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: There is provided a method and a system for converting solar energy into electricity by means of a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) generator. The method comprises providing an organic liquid reservoir having an ejector nozzle positioned at the inlet port of a MHD generator, providing a liquid alloy reservoir in fluid communication with said inlet port, and heating said organic liquid to its boiling temperature by means of solar energy absorbers so as to form high pressure vapors of the organic liquid adapted to propel the liquid alloy through said MHD-generator, whereby solar heat energy is converted into mechanical energy and said mechanical energy is converted into electrical energy in said 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: A system in which the characteristics of a microwave power transmission beam are controlled in accordance with power distribution profiles altered due to the detected presence or entrance of an object into the beam which causes changes that are perceived in various received, reflected and scattered power distribution profiles resulting over various receiving elements of the system. An analysis of these changes is made, the results of which are used to reshape, dim or douse the power beam in accordance with predetermined criteria. Additionally, a "FAIL SAFE" condition is obtained by employing a beam penetration tester, whose function is to repeatedly test the correct performance of the beam intrusion detecting scheme by presenting a minimal threshold scattering or absorbing cross section while crossing the power beam. If the beam penetration tester is undetected by the beam safety system, then the beam control is preconditioned to turn off the power beam.

Abstract: A permanent magnet armature is reciprocated between electromagnetic coil assemblies in a motor chamber that is evacuated and maintained at a cryogenic temperature by circulation of a cryogenic cooling medium through pressure sealed, coil enclosing spaces of the coil assemblies. Shock absorbers absorb the thrust applied by the armature to the coil assemblies at the ends of its stroke. The armature drives pumps for transmitting motive energy externally of an insulated enclosure within which the power plant is housed.

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: In a thermionic converter, means are provided for coupling an electrical lead to at least one of the electrodes thereof. The means include a bus bar and a plurality of distributed leads coupled to the bus bar each of which penetrates through one electrode and are then coupled to the other electrode of the converter in spaced apart relation.

Abstract: A method of forming a microscopically texturized surface on a crystalline semiconductor material is disclosed which method includes the use of a radioactive source for uniformly irradiating the surface. The radioactive source includes a plane surface having a uniform distribution of radioactive material thereon In one arrangement the radioactive source surface area is at least the size of the polished crystalline semiconductor surface to be texturized, and the radioactive source is positioned closely adjacent the polished surface for a predetermined time period for uniform irradiation of the same. If desired, the radioactive source and crystalline surface may be relatively movable during irradiation of the surface, in which case the source may be in the form of an elongated strip of sufficient length to extend beyond opposite edges of the polished surface area to be texturized.

Abstract: This disclosure is related to electrical generators which utilize heating and cooling of separate points in a closed circuit ferrofluid system to generate electrical power directly from heat energy. The characteristic of ferrofluids to experience rapid change in their magnetic properties with temperature is utilized by placing a magnet around the circuit to create a self-pumping action of the ferrofluid through a solenoid to generate electric power.

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: A thermionic device for converting nuclear energy into electrical energy comprising a tubular anode spaced from and surrounding a cylindrical cathode, the cathode having an outer emitting surface of ruthenium, and nuclear fuel on the inner cylindrical surface. The nuclear fuel is a ceramic composition of fissionable material in a metal matrix. An axial void is provided to collect and contain fission product gases.

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.