Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include thermionic energy converters with a thermal concentrating hot shell and emitters for thermionic energy converters. In some embodiments, an illustrative thermionic energy converter includes: an emitter electrode; a hot shell configured to concentrate heat flow toward the emitter electrode; a collector electrode; and a cold shell that is thermally isolated from the hot shell.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include vacuum electronic devices, methods of operating a vacuum electronic device, and methods of fabricating a vacuum electronic device. In a non-limiting embodiment, a vacuum electronics device includes a cathode and an anode. At least one focus grid is disposed between the cathode and the anode, and the at least one focus grid is physically disconnected from the cathode. The at least one acceleration grid is disposed between the cathode and the anode, and the at least one acceleration grid is further disposed adjacent the at least one focus grid. The at least one acceleration grid is physically disconnected from the cathode.

Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include combined heating and power modules and combined heat and power devices. In an illustrative embodiment, a combined heat and power device includes a heating system including: at least one burner; at least one igniter configured to ignite the at least one burner; a fluid motivator assembly including an electrically powered prime mover; and a heat exchanger fluidly couplable to the fluid motivator assembly. At least one alkali metal thermal-to-electricity converter (AMTEC) has a high pressure zone and a low pressure zone, the high pressure zone being thermally couplable to the at least one burner, the low pressure zone being thermally couplable to the heat exchanger.

Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include combined heating and power modules and combined heat and power devices. In an illustrative embodiment, a combined heat and power device includes a heating system including: at least one burner; at least one igniter configured to ignite the at least one burner; a fluid motivator assembly including an electrically powered prime mover; and a heat exchanger fluidly couplable to the fluid motivator assembly. At least one alkali metal thermal-to-electricity converter (AMTEC) has a high pressure zone and a low pressure zone, the high pressure zone being thermally couplable to the at least one burner, the low pressure zone being thermally couplable to the heat exchanger.

Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include combined heating and power modules and combined heat and power devices. In an illustrative embodiment, a combined heat and power device includes a heating system including: at least one burner; at least one igniter configured to ignite the at least one burner; a fluid motivator assembly including an electrically powered prime mover; and a heat exchanger fluidly couplable to the fluid motivator assembly. At least one thermophotovoltaic converter has a photon emitter and at least one photovoltaic cell, the photon emitter being thermally couplable to the at least one burner, the at least one photovoltaic cell being thermally couplable to the heat exchanger.

Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include combined heating and power modules and combined heat and power devices. In an illustrative embodiment, a combined heat and power device includes a heating system including: at least one burner; at least one igniter configured to ignite the at least one burner; a fluid motivator assembly including an electrically powered prime mover; and a heat exchanger fluidly couplable to the fluid motivator assembly. At least one thermophotovoltaic converter has a photon emitter and at least one photovoltaic cell, the photon emitter being thermally couplable to the at least one burner, the at least one photovoltaic cell being thermally couplable to the heat exchanger.

Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include thermionic energy converters and electronic circuitry for generating pulses for igniting plasma in a hermetic package of a thermionic energy converter. In various embodiments, an illustrative thermionic energy converter includes a hermetic package charged with a non-cesium gas additive. The hermetic package is configured to route into the hermetic package pulses for igniting plasma in the hermetic package. A cesium reservoir is disposed in the hermetic package. A cathode is disposed in the hermetic package and an anode is disposed in the hermetic package.

Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include elements for mitigating electron reflection in a vacuum electronic device, vacuum electronic devices that incorporate elements for mitigating electron reflection, and methods of fabricating elements for reducing reflection of electrons off an electrode. An illustrative electrode assembly includes an electrode. Elements are configured to reduce reflection of electrons off the electrode.

Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include thermionic energy converters with a thermal concentrating hot shell and emitters for thermionic energy converters. In some embodiments, an illustrative thermionic energy converter includes: an emitter electrode; a hot shell configured to concentrate heat flow toward the emitter electrode; a collector electrode; and a cold shell that is thermally isolated from the hot shell.

Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include combined heating and power modules and combined heat and power devices. In an illustrative embodiment, a combined heat and power device includes a heating system including: at least one burner; at least one igniter configured to ignite the at least one burner; a fluid motivator assembly including an electrically powered prime mover; and a heat exchanger fluidly couplable to the fluid motivator assembly. At least one thermionic energy converter has a hot shell and a cold shell, the hot shell being thermally couplable to the at least one burner, the cold shell being thermally couplable to the heat exchanger.

Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include combined heating and power modules and combined heat and power devices. In an illustrative embodiment, a combined heat and power device includes a heating system including: at least one burner; at least one igniter configured to ignite the at least one burner; a fluid motivator assembly including an electrically powered prime mover; and a heat exchanger fluidly couplable to the fluid motivator assembly. At least one thermionic energy converter has a hot shell and a cold shell, the hot shell being thermally couplable to the at least one burner, the cold shell being thermally couplable to the heat exchanger.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include vacuum electronics devices and methods of fabricating a vacuum electronics device. In a non-limiting embodiment, a vacuum electronics device includes: an electrode; a plurality of grid supports disposed on the electrode, each of the plurality of grid supports having a first width; and a plurality of grid lines, each of the plurality of grid lines being supported on an associated one of the plurality of grid supports, each of the plurality of grid lines having a second width that is wider than the first width.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include vacuum electronic devices, methods of operating a vacuum electronic device, and methods of fabricating a vacuum electronic device. In a non-limiting embodiment, a vacuum electronics device includes a cathode and an anode. At least one focus grid is disposed between the cathode and the anode, and the at least one focus grid is physically disconnected from the cathode. The at least one acceleration grid is disposed between the cathode and the anode, and the at least one acceleration grid is further disposed adjacent the at least one focus grid. The at least one acceleration grid is physically disconnected from the cathode.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include vacuum electronics devices and methods of fabricating a vacuum electronics device. In a non-limiting embodiment, a vacuum electronics device includes: an electrode; a plurality of grid supports disposed on the electrode, each of the plurality of grid supports having a first width; and a plurality of grid lines, each of the plurality of grid lines being supported on an associated one of the plurality of grid supports, each of the plurality of grid lines having a second width that is wider than the first width.

Abstract: A system and method for positioning control and management of racing sailboat positions and velocities includes the strategic placement of a global positioning receiver on the sailboat. Global positioning system (GPS) receiver unit receives GPS signals from positioning satellites. Prior to starting a race, the sailboat takes two line shots of the starting line from beyond one or both ends of the starting line. In response to operator selection via a user input interface connected to the GPS receiver, the boat's respective positions at which the two line shots are taken are each recorded by a processor connected to the GPS receiver. The processor calculates the equation of a straight line corresponding to that of the extended starting line, and plots it in an x-y plane. The processor additionally continuously determines the boat's current location, speed and bearing relative to the start line, and plots its current course in the same x-y plane as the starting line.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing prestressed piezoelectric actuators which maximizes output, and increases the precision and efficiency with which the multi-layer actuators are made. Individual layers of the piezoelectric actuators are automatically stacked and registered with respect to each other within press members prior to bonding the layers to each other with a thermoplastic adhesive. Compressive force is applied while heat is conductively transferred from a heating element to the actuator in order to raise the temperature of each of the layers above the melting point of the thermoplastic. The temperature of the heating element is then decreased until the temperature of the actuator layers drops to below the melting point of the thermoplastic adhesive, thereby bonding the layers. Compressive force is then released, and the actuators are removed, further cooled and polarized.

Abstract: A small, lightweight, efficient, quiet electric shaver is provided in which one or more piezoelectric drivers are mechanically coupled to a cutting blade. The cutting action of the blade is generated by the piezoelectric drivers which, when electrically energized, oscillate at a predetermined frequency. The piezoelectric driver is electrically energized by a regenerative drive circuit. Hair shafts, which protrude from the surface to be shaved through a perforated foil member, are sheared at their base by the oscillating action of the blade.

Abstract: A peristaltic piezoelectrically actuated fluid pump including two or more pairs of piezoelectric deformable members that are self-actuated, a flexible hose member, a pump chamber, inlet and outlet ports for communicating the pump chamber with the exterior of the flexible hose member, valves for opening and closing the ports, and a power supply is provided. The diaphragm members may include a prestressed piezoelectric element which is durable, inexpensive and lightweight as compared with diaphragm members of prior diaphragm pumps of comparable discharge capacity, and is actuated via electrical signals from an outside power source. Each pair of piezoelectric diaphragm members is actuated out of phase with the other(s) so as to allow fluid to be pumped through the flexible hose member peristaltically.

Abstract: A piezoelectrically actuated fluid pump including a pump housing, a pump chamber, inlet and outlet ports for communicating the pump chamber with the exterior of the pump housing, valves for opening and closing the ports, a pre-stressed piezoelectric diaphragm member which is self-actuated, a piston member, and a power source is provided. The diaphragm member includes a prestressed piezoelectric element which is durable, inexpensive and lightweight as compared with diaphragm members of prior diaphragm pumps of comparable discharge capacity, and is actuated via electrical signals from an outside power source. The diaphragm member drives the piston member. No exterior mechanisms are necessary for driving the diaphragm member.

Abstract: A piezoelectrically actuated fluid pump including a pump housing, a pump chamber, inlet and outlet ports for communicating the pump chamber with the exterior of the pump housing, valving means for opening and closing the ports, two pre-stressed piezoelectric diaphragm members which are self-actuated, and energizing means is provided. The diaphragm members include a prestressed piezoelectric element which is durable, inexpensive and lightweight as compared with diaphragm members of prior diaphragm pumps of comparable discharge capacity, and is actuated via electrical signals from an outside power source. No exterior mechanical means for driving the diaphragm members is necessary. A modification is disclosed in which a central computer independently controls the phase angle of oscillation of the two diaphragm members, providing precise flow rate control.