AMTEC Unit Cell with Open Internal Electrode

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing alkali metal thermal to electric converter (AMTEC) unit cells face challenges in collecting electricity internally without interface losses and in connecting external lead wires due to their complex structure and high-temperature corrosiveness, particularly at the lower high-temperature portion of the module.

Innovation Solution

An open internal electrode AMTEC unit cell design utilizing a porous metal tube as a support, with a metal filler in the curved portion to seal pores and a thin-film solid electrolyte coating on the internal electrode, allowing external electrical connection and eliminating the need for internal wire connections, thus simplifying the assembly and reducing interface losses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If internal wire connections are used to collect electricity within the AMTEC unit cell, then electricity can be collected, but the structure becomes complex and interface losses occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterface lossesVSAvoidinternal wire connections

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the internal wire connection structure entirely by opening the internal electrode to the outside, allowing electricity to be collected externally without requiring internal wires, thereby eliminating both interface losses and structural complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of collecting electricity internally through wires as in conventional designs, the invention inverts the approach by opening the internal electrode to the outside, enabling external collection of electricity and simplifying the internal structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If lead wires are connected internally in the high-temperature portion, then electricity can be collected, but the high-temperature corrosiveness causes durability problems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedurability at high temperatureVSAvoidinternal wire connections

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes lead wires from the high-temperature internal environment entirely by opening the internal electrode to the outside, allowing electrical connection to be made in a lower-temperature external environment, thereby improving reliability without requiring complex high-temperature wire connections

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of connecting lead wires internally in the high-temperature zone, the invention inverts the connection approach by opening the electrode externally, enabling connections to be made outside the high-temperature corrosive environment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Stability of the object's composition

If a dense structure is used for the solid electrolyte, then ionic conductivity is improved, but manufacturing precision becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidcoating precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a thin-film solid electrolyte coating on the internal electrode, which can be applied through coating processes that are more manageable than creating fully dense structures, balancing ionic conductivity requirements with manufacturing feasibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The internal electrode uses a porous metal tube structure that provides both mechanical support and facilitates the coating process for the solid electrolyte, making it easier to achieve uniform coating while maintaining structural integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This design enhances durability at high temperatures, improves power generation efficiency by avoiding internal wire connections and interface losses, and simplifies the assembly process by enabling direct external electricity collection without short-circuits.

Implementation Method 1

Na+ passes through beta-alumina solid electrolyte (BASE)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIonic conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

After the state of Na vapor is changed into a vapor state in a high temperature and high pressure evaporator by a heat source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 3

a condenser which is disposed on the upper portion of the case and collects and condenses the operating fluid which has passed through the AMTEC unit cell

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Data Source

PatentUS9607774B2AMTEC unit cell with partially opened internal electrode and method for manufacturing the AMTEC cell

Publication Date: 2017.03.28 KOREA INST OF ENERGY RES

AI summary

Disclosed are an open internal electrode AMTEC unit cell, a method for manufacturing the same and a method for connecting circuits. In order to overcome the difficulty in collecting electricity within a conventional AMTEC unit cell, an internal electrode of which a portion is open to the outside, so that the internal electrode and an external electrode can be electrically connected to each other at the outside of the unit cell, and a metal support is used as the internal electrode, so that the internal electrode has durability and stability, and a solid electrolyte is formed in the form of a thin film, and as a result, the AMTEC unit cell has an improved efficiency and a simpler manufacturing process.