Abstract: A solar energy reflector useful in space-oriented apparatus for reflecting the rays of the sun to a panel carrying solar cells. The solar cells generate direct current power for conversion into microwave energy for transmission to the earth or other spacecraft. The reflector comprises a rotating mirror and a fixed mirror arranged to reflect the solar energy rays to the solar cell panel continuously.

Abstract: Solar energy is collected by collector means supported in space by geostationary satellite and directed to an air buoyant intermediate platform at a position within the upper atmosphere. The laser energy is there converted to microwave energy and beamed down to earth.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed including a compact thermionic generator formed with an outer cathode cylinder and an axially concentric inner anode cylinder. The cylinders are sealed and evacuated and provided with external electrical connections leading to the cathode and anode cylinders. A thermoelectric generator formed of a folded length of thermocouples is nested within the anode cylinder with respective ends thermically and electrically coupled to the cathode and anode cylinders. Sufficient heat applied to the outer cylinder causes the thermionic emission from the cathode to anode cylinders to be enhanced by the positive potential applied to the anode cylinder from the internal thermoelectric generator which is also responsive to the applied heat to generate the positive potential relative to the potential of the cathode cylinder. A generator system is also disclosed in which a pair of these generators is interconnected by a solid state switching circuit to an output load via intermediate charging capacitors.

Abstract: A very thin insulator having a dipole structure such as a dielectric material having ferroelectric, pyroelectric and or thermodielectric properties, is used as the insulator insulating an electrode of an electrode pair from a semiconductor body sandwiched between said electrode pair forming a MIS structure. Radiation and solar energy conversion systems based on establishment of an inversion layer by the thermally released bound charges of a polarizable dielectric layer or an electret and irradation of the semiconductor to separate the electron-hole pairs and subsequent collection of mobile carriers. Since there is no metalurgical junction, the generated carriers are not junction limited therefore the generated voltage could be higher than in an ordinary junction solar cell and could also be, an alternating current voltage which can be transformed or rectified.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for generating electrical current in which electron beams are discharged through a succession of elongate electron beam channels arranged in a parallel array while a magnetic field is imposed on the array with flux directed perpendicularly to the longitudinal axes of the channels. Beams are directed successively through channels spaced one from another in a direction generally perpendicularly to both the axes of the channels and the magnetic flux. Electrical energy for operating the apparatus is derived from a suitable low current source such as a photovoltaic or solar cell.

Abstract: A system for beaming solar energy from space to an earth location and putting it to useful work either as heat or light energy, or by converting it into some other form of energy such as steam or electrical power. In the system illustrated, a receiver satellite is in polar orbit and a relay satellite is in equatorial orbit, rotating with the earth and therefore stationary with respect to earth location. Solar energy is collected by the receiver satellite through an array of parabolic collectors and focused by a series of mirrors onto a coherent radiation energy generator, preferably a laser beam generator. The laser beam is directed by a mirror to another mirror on the relay satellite which redirects it to a selected earth location. Alternatively, the relay satellite may convert the laser beam to a maser beam to better penetrate clouds, smoke and haze at the earth location.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for a thermoelectric generator which converts heat directly from a heat source into electrical energy. This is done by applying an external electromotive force (emf) across a heated semiconductor to produce the drifting of electrons and thereby producing a current in the semiconductor which can be used in a load. Operation is possible at maximum power, maximum efficiency near unity, or at high combined power and efficiency. When used separately or in combination with a concentrating lens or combination of a heat absorber and heat exchanger there is provided a system for converting the sun's energy to electricity. When used in combination with a heat absorber and heat exchanger there is provided a system for converting fossil, nuclear, and geothermal heat energy to electricity.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for converting heat to electricity wherein a non-porous dielectric barrier layer is placed on a conducting member, a cathode is placed on the barrier layer, a grommet is placed thereon and an anode is mounted on the grommet in spaced proximity with the barrier layer and the cathode to define a chamber. The anode and the cathode are electrically connected across a load by external circuit means. Gas is then admitted to the chamber and maintained at a desired pressure. DC voltage is then applied across the above electrodes and the conducting member to establish an electric field therebetween and heat is applied to the conducting member to cause current to flow in the external circuit.In another embodiment, porous dielectric material is placed in the cavity to enhance such current flow.

Abstract: A solar radiant energy concentrating system for concentrating solar radiation on a radiant to electric power thermionic conversion transducer. The radiated energy concentration system utilizes multiple reflector units that collectively together or selectively less than all reflectors as an intensity control are settable to reflect solar radiation onto a multi-surfaced concentrator down onto a focal area encompassing the target area for reflection from the concentrator to the transducer input. The energy concentration is varied in the ratio range of from 20,000 to 1 up to 250,000 to 1. Reflector units are set to compensate for the constantly varying declination angle of the earth toward the sun, step tracks the sun compensating for daily rotation of the earth West to East on its axis up to a full 360.degree. depending on latitude North or South of the equator.

Abstract: Electromagnetic radiation is converted to usable power in the form of electrical current by means of a plurality of transducing cavities having a wall structure that is inclined inwardly to receive impinging radiation and includes potential barrier strips each having different conduction electron densities which are also different from the conduction electron density of the material constituting the wall structure of each cavity; each potential barrier strip extends from the mouth of the cavity to the base thereof and, at the mouth, is connected to a conductor having a preselected conduction electron density whereby radiation impinging on a cavity will induce current flow which will be rectified across the potential barriers; the cavities are connected in parallel so that current can be delivered to a load connected across the conductors.

Abstract: A thermoelectric arrangement comprises a thermoelement built up of element limbs of strips, discs or rings formed from plates foils or layers, means for moving the strips discs or rings relative to each other and in touch contact at least at one print to form a bundle of alternate p/n and n/p thermoelectrical junctions and means, for enabling an electrical current to flow through the bundle perpendicular to the surface of the strips, discs or rings.

Abstract: An installation for feeding the electrical power supply system of motor vehicles which contains a generator, a battery as accumulator, and several loads; a thermionic converter operable by means of the fuel of the motor vehicle is thereby provided as generator.

Abstract: A radiant energy to electrical power thermionic conversion system using a transducer structure with very closely spaced cathode and anode elements in a vacuum to minimize space charge buildup and to optimize cross transfer of electrons from cathode to anode. The materials chosen are for a high work function high melt temperature cathode, tungsten for example with a work function of 4.52 volts, and an anode with a relatively low work function, typically a silver-oxide substrate with a coating of cesium as an anode face deposited on a copper heat sink conductor yielding, with the anode face, a work function approximating 0.75 volts.

Abstract: An electricity generator which produces electrical energy from the random Brownian movement of molecules in a gas, and the uneven distribution of thermal energy in the different molecules of the gas, which is at an overall average uniform temperature. A plurality of sets of thermocouples are mounted on a surface in direct contact with the atmosphere, or a gas in a reservoir, with each thermocouple set consisting of a junction of molecular size of two dissimilar metals, and with each thermocouple set joined through a rectifier a similar thermocouple set. Alternatively, a plurality of separate molecular size metal anodes may be mounted on a surface with pairs of anodes converted by rectifiers to the output circuit.

Abstract: The invention described herein is an orbiting solar powered, energy collecting, storage and transmitting station. Initially, a large array of solar cells collects and transforms radiant solar energy into moderate amounts of electrical current. This electrical current is fed into a large superconducting coil where it is gradually built up to very high values. The electrical energy is thereby converted and stored in the resulting magnetic field. This magnetic energy is extracted by drawing off the current at very high rates and used to energize a laser or microwave generator for wireless power transmission. Since the discharge of the superconducting coil can proceed at rates many times greater than the charging rate, the resulting beamed power can, over short time intervals, be many times greater than the rate of solar radiation falling on the solar array. Alternatively, the energy can be stored gradually in rotating flywheels for fast rate beaming.

Abstract: A switching circuit, typically a thyristor bridge, is connected to a source of waste energy. The source can be waste energy occurring as a by-product of man's activities such as waste heat energy, stored water, or the potential mechanical energy of elevated objects. The source provides d.c. power either directly or through conversion. The switching circuit is also connected to an a.c. load and across a.c. power mains energizing the load. The switching circuit is operable to periodically connect the waste energy source to the a.c. load in a power supplying manner. The a.c. mains impart suitable voltage and frequency characteristics to the electrical power so supplied. In the event the supplied power exceeds the power required by the a.c. load, the difference is taken by the a.c. power mains.

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.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a new thermoelectric generator, the operation of which is due to a new effect that takes place in a closed chain uniformly heated at an optimum temperature, the chain consisting of a semi-conductor comprises between two different metals the difference of the work-function of which are related to the value of the optimum temperature quantitatively, through a certain formula given in the specification. For maximum electric power delivered, the concentration of the holes into the semiconductor must be of the order of 10.sup.18 n/cm.sup.3, and the concentration of electrons into the same of the order of 10.sup.8 n/cm.sup.3, at 20.degree. C. Such a chain has in the absence of any temperature gradient, an efficiency near unity.

Abstract: A radiation-to-electrical energy converter in which transmission of radiation from a radiation source is controlled by radiation gates to alternate the build up of positive potential on a pair of radiant energy absorbers and in which the positive potentials on the absorbers are employed to produce an alternating current. The radiation gates are liquid crystals which are specially constructed to pass radiation when in an un-energized state.

Abstract: A thermal converter for transmitting electric energy fluctuations of small circuits at a higher temperature across a thermal barrier to small circuits at a lower temperature for high efficiency conversion of the electric energy fluctuations to electric power. Apparatus and circuits are disclosed which can transfer with a high coefficient of performance heat from the lower temperature circuits to the higher temperature circuits.

Abstract: A drive arrangement for the auxiliary aggregates of a motor vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine which includes an electrical power supply system with a generator and a battery; only those auxiliary aggregates which have a power requirement dependent on the rotational speeds are thereby driven from the internal combustion engine as heretofore whereas all auxiliary aggregates which have a power requirement independent of the rotational speed are driven in common from an electrical motor operating at substantially constant rotational speed and fed from the electrical power supply system; a thermionic converter operable by means of the fuel of the motor vehicle is thereby provided as generator.

Abstract: An alarm transmitter device includes a storage element which stores electrical charge and which energizes an output transmitting circuit upon the occurrence of an alarm condition. To maintain the storage element at full charge or in ready standby mode, a trickle charging circuit is provided which includes an energy conversion device for converting solar energy, broadcast electromagnetic energy, heat energy or the like into an electrical current suitable for trickle charging the storage element. After the storage element is substantially discharged, subsequent to an occurrence of an alarm condition, a battery or other source of electrical energy is connectable to terminals connected to the storage element for initially rapidly recharging the storage element to the fully charged state.

Abstract: A compensating circuit for a cold junction of a thermocouple includes a sign inverting amplifier, a power source and a summing amplifier. A thermo-electromotive force of the thermocouple, the output of the sign inverting amplifier and the voltage of the power source are applied to one input terminal of the summing amplifier through resistors. An output corresponding to the temperature of the hot junction of the thermocouple is obtained from the output terminal of the summing amplifier.

Abstract: A conversion means converts the energy available from a source, such as the wind or sun, into a corresponding amount of d.c. electrical power. A switching circuit, typically a thyristor bridge, is connected between the conversion means and an a.c. load and across a.c. power mains energizing the load. The switching circuit is operable to periodically connect the conversion means to the a.c. load in a power supplying manner. The a.c. mains impart suitable voltage and frequency characteristics to the electrical power so supplied. In the event the supplied power exceeds the power required by the a.c. load, the difference is taken by the a.c. power mains.

Abstract: For particle separation, a method and apparatus for using a wide angle radially expanding vapor of a particle mixture. In particular, selective ionization of one isotope type in the particle mixture is produced in a multichamber separator and the ionized isotope type is accelerated out of the path of the vapor expansion for separate collection.FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to isotope separation by selective ionization and in particular to a separation system making efficient use of an isotope source.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONNearly all fission reactions utilizing the uranium isotope, U.sub.235, require a concentration of the U.sub.235 isotope greater than in the naturally occurring state. The process of enrichment whereby the concentration of U.sub.235 in natural or depleted uranium is raised to a desired level has been achieved in the past by many techniques which generally operate to separate U.sub.235 from the other uranium isotopes, chiefly U.sub.

Abstract: Solid state spaced-oriented means convert solar radiation into microwave energy which is amplified and beamed to earth as a source of electrical power. A large number of semiconductor devices operating in the current multiplication region are irradiated by single mode coherent light beam generation means which is pumped by solar energy. A neodymium yittrium aluminum iron garnet laser or CW gallium arsenide junction diode laser mode-locked at a predetermined microwave frequency, such as 3,000 MHz provide for generation of a light beam. The generated current is directly proportional to the radiant energy and is coupled from the semiconductor device array to antenna means for transmission to earth stations for conversion into low frequency electrical energy.