Abstract

A customizable thin plate fuel form and reactor core therefor are disclosed. The thin plate fuel will comprise a fuel material embedded within a matrix material, with the entire unit having a coating. The thin plate fuel may be flat or curved and will have flow channels formed within at least the top surface of the fuel plate. The structure of the thin plate fuel will make it easier for coating with Tungsten or any other suitable material that will help contain any byproducts, prevent reactions with the working fluid, and potentially provide structural support to the thin plate fuel.

IPC Classes  ?

• G21C 3/36 - Assemblies of plate-shaped fuel elements or coaxial tubes
• B64G 1/40 - Arrangements or adaptations of propulsion systems
• G21C 3/20 - Constructional details - Details of the construction within the casing with non-active interlayer between casing and active material
• G21C 3/62 - Ceramic fuel
• G21C 3/64 - Ceramic dispersion fuel, e.g. cermet
• G21C 5/12 - Moderator or core structure; Selection of materials for use as moderator characterised by composition, e.g. the moderator containing additional substances which ensure improved heat resistance of the moderator
• G21C 5/16 - Shape of its constituent parts
• G21C 5/18 - Moderator or core structure; Selection of materials for use as moderator characterised by the provision of more than one active zone
• G21C 15/06 - Arrangement or disposition of passages in which heat is transferred to the coolant, e.g. for coolant circulation through the supports of the fuel elements from fissile or breeder material in fuel elements

Abstract

A thermoelectric converter including a thermoelectric generator and a radiation source. The thermoelectric generator includes a hot source, a cold source, n-type material, and p-type material. The radiation source emits ionizing radiation that increases electrical conductivity. Also detailed is a method of using radiation to reach high efficiency with a thermoelectric converter that includes providing a thermoelectric generator and a radiation source, with the thermoelectric generator including a hot source, a cold source, n-type material, and p-type material, and emitting ionizing radiation with the radiation source to increase the electrical conductivity which strips electrons in the n-type material, the p-type material, or both the n-type material and p-type material from their nuclei with the electrons then free to move within the material.

IPC Classes  ?

• H10N 10/13 - Thermoelectric devices comprising a junction of dissimilar materials, i.e. devices exhibiting Seebeck or Peltier effects operating with only the Peltier or Seebeck effects characterised by the heat-exchanging means at the junction
• H10N 10/17 - Thermoelectric devices comprising a junction of dissimilar materials, i.e. devices exhibiting Seebeck or Peltier effects operating with only the Peltier or Seebeck effects characterised by the structure or configuration of the cell or thermocouple forming the device
• H10N 10/855 - Thermoelectric active materials comprising inorganic compositions comprising compounds containing boron, carbon, oxygen or nitrogen

Abstract

A thermoelectric converter including a thermoelectric generator and a radiation source. The thermoelectric generator includes a hot source, a cold source, n-type material, and p-type material. The radiation source emits ionizing radiation that increases electrical conductivity. Also detailed is a method of using radiation to reach high efficiency with a thermoelectric converter that includes providing a thermoelectric generator and a radiation source, with the thermoelectric generator including a hot source, a cold source, n-type material, and p-type material, and emitting ionizing radiation with the radiation source to increase the electrical conductivity which strips electrons in the n-type material, the p-type material, or both the n-type material and p-type material from their nuclei with the electrons then free to move within the material.

IPC Classes  ?

• H10N 10/13 - Thermoelectric devices comprising a junction of dissimilar materials, i.e. devices exhibiting Seebeck or Peltier effects operating with only the Peltier or Seebeck effects characterised by the heat-exchanging means at the junction
• H10N 10/17 - Thermoelectric devices comprising a junction of dissimilar materials, i.e. devices exhibiting Seebeck or Peltier effects operating with only the Peltier or Seebeck effects characterised by the structure or configuration of the cell or thermocouple forming the device
• H10N 10/855 - Thermoelectric active materials comprising inorganic compositions comprising compounds containing boron, carbon, oxygen or nitrogen

Abstract

A thermoelectric cooler including a thermoelectric junction and a radiation source. The thermoelectric cooler includes n-type material, p-type material, and an electrical power source. The radiation source emits ionizing radiation that increases electrical conductivity of the n and p type materials. Also detailed is a method of using radiation to reach high coefficient of performance (COP) values with a thermoelectric cooler that includes providing a thermoelectric cooler and a radiation source, with the thermoelectric cooler including an n-type material, p-type material, an electrical power source, and emitting ionizing radiation with the radiation source to increase the electrical conductivity which strips electrons from the n-type material, the p-type material, or both the n-type material and p-type material from their nuclei with the electrons then free to move within the material.

IPC Classes  ?

• H10N 10/13 - Thermoelectric devices comprising a junction of dissimilar materials, i.e. devices exhibiting Seebeck or Peltier effects operating with only the Peltier or Seebeck effects characterised by the heat-exchanging means at the junction
• H10N 10/857 - Thermoelectric active materials comprising compositions changing continuously or discontinuously inside the material
• B64G 1/16 - Extraterrestrial cars

Abstract

A thermoelectric cooler including a thermoelectric junction and a radiation source. The thermoelectric cooler includes n-type material, p-type material, and an electrical power source. The radiation source emits ionizing radiation that increases electrical conductivity of the n and p type materials. Also detailed is a method of using radiation to reach high coefficient of performance (COP) values with a thermoelectric cooler that includes providing a thermoelectric cooler and a radiation source, with the thermoelectric cooler including an n-type material, p-type material, an electrical power source, and emitting ionizing radiation with the radiation source to increase the electrical conductivity which strips electrons from the n-type material, the p-type material, or both the n-type material and p-type material from their nuclei with the electrons then free to move within the material.

IPC Classes  ?

• H10N 10/13 - Thermoelectric devices comprising a junction of dissimilar materials, i.e. devices exhibiting Seebeck or Peltier effects operating with only the Peltier or Seebeck effects characterised by the heat-exchanging means at the junction
• H10N 10/857 - Thermoelectric active materials comprising compositions changing continuously or discontinuously inside the material
• B64G 1/16 - Extraterrestrial cars

Abstract

ThermaSat? propulsion system uses water as a safe and non-explosive propellant, and which is unpressurized at liftoff. Utilizing solar thermal propulsion, the compact and efficient capacitor heats water to steam to produce high thrust and total impulse. The advanced optical system allows for the thermal capacitor to charge through solar power alone with no protruding concentrators or power draw from the main bus. Additional solar panels, body mounted to the ThermaSat, provide auxiliary heating of the thermal capacitor when not directly incident to sunlight to promote non- sun pointing operations.

IPC Classes  ?

• B64G 1/40 - Arrangements or adaptations of propulsion systems
• B64G 1/10 - Artificial satellites; Systems of such satellites; Interplanetary vehicles

Abstract

ThermaSat™ propulsion system uses water as a safe and non-explosive propellant, and which is unpressurized at liftoff. Utilizing solar thermal propulsion, the compact and efficient capacitor heats water to steam to produce high thrust and total impulse. The advanced optical system allows for the thermal capacitor to charge through solar power alone with no protruding concentrators or power draw from the main bus. Additional solar panels, body mounted to the ThermaSat, provide auxiliary heating of the thermal capacitor when not directly incident to sunlight to promote non- sun pointing operations.

IPC Classes  ?

• B64G 1/40 - Arrangements or adaptations of propulsion systems
• B64G 1/10 - Artificial satellites; Systems of such satellites; Interplanetary vehicles
• B64G 1/42 - Arrangements or adaptations of power supply systems

Abstract

A customizable thin plate fuel form and reactor core therefor are disclosed. The thin plate fuel will comprise a fuel material embedded within a matrix material, with the entire unit having a coating. The thin plate fuel may be flat or curved and will have flow channels formed within at least the top surface of the fuel plate. The structure of the thin plate fuel will make it easier for coating with Tungsten or any other suitable material that will help contain any byproducts, prevent reactions with the working fluid, and potentially provide structural support to the thin plate fuel.

IPC Classes  ?

• G21C 3/36 - Assemblies of plate-shaped fuel elements or coaxial tubes
• G21C 3/20 - Constructional details - Details of the construction within the casing with non-active interlayer between casing and active material
• G21C 5/16 - Shape of its constituent parts
• G21C 5/18 - Moderator or core structure; Selection of materials for use as moderator characterised by the provision of more than one active zone
• G21C 15/06 - Arrangement or disposition of passages in which heat is transferred to the coolant, e.g. for coolant circulation through the supports of the fuel elements from fissile or breeder material in fuel elements
• B64G 1/40 - Arrangements or adaptations of propulsion systems
• G21C 3/62 - Ceramic fuel
• G21C 3/64 - Ceramic dispersion fuel, e.g. cermet
• G21C 5/12 - Moderator or core structure; Selection of materials for use as moderator characterised by composition, e.g. the moderator containing additional substances which ensure improved heat resistance of the moderator

Abstract

A thermoelectric converter including a thermoelectric generator and a radiation source. The thermoelectric generator includes a hot source, a cold source, n-type material, and p-type material. The radiation source emits ionizing radiation that increases electrical conductivity. Also detailed is a method of using radiation to reach high efficiency with a thermoelectric converter that includes providing a thermoelectric generator and a radiation source, with the thermoelectric generator including a hot source, a cold source, n-type material, and p-type material, and emitting ionizing radiation with the radiation source to increase the electrical conductivity which strips electrons in the n-type material, the p-type material, or both the n-type material and p-type material from their nuclei with the electrons then free to move within the material.

IPC Classes  ?

• H10N 10/13 - Thermoelectric devices comprising a junction of dissimilar materials, i.e. devices exhibiting Seebeck or Peltier effects operating with only the Peltier or Seebeck effects characterised by the heat-exchanging means at the junction
• H10N 10/17 - Thermoelectric devices comprising a junction of dissimilar materials, i.e. devices exhibiting Seebeck or Peltier effects operating with only the Peltier or Seebeck effects characterised by the structure or configuration of the cell or thermocouple forming the device
• H10N 10/855 - Thermoelectric active materials comprising inorganic compositions comprising compounds containing boron, carbon, oxygen or nitrogen

Abstract

A customizable thin plate fuel form and reactor core therefor are disclosed. The thin plate fuel will comprise a fuel material embedded within a matrix material, with the entire unit having a coating. The thin plate fuel may be flat or curved and will have flow channels formed within at least the top surface of the fuel plate. The structure of the thin plate fuel will make it easier for coating with Tungsten or any other suitable material that will help contain any byproducts, prevent reactions with the working fluid, and potentially provide structural support to the thin plate fuel.

IPC Classes  ?

• G21C 3/36 - Assemblies of plate-shaped fuel elements or coaxial tubes
• G21C 3/20 - Constructional details - Details of the construction within the casing with non-active interlayer between casing and active material
• G21C 15/06 - Arrangement or disposition of passages in which heat is transferred to the coolant, e.g. for coolant circulation through the supports of the fuel elements from fissile or breeder material in fuel elements
• G21C 5/18 - Moderator or core structure; Selection of materials for use as moderator characterised by the provision of more than one active zone
• G21C 5/16 - Shape of its constituent parts
• G21C 3/64 - Ceramic dispersion fuel, e.g. cermet
• B64G 1/40 - Arrangements or adaptations of propulsion systems
• G21C 5/12 - Moderator or core structure; Selection of materials for use as moderator characterised by composition, e.g. the moderator containing additional substances which ensure improved heat resistance of the moderator
• G21C 3/62 - Ceramic fuel