Apparatus and method for establishing a temperature gradient
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for establishing a temperature gradient are inefficient in transmitting large amounts of energy between electrodes, resulting in a small energy transfer between the anode and cathode.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates field-enhancement devices, such as cone-shaped peaks, to create a region with a significantly higher electric field strength than the average field in the working space, ionizing molecules which are then accelerated to release energy at the second boundary surface, maintaining ionization and enabling efficient energy transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a uniform electric field is applied between parallel electrodes, then the electric field distribution is homogeneous, but the energy transmission between electrodes remains very small
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating field-enhancement devices (protrusions) at specific locations on the electrode surface. These protrusions concentrate the electric field locally to achieve ionization, while the rest of the electrode maintains a simpler structure. This resolves the contradiction by enabling high energy transmission through localized field enhancement without requiring complete structural complexity across the entire electrode.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode surface is segmented into regions with and without field-enhancement devices. The protrusions are distributed across the electrode surface, creating discrete ionization zones. This segmentation allows the system to achieve effective energy transmission through multiple localized points while maintaining overall structural simplicity.
2Volume of moving object
If the distance between boundary surfaces is increased, then more space is available for molecular motion, but the electric field strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The field-enhancement devices create localized regions of high electric field strength despite the increased distance between boundary surfaces. The protrusions concentrate the field lines, ensuring sufficient ionization force is maintained in the expanded working volume without requiring the entire space to have high field strength.
3Power
If field-enhancement devices are added to increase energy transmission, then larger temperature gradients can be produced, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The field-enhancement devices are implemented as simple protrusions or peaks on the electrode surface, adding minimal structural complexity. These localized features create the necessary field enhancement for high energy transmission and temperature gradient production without requiring complex overall device architecture.
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 approach allows for the transmission of larger amounts of energy and the creation of a significant temperature gradient between the boundary surfaces, with the second surface becoming warmer than the first, while maintaining a plasma or electron gas for efficient electrical energy transmission.
Implementation Method 1
a field strength of the electric field in a region of the field-enhancement device is greater than an average field strength of the electric field in the working space
Implementation Method 2
molecules of the gas located in the working space are ionized so that the ionized molecules in the electric field are accelerated by the electric field
Implementation Method 3
the ionized molecules in the electric field are accelerated by the electric field
Implementation Method 4
the molecules ionized at the field-enhancement device are thus accelerated towards the second boundary surface by the force acting on the ionized molecules in the electric field
Implementation Method 5
at which second boundary surface the molecules release energy, whereupon the molecules are reflected by the second boundary surface
Implementation Method 6
the molecules lose energy during the movement against the electric field and cool in the process
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and method for establishing a temperature gradient, comprising at least one gas-tight working space having a first boundary layer that is connected to a first electrode and a second boundary layer that is connected to a second electrode, wherein when an electric voltage is applied between the first electrode and the second electrode in the working space, an electric field can be produced between the first boundary surface and the second boundary surface, and wherein a distance between the first boundary surface and the second boundary surface is less than 5000 nm, wherein the first boundary surface comprises at least one field-enhancement device, in particular a peak, so that if an electric voltage is applied to the electrodes, a field strength of the electric field in a region of the field-enhancement device is greater than an average field strength of the electric field in the working space.