Patent ID: 8970088
Filing Date: 2015-03-03
Classification: H01J

Abstract:
1. A thermionic converter for converting thermal energy into electrical energy, the thermionic converter comprising: an emitter configured to emit thermionic electrons upon receipt of thermal energy from a heat source, the emitter made of a first semiconductor material to which a first semiconductor impurity is doped with a first concentration; a collector spaced from and arranged opposite to the emitter, the collector configured to receive the emitted thermionic electrons and convert the thermal energy into electrical energy, the collector made of a second semiconductor material to which a second semiconductor impurity is doped with a second concentration less than the first concentration; and a vacuum chamber that accommodates the emitter and the collector and maintains a separation distance between the collector and the emitter under vacuum, wherein the emitter includes a first substrate and a first semiconductor film on the first substrate, the first semiconductor film having a single-layer structure and being made of the first semiconductor material to which the first semiconductor impurity is doped with the first concentration, and the collector includes a second substrate and a second semiconductor film on the second substrate, the second semiconductor film having a single-layer structure and being made of the second semiconductor material to which the second semiconductor impurity is doped with the second concentration.