Patent ID: 6407477
Filing Date: 2002-06-18
Classification: H01J

Abstract:
A module containing a plurality of microminiature thermionic converters, the module comprising:a surface in operative association with a cooling means; a heating means; and a plurality of microminiature thermionic converters, each comprising a first electrode comprising a first material having a first work function; a second electrode comprising a second material having a second work function different from the first work function; at least one dielectric spacer deposited using chemical vapor deposition, supporting the second electrode relative to the first electrode such that the second electrode, at its closest approach to the first electrode is separated from the first electrode by a distance ranging from between about 1 micron and about 10 microns thereby defining an interelectrode gap, â€ƒbeing positioned so that, for each microminiature thermionic converter, one electrode is in physical contact with the surface in operative association with a cooling means and the other electrode is sufficiently close to the heating means to experience heat from the heating means when the module is in operation.