Patent ID: 9000652
Filing Date: 2015-04-07
Classification: H01J

Abstract:
1. A thermionic generator for converting thermal energy to electric energy using thermal electrons displaced between a pair of an emitter electrode and a collector electrode, the thermionic generator comprising: the emitter electrode for emitting the thermal electrons from a thermal electron emitting surface of the emitter electrode when heat from an external heat source is applied to the emitter electrode; the collector electrode facing the emitter electrode and spaced apart from the emitter electrode by a predetermined distance, wherein the collector electrode receives the thermal electrons from the emitter electrode via a facing surface of the collector electrode, which faces the thermal electron emitting surface; and a substrate having one surface, wherein the emitter electrode and the collector electrode are disposed on the one surface of the substrate, wherein the emitter electrode is electrically insulated from the collector electrode, wherein the thermal electron emitting surface and the facing surface are perpendicular to the one surface, wherein a distance between the thermal electron emitting surface and the facing surface is smaller than a thickness of the emitter electrode between the thermal electron emitting surface and a surface opposite to the thermal electron emitting surface, and wherein the distance between the thermal electron emitting surface and the facing surface is smaller than a thickness of the collector electrode between the facing surface and a surface opposite to the facing surface.