Patent ID: 6218607
Filing Date: 2001-04-17
Classification: H02S,Y02E

Abstract:
A portable thermophotovoltaic generator comprising a fuel tube, a fuel inlet mounted at a base of the fuel tube, a fuel injector mounted at a top of the fuel tube, a venturi adjacent the fuel injector, a combustion air tube surrounding the fuel tube for directing combustion air to the venturi, a combustion chamber beyond the fuel injector and venturi, and an infrared emitter surrounding the combustion chamber, an exhaust gas conduit surrounding the IR emitter and extending down along the combustion air tube, a finned heat exchanger connected to the exhaust conduit and having fins extending from a tube into the exhaust conduit and into the combustion air tube for preheating the combustion air, a shield surrounding the emitter and a photovoltaic converter assembly surrounding the shield, cooling fins connected to the photovoltaic converter assembly and extending outward therefrom, a cooling air tube surrounding the cooling fins for confining cooling air, an insulator surrounding the exhaust gas conduit, the insulator supporting the shield, and an insulated combustion chamber cover on the shield.