Electric Power Generator Using Oxygen-Containing Compounds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thermoelectric and thermionic power generators face low conversion efficiency and require a constant temperature gradient, limiting their effectiveness in converting thermal energy to electrical energy.
Innovation Solution
An electric power generator using an active material comprising oxygen-containing compounds like MgO, ZnO, and ZrO2, with specific particle sizes and without thickener additives, allowing for current generation between electrodes without initial charging and across a wide temperature range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If thermoelectric or thermionic power generators are used to convert thermal energy to electrical energy, then power generation is achieved, but conversion efficiency is low and a constant temperature gradient is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental operating parameter from requiring a temperature gradient to operating with a single temperature variable. The active material's current generation capability is made dependent on temperature alone, allowing the device to function without maintaining a complex temperature gradient between different regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates the requirement for a temperature gradient system from the power generator design. By using an active material that generates current based on temperature dependence rather than heat flow, the complex thermal management system required for maintaining temperature gradients is removed.
2Use of energy by moving object
If thermoelectric or thermionic power generators are used, then power generation is achieved, but the thermal source must be relatively constant
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameter from requiring constant thermal source conditions to accepting variable temperature inputs. The active material responds to temperature changes by adjusting current generation, enabling adaptation to fluctuating thermal sources while maintaining power generation capability.
3Ease of manufacture
If active material with thickener additive is used, then device assembly is simplified, but device stability decreases at temperatures above 80°C
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the thickener additive from the active material composition. This extraction eliminates the source of thermal degradation above 80°C while the active material maintains its functionality through its inherent temperature-dependent current generation mechanism, achieving both simplicity and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite active material formulation consisting of specific oxygen-containing compounds with controlled particle sizes, optimized to provide both manufacturability and thermal stability without requiring organic thickeners that degrade at elevated temperatures.
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
The solution provides stable electric energy generation across a wide temperature range, increasing current output by 1.5-4 times from 20 to 80°C without the need for a temperature gradient, enhancing device stability and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an active material capable to be applied on one electrode and to generate current when comprised between at least two electrodes, surprisingly without initial charging and dependently on the temperature
Data Source
Figure 1~1B
Figure 2A~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to an electric power generator (EPG) comprising at least a first electrode (11) and a second electrode (12), wherein the electric power generator comprises an active material between said electrodes (11,12), said active material comprising at least one oxygen-containing compound selected from the group consisting of MgO, ZnO, ZrOCl2, ZrO2, SiO2, Bi2O3, Fe3O4, AI2O3,TiO2, BeO, CaO, Ga2O3, Ιn2O3, GeO2, SnO2 and PbO2, wherein the particle size of the oxygen- containing compound has an average diameter in the range from 10 nm to 40 μιτι and wherein a thickener additive selected from the group consisting of agar agar, xanthan gum, methyl cellulose, and arabic gum is absent