Patents Assigned to Spark Thermionics, Inc.
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Publication number: 20250029744Abstract: A thermionic energy conversion system, preferably including one or more electron collectors, interfacial layers, encapsulation, and/or electron emitters. A method for manufacturing the thermionic energy conversion system. A method of operation for a thermionic energy conversion system, preferably including receiving power, emitting electrons, and receiving the emitted electrons, and optionally including convectively transferring heat.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2024Publication date: January 23, 2025Applicant: Spark Thermionics, IncInventors: Kyana Van Houten, Lucas Heinrich Hess, Jared William Schwede, Felix Schmitt
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Patent number: 12165779Abstract: A thermionic energy conversion system, preferably including one or more electron collectors, interfacial layers, encapsulation, and/or electron emitters. A method for manufacturing the thermionic energy conversion system. A method of operation for a thermionic energy conversion system, preferably including receiving power, emitting electrons, and receiving the emitted electrons, and optionally including convectively transferring heat.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2024Date of Patent: December 10, 2024Assignee: Spark Thermionics, Inc.Inventors: Kyana Van Houten, Lucas Heinrich Hess, Jared William Schwede, Felix Schmitt
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Publication number: 20240379256Abstract: A thermionic energy conversion system, preferably including one or more electron collectors, interfacial layers, encapsulation, and/or electron emitters. A method for manufacturing the thermionic energy conversion system. A method of operation for a thermionic energy conversion system, preferably including receiving power, emitting electrons, and receiving the emitted electrons, and optionally including convectively transferring heat.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2024Publication date: November 14, 2024Applicant: Spark Thermionics, Inc.Inventors: Kyana Van Houten, Lucas Heinrich Hess, Jared William Schwede, Felix Schmitt
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Patent number: 12102005Abstract: A thermionic energy converter, preferably including an anode and a cathode. An anode of a thermionic energy converter, preferably including an n-type semiconductor, one or more supplemental layers, and an electrical contact. A method for work function reduction and/or thermionic energy conversion, preferably including inputting thermal energy to a thermionic energy converter, illuminating an anode of the thermionic energy converter, thereby preferably reducing a work function of the anode, and extracting electrical power from the system.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2022Date of Patent: September 24, 2024Assignee: Spark Thermionics, Inc.Inventors: Jared William Schwede, Lucas Heinrich Hess
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Patent number: 12050008Abstract: A burner system, preferably including input plumbing, a combustion region, and an exhaust section. In some embodiments, the burner system can include, be attached to, be configured to couple with, and/or be otherwise associated with a thermionic energy converter (TEC). A method of burner system operation, preferably including operating the burner system in a combustion mode and optionally including operating a TEC.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2022Date of Patent: July 30, 2024Assignee: Spark Thermionics, Inc.Inventors: Felix Schmitt, Jared William Schwede, David Rich, Tyler Sandberg
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Patent number: 11935667Abstract: A thermionic energy conversion system, preferably including one or more electron collectors, interfacial layers, encapsulation, and/or electron emitters. A method for manufacturing the thermionic energy conversion system. A method of operation for a thermionic energy conversion system, preferably including receiving power, emitting electrons, and receiving the emitted electrons, and optionally including convectively transferring heat.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2021Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: Spark Thermionics, Inc.Inventors: Kyana Van Houten, Lucas Heinrich Hess, Jared William Schwede, Felix Schmitt
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Patent number: 11791143Abstract: A small-gap device system, preferably including two or more electrodes and one or more spacers maintaining a gap between two or more of the electrodes. A spacer for a small-gap device system, preferably including a plurality of legs defining a mesh structure. A method of spacer and/or small-gap device fabrication, preferably including: defining lateral features, depositing spacer material, selectively removing spacer material, separating the spacer from a fabrication substrate, and/or assembling the small-gap device.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2021Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignees: Spark Thermionics, Inc., The Trustees of the University of PennsylvaniaInventors: Jared William Schwede, Igor Bargatin, Samuel M. Nicaise, Chen Lin, John Provine
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Patent number: 11791142Abstract: A small-gap device system, preferably including two or more electrodes and one or more spacers maintaining a gap between two or more of the electrodes. A spacer for a small-gap device system, preferably including a plurality of legs defining a mesh structure. A method of spacer and/or small-gap device fabrication, preferably including: defining lateral features, depositing spacer material, selectively removing spacer material, separating the spacer from a fabrication substrate, and/or assembling the small-gap device.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2021Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignees: Spark Thermionics, Inc., The Trustees of the University of PennsylvaniaInventors: Matthew Campbell, Mohsen Azadi, Kyana Van Houten, Jared William Schwede, Samuel M. Nicaise, Igor Bargatin
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Patent number: 11788734Abstract: A system for combined heat and electric power generation, preferably including a heat reservoir and one or more electric generators, each preferably including a heat source and an energy converter. A method for combined heat and electric power generation, preferably including activating an electric generator, deactivating the electric generator, and/or providing heat from a heat reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2021Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: Spark Thermionics, Inc.Inventors: Adam G. Lorimer, Jared William Schwede
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Patent number: 11688593Abstract: A system for thermionic energy generation, preferably including one or more thermionic energy converters, and optionally including one or more power inputs, airflow modules, and/or electrical loads. A thermionic energy converter, preferably including an emitter module, a collector module, and/or a seal, and optionally including a spacer. The thermionic energy converter preferably defines a chamber and/or a heating cavity. A method for thermionic energy generation, preferably including receiving power, emitting electrons, and/or receiving the emitted electrons, and optionally including convectively transferring heat.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2022Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: Spark Thermionics, Inc.Inventors: Felix Schmitt, Jared William Schwede, Adam Lorimer
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Patent number: 11552233Abstract: A thermionic energy converter, preferably including an anode and a cathode. An anode of a thermionic energy converter, preferably including an n-type semiconductor, one or more supplemental layers, and an electrical contact. A method for work function reduction and/or thermionic energy conversion, preferably including inputting thermal energy to a thermionic energy converter, illuminating an anode of the thermionic energy converter, thereby preferably reducing a work function of the anode, and extracting electrical power from the system.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2019Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: Spark Thermionics, Inc.Inventors: Jared William Schwede, Lucas Heinrich Hess
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Patent number: 11430644Abstract: A system for thermionic energy generation, preferably including one or more thermionic energy converters, and optionally including one or more power inputs, airflow modules, and/or electrical loads. A thermionic energy converter, preferably including an emitter module, a collector module, and/or a seal, and optionally including a spacer. The thermionic energy converter preferably defines a chamber and/or a heating cavity. A method for thermionic energy generation, preferably including receiving power, emitting electrons, and/or receiving the emitted electrons, and optionally including convectively transferring heat.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2020Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: Spark Thermionics, Inc.Inventors: Felix Schmitt, Jared William Schwede, Adam Lorimer
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Patent number: 11264144Abstract: A thermionic energy conversion system, preferably including one or more electron collectors, interfacial layers, encapsulation, and/or electron emitters. A method for manufacturing the thermionic energy conversion system. A method of operation for a thermionic energy conversion system, preferably including receiving power, emitting electrons, and receiving the emitted electrons, and optionally including convectively transferring heat.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2021Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: Spark Thermionics, Inc.Inventors: Kyana Van Houten, Lucas Heinrich Hess, Jared William Schwede, Felix Schmitt
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Patent number: 11170984Abstract: A small-gap device system, preferably including two or more electrodes and one or more spacers maintaining a gap between two or more of the electrodes. A spacer for a small-gap device system, preferably including a plurality of legs defining a mesh structure. A method of spacer and/or small-gap device fabrication, preferably including: defining lateral features, depositing spacer material, selectively removing spacer material, separating the spacer from a fabrication substrate, and/or assembling the small-gap device.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2018Date of Patent: November 9, 2021Assignees: Spark Thermionics, Inc., The Trustees of the University of PennsylvaniaInventors: Jared William Schwede, Igor Bargatin, Samuel M. Nicaise, Chen Lin, John Provine
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Patent number: 11133757Abstract: A system for combined heat and electric power generation, preferably including a heat reservoir and one or more electric generators, each preferably including a heat source and an energy converter. A method for combined heat and electric power generation, preferably including activating an electric generator, deactivating the electric generator, and/or providing heat from a heat reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2021Date of Patent: September 28, 2021Assignee: Spark Thermionics, Inc.Inventors: Adam Lorimer, Jared William Schwede
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Patent number: 10699886Abstract: A system for thermionic energy generation, preferably including one or more thermionic energy converters, and optionally including one or more power inputs, airflow modules, and/or electrical loads. A thermionic energy converter, preferably including an emitter module, a collector module, and/or a seal, and optionally including a spacer. The thermionic energy converter preferably defines a chamber and/or a heating cavity. A method for thermionic energy generation, preferably including receiving power, emitting electrons, and/or receiving the emitted electrons, and optionally including convectively transferring heat.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2019Date of Patent: June 30, 2020Assignee: Spark Thermionics, Inc.Inventors: Felix Schmitt, Jared William Schwede, Adam Lorimer