Patents by Inventor Larry Levoy

Larry Levoy has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Direct thermal-electric conversion for geothermal energy recovery
    Patent number: 4047093
    Abstract: Direct conversion systems for in situ conversion of geothermal energy into electricity are described in which thermoelectric generators and/or thermionic convertors directly convert the earth's thermal energy into electrical energy. The choice of a thermoelectric or thermionic system is dictated by the temperature domain of the particular geothermal formation.The basic unit of the described system includes at least two coaxially-intersecting heat pipes, extending between a high temperature geological strata and a low temperature geological strata. Thermal-electric energy conversion devices are positioned within an annulus between the intersecting heat pipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1975
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1977
    Inventor: Larry Levoy