Abstract: A compact high power density thermoelectric generator for producing electric power from a hot fluid heat source. In preferred embodiments the HPD TEGs provide a wide range of electric power generators with a large range of outputs utilizing a modular approach featuring: (1) a basic building TEG block which can be combined with a number of the same type of building blocks to provide (2) a basic TEG section and a number of these basic TEG sections can be combined to provide this wide range of (3) HPD TEG systems. In these preferred embodiments the heat sources could include the exhaust of a truck, car boat, and other generators engines.

Abstract: A self-powered food heater. The food heater includes a burner with an electric fuel pump and an electric blower, a fire box, a water tank and electronic controls. The food heater also includes a set of thermoelectric modules compressed against a heat transfer surface of the tank. Hot exhaust leaving the burner enters the fire box. Some of the heat from the fire box passes through the thermoelectric modules generating sufficient electric power to power the fuel pump and the blower. Water in the tank is heated to its boiling temperature. Heat from the boiling water heats food also contained in the tank. In a preferred embodiment special compression frames provide substantially uniform compression, within desired ranges, of the modules between a portion of the heat transfer surface of the tank and a module cover plate.

Abstract: A self-powered space heater. At least one thermoelectric module is sandwiched between a hot surface of a combustion chamber of a fluid fired space heater and a room air-cooled heat exchanger for transferring heat from the space heater to room air. A blower circulates room air through the heat exchanger for the dual purpose of heating the room air and also removing heat from the heat exchanger. In a preferred embodiment two thermoelectric modules are utilized in a diesel fuel fired space heater to provide heated air for the cab of a diesel truck. Spherical self-alignment washers are used in a compression frame to apply uniform compression force to both hot and cold sides of the thermoelectric modules. The two modules provide about 25 Watts output that is more than sufficient power to operate the heater that requires about 20 Watts. Extra power can be used for other purposes such as battery charging.

Abstract: A combustion device comprises a porous distributive layer, a combustion chamber disposed downstream of the porous distributive layer, and an emissive matrix in an active flame zone in the combustion chamber of the device downstream from the porous distributive layer. The emissive matrix comprises a three dimensional matrix structure made of heat absorbing, heat radiating, and heat conducting bodies. The device includes a blower for delivering a fuel/oxidizer mixture at sufficiently elevated pressure to an upstream face of the porous distributive layer to distribute the active flame zone substantially throughout the emissive matrix.

Abstract: A system for thermally stimulating a laser emissive device comprises a thermal generating device, a photon emissive device that is capable of generating photons upon exposure to thermal energy, a laser emissive source, and an optical waveguide interposed between the photon emissive source and laser emissive source to direct photons to the laser emissive source to effect photon stimulation of the same. The waveguide may be in the form of a light pipe comprising the photon emissive material, which material is disposed within the thermal energy source. The photon emissive material is selected to produce a specific wavelength of photons that are collected within and directed through the optical waveguide to a laser rod. The photons routed to the laser rod stimulate a specific wavelength laser emission. If desired, the system can also be used with more than one target, e.g., more than one laser device, or a photovoltaic cell to produce electricity.

Abstract: A thermophotovoltaic electric generating system provides high thermal to electric conversion efficiency by use of a sequence of matched radiation emitters and radiation collectors. The radiation emitters comprises ceramic materials which emit thermally stimulated quantum radiation in at least one characteristic wavelength bands when heated above a threshold temperature. By employing a sequence of selective emitters such as rare earth metal oxide, more than 50% of the radiation emitted from the surface can be concentrated in two or more characteristic wavelength bands. A sequence of corresponding photovoltaic device selectively absorbing and efficiently converting the radiation at the characteristic wavelength bands for high electric conversion efficiency in each zone, respectively. An overlying layer of the photovoltaic collector selectively absorbs at least one of such characteristic wavelength bands.

Abstract: A multilayer matrix burner which has exceptionally low NO.sub.x emissions can be operated over a broad turndown range. The burner is, in effect, a three-dimensional matrix of spaced apart emissive layers. There is a first three-dimensional porous layer which acts to distribute a fuel/air mixture. There is a wider gap (which may be adjustable) between the distributive layer and one or more two-dimensional porous emissive layers. An exemplary emissive layer is a refractory wire screen. Preferably, there are multiple such emissive layers with a narrower gap between successive layers. Preferably, the porosity increases in each successive layer downstream from the preceding layer. This arrangement provides a stable flame wherein most of the combustion occurs adjacent to successive incandescent emissive layers. Preferably the successive layers in the downstream direction have a large open area for transmitting radiant energy from preceding emissive layers. Such high intensity burners, e.g. 1,500,000 BTU/h.multidot.