Patent ID: 8791357

Claim:
A method for converting heat energy to electric power using sub-micron gap thermo photovoltaic technology, comprising the steps of: collecting heat energy by a collecting surface ( 212 ) of a radiation-emitting layer ( 215 ) from an inner surface ( 208 ) of a thermally-conductive shell ( 210 ), an outer surface ( 205 ) of the thermally-conductive shell ( 210 ) being exposed to a heat energy source; maintaining a receiving surface ( 222 ) of a photovoltaic cell ( 225 ) by spacers in a micro gap ( 220 ) less than one micron distance from an emitting surface ( 218 ) of the radiation-emitting layer ( 215 ); receiving electromagnetic radiation by the receiving surface ( 222 ) from the emitting surface ( 218 ); providing pressure on the photovoltaic cell ( 225 ) by a thermally conductive, deformable foil membrane ( 230 ) forming a wall of a pressurized chamber containing liquid metal ( 235 ) for keeping the collecting surface ( 212 ) of the radiation-emitting layer ( 215 ) in close contact with the inner surface ( 208 ) of the thermally-conductive shell ( 210 ) and for maximizing cooling of the photovoltaic cell ( 225 ); providing pressure by a pneumatic chamber ( 260 ) maintained at a controlled pressure on a coolant chamber ( 245 ), a heat sink ( 240 ) in contact with the pressurized chamber containing liquid metal ( 235 ), the photovoltaic cell ( 225 ), the radiation-emitting layer ( 215 ), and the thermally-conductive shell ( 210 ) for further maximizing cooling of the photovoltaic cell ( 225 ); and circulating coolant liquid through cavities in the heat sink ( 240 ) and the coolant chamber ( 245 ) through use of flexible bellows and a coolant liquid distribution housing ( 270 ).