Energy conversion systems that may employ control grid electrodes, acceleration grid electrodes, inductive elements, multi-stage anodes, and emissive carbon coatings on the cathode and anode are described. These and other characteristics may allow for advantageous thermal energy to electrical energy conversion.

Energy conversion systems that may employ control grid electrodes, acceleration grid electrodes, inductive elements, multi-stage anodes, and emissive carbon coatings on the cathode and anode are described. These and other characteristics may allow for advantageous thermal energy to electrical energy conversion.

Energy conversion systems that may employ control grid electrodes, acceleration grid electrodes, inductive elements, multi-stage anodes, and emissive carbon coatings on the cathode and anode are described. These and other characteristics may allow for advantageous thermal energy to electrical energy conversion.

Energy conversion systems that may employ control grid electrodes, acceleration grid electrodes, inductive elements, multi-stage anodes, and emissive carbon coatings on the cathode and anode are described. These and other characteristics may allow for advantageous thermal energy to electrical energy conversion.

Circuitry for providing an oscillating output signal. This circuitry includes a transconductance circuit having a first input, a second input, an output. The transconductance also includes a first transistor, a second transistor, and chopping circuitry. The chopping circuitry is for alternatively connecting, in a first clock cycle phase, a first node to a first terminal of the first transistor and a second node to a first terminal of the second transistor and, in a second clock cycle phase, following the first clock cycle phase, the first node to the first terminal of the second transistor and the second node to a first terminal of the first transistor. An oscillator circuit is also included and coupled to receive voltage from the output of the transconductance circuit, wherein the oscillating output signal is responsive to an output of the oscillator circuit. Further connected to the transconductance circuit are circuitry for providing a first voltage to its first input and a frequency controlled circuit for providing a second voltage to its second input.

Circuitry for providing an oscillating output signal. This circuitry includes a transconductance circuit having a first input, a second input, an output. The transconductance also includes a first transistor, a second transistor, and chopping circuitry. The chopping circuitry is for alternatively connecting, in a first clock cycle phase, a first node to a first terminal of the first transistor and a second node to a first terminal of the second transistor and, in a second clock cycle phase, following the first clock cycle phase, the first node to the first terminal of the second transistor and the second node to a first terminal of the first transistor. An oscillator circuit is also included and coupled to receive voltage from the output of the transconductance circuit, wherein the oscillating output signal is responsive to an output of the oscillator circuit. Further connected to the transconductance circuit are circuitry for providing a first voltage to its first input and a frequency controlled circuit for providing a second voltage to its second input.

Thermionic generators are described herein that include a variety of features that allow the devices to efficiently and effectively convert large amounts of thermal energy directly to electrical energy, such as in the form of currents and/or voltages. For example, the thermionic generators can be used to generate an electron beam from a thermionic emission device, and focus or shape the electron beam in such a way that allows the energy of electrons in the electron beam to be captured and converted to electrical energy.

Thermionic generators are described herein that include a variety of features that allow the devices to efficiently and effectively convert large amounts of thermal energy directly to electrical energy, such as in the form of currents and/or voltages. For example, the thermionic generators can be used to generate an electron beam from a thermionic emission device, and focus or shape the electron beam in such a way that allows the energy of electrons in the electron beam to be captured and converted to electrical energy.