Abstract: A combustion pressure sensor has a first diaphragm adjacent a combustion region for deflecting in response to the magnitude of adjacent pressure. A second diaphragm is spaced from the first diaphragm and deflects as a function of the deflection of the first diaphragm. The second diaphragm is adapted to generate a signal indicative of the deflection of the second diaphragm. A force transmitting means between the first and second diaphragms transmits movement of the first diaphragm to the second diaphragm and reduces heat transfer from the first diaphragm to the second diaphragm.

Abstract: Thermoelectric generator devices and methods using, for example, alkali metal as a working fluid are disclosed. In operation, elemental alkali metal is ionized on the inside of an electrolyte tube to alkali metal cations, reconverted outside the tube to elemental alkali metal at a porous electrode, vaporized into a furnace zone in vapor communication with the porous electrode, discharged hydrodynamically from the furnace zone to a cooling zone, and collected as a liquid for return to the inside of the electrolyte tube. Essentially isothermal series electrical connection within the devices provides a means for reduction of heat conduction losses.