An energy conversion and transmission system includes a thermal energy converter configured to convert thermal blackbody radiation energy to thermal infrared (IR) energy and to output a thermal IR energy stream. The system further includes a transmission device configured to receive the thermal IR energy stream from the thermal energy converter at a first location and output the thermal IR energy stream at a second location. The transmission device supplies the thermal IR energy stream to a thermal IR energy destination at the second location.

A system and method for improving solar collector design to provide thermal and electric output during times of low or no solar intensity. The improved solar collector design includes an infrared heater to supplement energy provided by the sun during time of low or no solar intensity.

A system and method for improving solar collector design to provide thermal and electric output during times of low or no solar intensity. The improved solar collector design includes an infrared heater to supplement energy provided by the sun during time of low or no solar intensity.

The object of the present invention is to use the high temperature thermal power stored in the fluid bed in conjunction with thermophotovoltaic (TPV) technology. TPV technology requires thermal emitters at high temperature (>600° C.) to produce electricity from thermal radiation. TPV thermal emitters are located immersed in or exposed to a hot particles fluidized bed, protected by suitable layers of high temperature resistant material, like ceramic or refractory walls. Such high temperature fluidized bed, will provide thermal power to the TPV cells, to produce electricity.

The object of the present invention is to use the high temperature thermal power stored in the fluid bed in conjunction with thermophotovoltaic (TPV) technology. TPV technology requires thermal emitters at high temperature (>600° C.) to produce electricity from thermal radiation. TPV thermal emitters are located immersed in or exposed to a hot particles fluidized bed, protected by suitable layers of high temperature resistant material, like ceramic or refractory walls. Such high temperature fluidized bed, will provide thermal power to the TPV cells, to produce electricity.

A thermophotovoltaic generator uses conveniently available liquid hydrocarbon fuels. The fuels are controllably heated and vaporized before ignition to avoid residue and deposits as a result of liquid fuel being prematurely exposed to high temperatures of combustion causing unwanted breakdowns, producing power robbing residues and deposits. Heating fuel and air to right temperatures for ignition is accomplished by drawing combustion air over an exhaust chamber, through a regenerator and through a passage surrounding an IR filter. A separate cooling fan drives air through photovoltaic cell array fins over the recuperator and the exhaust in counterflow to the combustion air.

A thermophotovoltaic generator uses conveniently available liquid hydrocarbon fuels. The fuels are controllably heated and vaporized before ignition to avoid residue and deposits as a result of liquid fuel being prematurely exposed to high temperatures of combustion causing unwanted breakdowns, producing power robbing residues and deposits. Heating fuel and air to right temperatures for ignition is accomplished by drawing combustion air over an exhaust chamber, through a regenerator and through a passage surrounding an IR filter. A separate cooling fan drives air through photovoltaic cell array fins over the recuperator and the exhaust in counterflow to the combustion air.

A method and device to collect and convert thermal energy from the surrounding environments to produce usable electric power. The device includes a rectenna that is preferably a narrow bandwidth rectenna. In an embodiment, the rectenna comprises a rectenna complex, which is, in sequence, a high gain antenna, optional matching circuits, an optional narrow bandpass filter, and one or more rectifying diodes. An embodiment may include multiple arrays of linked nanoscale rectenna complexes. When linked in arrays using preselected bandwidths in the infrared and near infrared spectral regions, the rectenna complex acts as a thermally responsive collector capable of extracting heat energy from its surrounding environment to produce usable electric power.

A method and device to collect and convert thermal energy from the surrounding environments to produce usable electric power. The device includes a rectenna that is preferably a narrow bandwidth rectenna. In an embodiment, the rectenna comprises a rectenna complex, which is, in sequence, a high gain antenna, optional matching circuits, an optional narrow bandpass filter, and one or more rectifying diodes. An embodiment may include multiple arrays of linked nanoscale rectenna complexes. When linked in arrays using preselected bandwidths in the infrared and near infrared spectral regions, the rectenna complex acts as a thermally responsive collector capable of extracting heat energy from its surrounding environment to produce usable electric power.

A layered window in thermophotovoltaic (TPV) devices is disclosed herein. The device may include two or more front window layers, including an outer front window layer nearest the light source that is thin and highly doped and a lower doped inner front window layer nearest a TPV absorber layer. In some embodiments, there may be additional front window layers between the outer front window layer and the inner front window layer. In some embodiments, the TPV device also may include a front contact, a back contact, and other components.