Zero-Gap Thermophotovoltaic Structure With Insulating Waveguide Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermophotovoltaic technologies face challenges in efficiently converting waste heat into usable electrical energy due to low energy conversion efficiency, high module costs, and limited scalability, primarily because of the need for vacuum or air gaps that complicate large-scale manufacturing.
Innovation Solution
A thermophotovoltaic device with a zero-gap design incorporates an infrared-transparent intermediate layer made of low thermal conductivity materials like glass, GaAs, Si, InP, or CdTe between the thermal emitter and PV receiver, functioning as a solid-state waveguide to enhance energy conversion efficiency and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If vacuum or air gap is used between emitter and receiver, then thermal insulation is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the vacuum or air gap from the thermophotovoltaic device structure. By removing this complex intermediate space requirement, the device achieves simpler construction while maintaining thermal insulation performance through direct contact between emitter and receiver components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the emitter and receiver components into direct contact, eliminating the need for a separate vacuum or air gap structure. This consolidation simplifies the overall device architecture while achieving effective thermal management through the integrated design.
2Loss of energy
If vacuum or air gap is used between emitter and receiver, then thermal insulation is improved, but manufacturing scalability and cost-effectiveness worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the vacuum or air gap requirement from the manufacturing process, enabling standard fabrication techniques to be used. This extraction of the complex gap structure allows for scalable production and cost-effective manufacturing of thermophotovoltaic devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the structural parameter from requiring a vacuum or air gap to using direct solid-contact configuration. This parameter change enables manufacturing using conventional processes without the need for vacuum chamber assembly or air gap maintenance, significantly improving ease of manufacture and scalability.
3Loss of energy
If traditional thermophotovoltaic design with gap is used, then thermal insulation is achieved, but energy conversion efficiency and power generation stability remain low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the emitter and receiver into direct contact configuration, improving the coupling efficiency for photon transfer. This merging eliminates the losses associated with gap structures while enhancing the stability and reliability of power generation through optimized energy transfer between components.
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 zero-gap design enables scalable, cost-effective manufacturing by eliminating vacuum or air gaps, supporting higher energy conversion efficiency and stable high-power generation, reducing single module costs, and facilitating large system integration.
Implementation Method 1
an intermediate layer comprising a thermal insulating material with a low thermal conductivity of at most 1.4 W/m-K
Implementation Method 2
The receiver comprising a photovoltaic cell configured to convert at least a portion of the photons into electric energy
Implementation Method 3
an emitter for emitting photons towards a receiver
Data Source
AI summary
A thermophotovoltaic device comprises an emitter for emitting photons towards a receiver. The thermophotovoltaic device also comprises an intermediate layer comprising a thermal insulating material with a low thermal conductivity of at most 1.4 W/m-K. The intermediate layer is positioned between the emitter and the receiver. The receiver comprising a photovoltaic cell configured to convert at least a portion of the photons into electric energy.