrated solar cell electrical output current between an integrated solar cell positive output terminal and an integrated solar cell negative output terminal.

Systems and methods for controlling regeneration of a particulate filter downstream of an engine coupled to an energy conversion device are provided herein. One exemplary method includes, during first engine shutdown conditions, increasing excess oxygen to the particulate filter by spinning the engine with the energy conversion device, and regenerating the particulate filter. The method also includes, during second engine shutdown conditions, decreasing the excess oxygen to the particulate filter.

A fuel system for an energy conversion device includes a multiple of fuel plates, oxygen permeable membranes, porous substrate plates, and vacuum frame plates which define a wave pattern configuration. The wave configuration enhances deoxygenation by increasing the efficiency and integrality due to higher surface volume ration, increase of flow turbulence, and minimal sharp edges which may otherwise damage the oxygen permeable membranes compared to other configurations.

A radiant energy concentrating or collimating system comprising an enclosure that shields its contents from environmental effects while allowing radiant energy to transmit through its top window; a plurality of energy concentrating or collimating assemblies, each on its own pivot mechanism and each comprising a plurality of optics, a support structure and an energy conversion device that is mounted on a heat dissipating structure; a drive mechanism controlled by a microprocessor to rotate the said energy concentrating or collimating assemblies on two orthogonal axes in unison so the assemblies are oriented towards desired direction at any given time.

Diamond-like carbon based energy conversion devices and methods of making and using the same which have improved conversion efficiencies and increased reliability are provided. In one aspect, such a device may include a cathode having a plurality of nano-diamond particles disposed in a metal matrix, where the plurality of nano-diamond particles protrude partially from the metal matrix. A layer of diamond-like carbon (DLC) may be deposited on the plurality of nano-diamond particles and the metal matrix. Additionally, an anode may be located in a position to face the plurality of nano-diamond particle protrusions.

First and second conductive members having different Seebeck coefficients are formed on an insulating substrate. The first and second conductive members are connected by ohmic contact, and the surfaces connected by ohmic contact are covered with a material sheet having a superior heat conductivity and an electric insulating property in the junction surface, such as an aluminum sheet formed with surfaces provided with electric insulating property by alumite treatment or the like. On the opposite side, bonding wires are connected with the first and second conductive members by ohmic contact. The bonding wires are insulated from one another, and used as output terminals of an integrated parallel Peltier Seebeck element chip. The thus produced integrated parallel Peltier Seebeck element chips are connected by one or more serial or parallel cables, to form energy conversion apparatus from electricity to heat and thermal energy transfer apparatus.

An electro-mechanical energy conversion system coupled between an energy source and an energy load comprising an energy converter device including a doubly fed induction machine coupled between the energy source and the energy load to convert the energy from the energy source and to transfer the converted energy to the energy load and an energy transfer multiplexer to control the flow of power or energy through the doubly fed induction machine.

A submersible and remotely-operable platform system for carrying out repeated operations in a submarine position, and producing electrical energy as either a primary or secondary purpose by means of one or more energy-conversion payload devices installed thereon. The platform and payload devices may be periodically brought to the surface and thence, if necessary, to a shore-based facility for maintenance or refit. In deployment, the platform is preferably engaged to its mooring lines and electrical cables while still on the surface. Simultaneous with controlled flooding of certain of its volumes, the platform is guided to an operational depth and attitude by the action of its winch assemblies upon their engaged mooring lines. Subsea currents energize the platform's payload of energy conversion devices, the electrical output being preferably conveyed via one or more surface-attached cables to an off-board facility for further processing, distribution, or consumption.

The invention provides a movable semi-submersible multifunctional marine energy supplying platform. The movable semi-submersible multifunctional marine energy supplying platform comprises a semi-submersible ship body with the middle portion provided with a main buoyancy cabin, a tidal current energy generating set is installed on the lower section of the main buoyancy cabin, the back portion of a deck of the semi-submersible ship body is provided with hinges which are connected with an energy absorbing floating body arranged above the main buoyancy cabin through supporting arms, the deck of the semi-submersible ship body is provided with a plurality of stand columns each of which is divided into three sections from bottom to top, the lower section of each stand column is provided with a tidal current energy generating set, the middle section of each stand column is provided with a buoyancy adjusting cabin, the upper section of each stand column is provided with an equipment cabin, and each equipment cabin is internally provided with an energy converting device, an energy storing storage battery set and the like. The top portions of all stand columns are connected with an abovewater platform which is provided with a plurality of wind energy generating sets, solar power generation panels and sea water desalting plants, and the output ends of all energy converting devices are connected with the storage battery sets. A wave energy converting element is hinged between the floating body and the semi-submersible ship body deck, and a water blocking plate is installed on the back portion of the semi-submersible ship body. The movable semi-submersible multifunctional marine energy supplying platform is low in cost, convenient to move and high in practicality.

The disclosed invention relates to solar-thermal receiver tubes for heating high-temperature fluids such as molten salts and oils, such as those used in conjunction with trough reflectors or concentric concentrators. The disclosed invention utilizes fused silica receiver tube assemblies that provide optical absorption by way of optically-absorbing media that is imbedded within the thermal transfer fluid, preferably comprising inorganic “dyes” that comprise pulverized thin film coatings or dissolved materials that are specifically designed for maximizing optical absorption. Alternatively, the chemistry of the transfer fluid can be modified to increase optical absorption, or the optically absorbing media may comprise fine powders with density preferably similar to the thermal transfer fluid, such as fine graphite powder; or, in another preferred embodiment, absorbing means within the heat transfer fluid comprise a solid absorbing element disposed along the central axis of the receiver tube's interior.

Diamond-like carbon based energy conversion devices and methods of making and using the same which have improved conversion efficiencies and increased reliability. Such a device may include a cathode having a base member with a layer of diamond-like carbon material coated over at least a portion thereof, an intermediate member electrically coupled to the diamond-like carbon material, the intermediate member including a plurality of carbon structures coated with a layer of an insulating material, and an anode electrically coupled to the intermediate member opposite the diamond-like carbon material.

A fuel system for an energy conversion device includes a deoxygenator system with a porous membrane. The deoxygenator includes an oxygen receiving channel separated from the fuel channel by the porous membrane. The capillary forces counteract the pressure differential across the membrane, preventing any leakage of the fuel, while the oxygen concentration differential across the membrane allows for deoxygenation of the fuel through the porous membrane.

A system and method for generating energy with human powered devices and providing environmental feedback to users is disclosed which motivates individuals to use the equipment for the purpose of improving the environment. Fitness equipment is fitted with energy conversion devices such as electric generators to convert human powered energy to electrical energy. Energy that is generated by the user is converted to a quantitative or qualitative environmental feedback parameter. The environmental feedback parameter is indicative of the user's positive effect on the environment as a function of the energy generated by their use of the fitness equipment. The environmental feedback parameter is displayed to the users during their use of the equipment, and may be stored as a log of individual session use, or cumulative total use, for later examination by the users or for group use.

This invention deals with the general topic of adaptive non-imaging tracking of the sun. A transmission-mode electro-optical system is presented for solar energy tracking and collection. The scale of the system may range from small portable systems to large-scale industrial power plants used for the production of environmentally benign energy. It maybe integrated directly into buildings and other platforms without the need for heliostats to hold photovoltaic cells or other energy conversion devices above the building or other host platform. It makes solar energy harvesting systems practical by allowing the separation of tracking, collection, concentration, aggregation, distribution, and energy conversion. This novel system is unique and distinct from other sun tracking and energy conversion systems because it allows adaptive solid-state electronics to be used in place of conventional mechanical tracking heliostats. Furthermore, it is highly precise and therefore allows very high levels of concentration to be achieved in an dynamic environment. It is also cost effective because it leverages integrated opto-electronics instead of mechanical devices to perform sun tracking.