WO2002013366A1

WO2002013366A1 - Solar ray energy conversion apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2002013366A1
Application number: PCT/JP2001/003715
Authority: WO
Inventors: Norio Akamatsu
Original assignee: Norio Akamatsu
Priority date: 2000-08-07
Filing date: 2001-04-27
Publication date: 2002-02-14
Also published as: AU2001252643A1; KR20020029942A; CN1386317A; TW535185B; IL148389A0

Abstract

An electron emission electrode, an electron acceleration electrode and an electron collection electrode are individually arranged in a vacuum container so that thermoelectrons may be efficiently collected at the electron collection electrode to convert the solar energy over a wide spectral range of solar ray into an electric energy.

Description

Solar energy converter Technical field

The present invention relates to a solar energy conversion device that converts light energy emitted from the sun into electric energy. Background art

The energy obtained by burning fossil fuels such as coal and petroleum causes deterioration of the global environment and the limited amount of reserves makes it difficult to use them over the long term.

In order to solve the deterioration of environmental problems caused by the burning of fossil fuels such as dioxide and carbon dioxide, which cause global warming, and to release the problem of fossil fuel depletion, Developing devices and methods that utilize the released solar energy is necessary for the survival of humankind, and if it becomes possible to efficiently convert solar energy into electrical energy, It is possible that the sun will supply the energy needed for a healthy survival. For this reason, various intensive developments have been pursued.

Here, as a method for converting the energy of sunlight into electric energy, what is desired as an apparatus is that, first, the efficiency of converting the energy of sunlight into electrical energy is high. Considering the cleanliness of solar energy, do not use substances that destroy or harm the environment. Second, it needs to be inexpensive because it needs to be spread. In order to be inexpensive, it is necessary to avoid the use of materials that are difficult to obtain or that require high production costs, and it is desirable that the structure be simple. If the structure is simple, it can be used for a long time by replacing components, etc.For long-term use, it is important that it is durable and has a long service life, and maintenance costs It is desirable that running costs are low.

Furthermore, it is desirable that it be lightweight and compact so that it can be used anywhere.

By the way, as a conventional device for directly converting solar energy into electric energy, a solar cell mainly composed of a semiconductor is generally known. In these conventional solar cells, the available light wavelength is centered around blue at 400 nm to 450 nm. In other words, the sunlight that can be used by conventional solar cells is only a part of the spectrum of light that is poured from the sun, and most of visible light and infrared light from green to red can be converted to electric energy. Did not. To this end, many researchers have improved the efficiency of solar cells, but the efficiency of solar cells remains below 20%.

It is also known that semiconductors constituting solar cells have high manufacturing costs and emit environmentally harmful substances during the manufacturing process.

Therefore, the method and device for converting solar energy into electric energy using solar cells cannot be said to satisfy the conditions that the above-described method and device for converting solar energy into electric energy should have. That is the current situation.

An object of the present invention is to convert energy of a wavelength corresponding to more spectrum of solar rays, that is, energy in a wavelength region of sunlight that is not used by a conventional solar cell, into electric energy. By doing so, it is possible to provide a solar energy conversion device that is more efficient, cheaper, and has no adverse effects on the environment. Disclosure of the invention

In order to solve the above problems, the use of solar cells (PN-junction semiconductors), which can use only a part of the solar spectrum, is different from the use of solar cells. The gist of the invention is to provide a solar energy conversion device.

Here, the electron-emitting electrode is an electrode that emits thermoelectrons, and is usually a material (barium oxide, barium oxide, etc.) that easily emits thermoelectrons to a metal with high electron-emitting ability (tungsten, tantalum, scandium, iridium, etc.). Compounds such as iridium oxide, strontium carbonate, iridium and scandium) are obtained by impregnation or coating, and emit thermal electrons when the temperature is increased. The emitted thermoelectrons are received and collected by the electron collection electrode, and the solar energy is converted into electrical energy by the emission of thermoelectrons.

Such electron-emitting electrodes are described in US Pat. Nos. 3,968,178, US Pat. No. 1,697, US Pat. No. 3,719,856, and US Pat. A proposal was made by the US patent US Pat. No. 4,077,393 in 77, which improved the emission efficiency of emitted thermoelectrons and improved durability. Although the above technology has been used in the field of vacuum tubes and CRTs (Cathode Ray Tubes), the structure of the solar energy conversion device of the present invention is similar to vacuum tubes in some respects. The function of the solar energy converter of the present invention is the power generation function. That is, vacuum tubes and solar energy converters are completely different in function.

Specifically, the solar energy conversion device of the first embodiment of the present invention,

A concentrator that collects sunlight,

A heating plate arranged in a vacuum vessel and irradiated with sunlight collected by the light-collecting device;

An electron emission electrode that is disposed in the vacuum vessel so as to be thermally coupled to the heating plate, and that emits electrons in a vacuum when the temperature of the heating plate rises as the temperature of the heating plate rises; An electron acceleration electrode disposed to face the emission electrode, a minus terminal connected to the electron emission electrode, and a plus terminal connected to the electron acceleration electrode An electron acceleration power supply to which is connected

A deflecting device disposed in the vacuum vessel, for bending a trajectory of an electron flying between the electron emission electrode and the electron acceleration electrode;

And an electron collecting electrode for collecting flying electrons whose trajectory has been bent by the deflecting device.

The electron collection electrode is a negative electrode, and the electron emission electrode is a positive electrode, so that the electrons of the electron emission electrode are moved to generate electricity.

Further, a solar energy conversion device according to a second aspect of the present invention is the solar energy conversion device according to the first aspect, wherein the deflection device includes one of a deflection magnet and an electrostatic deflection electrode. It is assumed that.

The solar energy conversion device according to a third aspect of the present invention is the solar energy conversion device according to the first or second aspect, wherein the surface of the electron collection electrode has metal fibers, or a mesh-like or lattice-like metal. An electron capture portion configured by a line and capturing the flying electrons is formed.

Further, a solar energy conversion device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention includes: a light concentrator that collects sunlight;

An electron emission electrode that is disposed in the vacuum vessel in combination with the heating plate, and that emits electrons in a vacuum when the temperature rises with the temperature of the heating plate; and the electron emission electrode in the vacuum vessel. An electron accelerating electrode arranged to face the electron accelerating power source, wherein a negative terminal is connected to the electron emitting electrode, and a positive terminal is connected to the electron accelerating electrode;

An electron collection electrode provided between the electron emission electrode and the electron acceleration electrode, for collecting flying electrons emitted from the electron emission electrode. The electron collection electrode is made of a metal fiber or a mesh-like or lattice-like metal wire,

Further, a solar energy conversion device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention includes: a light collecting device that collects sunlight;

An electron collection electrode provided between the electron emission electrode and the electron acceleration electrode, for collecting flying electrons emitted from the electron emission electrode.

The electron accelerating electrode and the electron collecting electrode are electrically insulated from each other, and the electrons of the electron emitting electrode are moved by using the electron collecting electrode as a negative electrode and the electron emitting electrode as a positive electrode. It is characterized in that it is configured to generate electricity by using

The solar energy conversion device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the solar energy conversion device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the electron emission electrode is at least one of iridium, scandium, and barium. It is characterized by containing or attaching a compound containing any one of them.

The solar energy conversion device according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the solar energy conversion device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the condensing device is a lens or a concave. It is characterized by including any one of a surface mirror.

The solar energy conversion device according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the solar energy conversion device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the electron collection electrode is made of stainless steel, a molybdenum compound, and a tungsten compound. It is characterized by comprising any one of the following.

A solar energy converter according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is the solar energy converter according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein at least one of the heating plate or the electron collection electrode is a black body. It is characterized by having been subjected to a dani processing.

The solar energy converter according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the solar energy converter according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, wherein the flying electrons that collide with the electron collecting electrode are the electrons. An electron re-emission preventing portion for preventing re-emission from the collecting electrode is formed.

The solar energy conversion device according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention is the solar energy conversion device according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, wherein the electron collection electrode is bent toward the electron emission electrode. And forming a recess opening on the electron emission electrode side. '

Further, the solar energy conversion device according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention is the solar energy conversion device according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, wherein: It is characterized by forming a sunlight passage window through which sunlight condensed by the optical device passes.

Further, a solar energy converter according to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention is the solar energy converter according to any one of the first to the eleventh aspects, wherein the heating plate is fixed from a material having poor heat conduction. It is characterized in that it is attached to a vacuum vessel by means of members. A solar energy converter according to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention is the solar energy converter according to any one of the first to thirteenth aspects, wherein the solar energy converter is disposed in the vacuum vessel. It is characterized in that an insulator is interposed between the heating plate and the electron emission electrode. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a basic configuration of a solar energy conversion device according to the present invention, and is a side view showing an internal configuration by cutting a vacuum vessel.

FIG. 2 shows a solar energy conversion device to which an electrostatic deflection method is applied, and is a side view showing an internal configuration by cutting a vacuum container.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a part (arrangement relation of magnets) of the solar energy conversion device to which the magnetic field deflection method is applied.

FIG. 4 shows a solar energy conversion device to which a magnetic field deflection method is applied, and is a side view showing an internal configuration by cutting a vacuum vessel.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an electron collecting electrode provided with an electron re-emission preventing member.

Fig. 6 shows a state in which the electron collection electrode of the magnetic field deflection type solar energy conversion device is bent to the electron emission electrode side, and the electron re-emission prevention member is attached. FIG.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an example in which metal fibers are used for the electron collection electrodes.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an example in which a metal net is used for the electron collection electrode.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the electron collecting electrode of FIG. 8 in a direction perpendicular to the metal net.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a solar energy conversion device that does not use an electron deflection device.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating another embodiment of the solar energy conversion device that does not use the electronic tendency device.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a solar light passing window of the solar energy conversion device of the present invention and a fixing member for a heating plate and the like around the window.

Fig. 13 is a side view showing a configuration in which an insulator is sandwiched between the heating plate and the electron-emitting electrodes. is there.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example in which a concave mirror is used as a light collecting device. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows the basic structure of a solar energy conversion device 100, which is a device that converts light energy emitted from the sun into electric energy. However, Figure 1 shows the basic structure, which is slightly different from a practical solar energy converter, but is used to explain the basic operation.

The solar energy converter 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a vacuum vessel 3, a convex lens 20 provided in the vacuum vessel 3, a heating plate 5 disposed in the vacuum vessel 3, and an intimate connection with the heating plate 5. And an electron accelerating power source 30 connected to the electron emitting electrode 6, the electron accelerating electrode 7, and the like. The electron emission electrode 6 is an electrode that emits electrons, and normally emits thermoelectrons by applying a substance that easily emits thermoelectrons and raising the temperature. (The electrode corresponding to the Edison effect force sword discovered by E dison in 1988 is called an electron emission electrode.) The electron acceleration electrode 7 is thermion emitted from the electron emission electrode 6 In order to accelerate the electrons, a positive voltage is applied in the direction in which the electrons fly, and they are arranged to accelerate the electrons. A thermoelectron is a substance that has a high electron emission ability in a vacuum (compounds such as tungsten, tantalum, barium oxide, iridium oxide, strontium carbonate, iridium, and scandium). Electrons emitted from the cathode due to the voltage applied to

The inside of the vacuum vessel 3 is vacuum, and the electron emission electrode 6 and the electron acceleration electrode 7 are arranged to face each other.

When a convex lens 20 is used as a condenser 1 for collecting sunlight 2 (a device that collects light in a narrow area like a convex lens or concave mirror), and a heating plate 5 is placed near its focal point, The temperature of the heating plate 5 rises, and the tightly coupled electron emission The temperature of the electrode 6 rises. Here, since the inside of the vacuum vessel 3 is in a vacuum, the generated heat is hardly lost due to conduction to the outside. In addition, since the direction of the sun changes over time, the direction of the sunlight is detected using an optical sensor (not shown), and the condensing device 1 is directed to the direction of the sunlight using a driving device (not shown). You may be directed to. In this way, the efficiency of converting solar energy into electrical energy is improved.

The electron emission electrode 6 is impregnated with a compound such as barium or scandium that efficiently emits thermoelectrons, and the temperature of the electron emission electrode 6 causes the thermoelectrons to be emitted into the vacuum vessel. In particular, if a black substance is applied to the heating plate 5 and the electron emission electrode 6 by applying a black substance, the energy of sunlight incident on the black body remains in the black body and the energy radiated to the outside is reduced. Minimized, almost all energy is used to raise the temperature of the heating plate 5 and the electron emission electrode 6, and the temperature rise efficiency is improved, and more thermoelectrons are emitted and the efficiency of converting light energy to electric energy is improved. . Here, the positive terminal 10 of the electron accelerating power supply 30, which is a DC voltage generator, is connected to the electron accelerating electrode 7, and the negative terminal 11 of the electron accelerating power supply is connected to the electron emitting electrode 6. The thermoelectrons are accelerated by the plus voltage applied to the electron acceleration electrode 7, fly toward the electron acceleration electrode 7, and collide with the electron acceleration electrode 7. Therefore, although electrons are excessive at the electron accelerating electrode 7, the structure shown in FIG. 1 cannot be effectively extracted as electric energy.

Therefore, in the present invention, an electron collecting electrode 8 is arranged as an electrode for collecting electrons separately from the electron accelerating electrode 7, and an electron deflecting device 9 is used to deflect electrons toward the electron accelerating electrode 7. By guiding the electrons in the direction of 8, the electrons are collected by the electron collecting electrode 8 so as to be effectively extracted as electric energy. Figures 2 to 4 show the structure of the solar energy converter.

Here, the electron collecting electrode 8 is an electrode that collects electrons, and is an electrode that receives emitted thermoelectrons. The electrode corresponding to the Edison effect anode is Say pole. (However, in a conventional vacuum tube, the electron accelerating electrode and the electron collecting electrode are the same, and this is called an anode. However, in the solar energy conversion device of the present invention, the electron collecting electrode and the electron accelerating electrode are arranged separately. This electron collecting electrode ⁸ is often made of a compound of stainless steel, molybdenum and tungsten, but other conductive metals can be used instead. In particular, hard metals such as molybdenum, titanium, tungsten and stainless steel are suitable.

The electron deflecting device 9 is a device that bends the trajectory of electrons flying in a vacuum, and includes an electrostatic deflecting method and a magnetic field deflecting method. The electrostatic deflection method consists of a positive electrostatic deflection electrode with a positive voltage applied and a negative electrostatic deflection electrode with a negative voltage applied near the electron trajectory. The magnetic field deflection method places the N and S poles of a magnet near the electron's flight trajectory, and uses the Lorentz effect on the flying electrons in the magnetic field formed by the magnet to traverse the electron's trajectory. This is a method of bending.

FIG. 2 shows a solar energy conversion device 101 using the electrostatic deflection method. The solar energy conversion device 100 has an electron collection electrode 8, and an electrostatic deflection device 90 as an electron deflection device 9. It is provided with. The electrostatic deflecting device 90 includes a positive terminal 14 a of the positive electrode 14 for electrostatic deflection, a negative terminal 15 a of the negative electrode 15 for electrostatic deflection, an electrostatic deflection power supply 40, and the like.

The solar energy converter 101 using the electrostatic deflection method shown in FIG. 2 has a convex lens 2 as a condensing device 1 for collecting the sunlight 2, similarly to the solar energy converter 100 shown in FIG. When 0 is used and the heating plate 5 is arranged near the focal point, the temperature of the heating plate 5 rises due to the irradiation of sunlight, and the temperature of the electron-emitting electrode 6 that is closely bonded is increased. Thermions are emitted into the vacuum vessel 3 due to the temperature rise of the electron emission electrodes 6, and the emitted thermoelectrons are accelerated by the positive voltage of the electron acceleration power supply 30 applied to the electron acceleration electrodes 7, Fly toward 7.

The electrostatic deflection positive electrode 14 of the electrostatic deflection device 90 sandwiches the trajectory space of the thermoelectrons. Since the electrostatic deflection negative electrode 15 is provided, the flying thermoelectrons travel on an orbit bent by an electrostatic field by the electrostatic deflection device 90. That is, the thermoelectrons emitted from the electron emission electrode 6 are accelerated by the electron acceleration electrode ⁷ and initially travel in the direction of the electron acceleration electrode 7, but statically move to the plus terminal 1 of the electrostatic deflection positive electrode 14. When a thermoelectron moves in the space between the negative terminal 15a of the negative electrode 15 and the flying thermoelectron receives a repulsive force from the negative terminal 15a of the negative electrode 15 and the positive electrostatic deflection It receives an attractive force from the positive terminal 14a of the electrode 14 and bends in the direction shown by the solid line in FIG. Since the electron collecting electrodes 8 are arranged in the bent traveling direction, the thermoelectrons that finally fly reach the electron collecting electrodes 8.

As a result of the above phenomena, the electron collecting electrode 8 has more electrons than in the neutralized state and is in an electron excess state, is charged to a negative potential, and is in the same state as the negative electrode of the battery. On the other hand, since the electrons are emitted from the electron-emitting electrode 6, the electron-emitting electrode 6 is in a state of lack of electrons, is charged to a positive potential, and is in the same state as the positive electrode of the battery. In this state, it becomes possible to extract electricity by connecting the load (for example, a capacitor) between the two terminals by using the electron emission electrode 6 as a positive terminal and the electron collection electrode 8 as a negative terminal. Energy is converted to electrical energy.

Here, the power consumed by the electron acceleration electrode 7 is considered. In order to accelerate electrons, it is necessary to apply a positive voltage to the electron accelerating electrode 7, and therefore, an electron accelerating power source 30 is required. Since the electron acceleration electrode 7 is used only for accelerating the thermoelectrons, the electrons do not collide with the electron acceleration electrode 7. In other words, the electron acceleration power supply 30, which is a power supply for accelerating the electrons, only applies the electrostatic force of the cron to the flying electrons, so that the current supplied from the electron acceleration power supply 30 is almost zero. is there. Therefore, the power consumed by the electron acceleration power supply 30 is almost zero.

Also consider the power consumed by the electrostatic deflection device 90. In order to perform electrostatic deflection, it is necessary to apply a voltage to the electrostatic deflection positive electrode 14 and the electrostatic deflection negative electrode 15, and therefore, an electrostatic deflection power supply 40 is required. Electrostatic deflection positive electrode 14 and electrostatic deflection negative electrode 15 Since it is used to bend the trajectory of the child's flight, electrons do not collide with the electrostatic deflection positive electrode 14. That is, since the electrostatic deflection power supply 40, which is a power supply for bending the trajectory of the electron flight, only applies the Coulomb electrostatic force to the flying electrons, the current supplied from the electrostatic deflection power supply 40 is almost zero. It is. Therefore, the power consumed by the electrostatic deflection power supply 40 is almost zero.

Thus, since the power consumed by the electron acceleration power supply 30 and the electrostatic deflection power supply 40 is almost zero, the power consumption required for power generation becomes almost zero, and the solar energy is reduced. The efficiency of conversion to electric energy is high, and this solar energy converter 101 can be said to be highly practical.

Next, the solar energy conversion device 102 using the magnetic field deflection method will be described.

FIG. 3 shows a solar energy conversion device using a magnetic field deflection method, and shows a positional relationship among a magnetic field deflection device 91, an electron emission electrode 6, an electron acceleration electrode 7, and an electron collection electrode 8. FIG. 4 shows a solar energy conversion device using a magnetic field deflection method. The solar energy conversion device 100 includes an electron collection electrode 8 and a magnetic field deflection device 91 as an electron deflection device 9. The magnetic field deflection device 91 is a so-called magnet. FIG. 4 is a view of the N pole 16 side of the magnetic field deflector 91 viewed from a desired direction, with the trajectory of the thermoelectrons interposed from the S pole 17 side of the magnetic field deflector 91 shown in FIG.

The solar energy conversion device 102 using the magnetic field deflection method shown in FIG. 3 is similar to the solar energy conversion device 100 shown in FIG. When 0 is used and the heating plate 5 is disposed near the focal point, the temperature of the heating plate 5 rises due to the irradiation of sunlight, and the temperature of the thermally coupled electron-emitting electrode 6 rises. Thermions are emitted into the vacuum vessel 3 due to the temperature rise of the electron emission electrodes 6, and the emitted thermoelectrons are accelerated by the plus voltage applied to the electron acceleration electrodes 7 and fly toward the electron acceleration electrodes 7.

Since the magnetic field deflector 91 is arranged so as to sandwich the trajectory space of the thermoelectrons, The flying thermoelectrons travel on an orbit bent by the magnetic field. That is, thermions emitted from the electron emission electrode 6 are accelerated by the electron acceleration electrode 7 and initially travel in the direction of the electron acceleration electrode 7, but the N pole 16 of the magnetic field deflector 91 and the magnetic field deflector When passing through the magnetic field formed by the S pole 17 ′ of 91, the trajectory is bent in the direction according to the framing left-hand rule due to Lorentz force (electron flying in the curve shown by the broken line in Fig. 4). The track is bent). Since the electron collecting electrodes 8 are arranged in the bent traveling direction, the thermoelectrons that finally fly reach the electron collecting electrodes 8.

As a result of the above phenomena, the electron collecting electrode 8 has more electrons than in the neutralized state and is in an electron excess state, is charged to a negative potential, and is in the same state as the negative electrode of the battery. On the other hand, since the electrons are emitted from the electron-emitting electrode 6, the electron-emitting electrode 6 is in a state of lack of electrons, is charged to a positive potential, and is in the same state as the positive electrode of the battery. The electron emission electrode 6 has a positive terminal, the electron collection electrode 8 has a negative terminal, and a load (for example, a capacitor or the like) is connected between the two terminals, so that electricity can be taken out. Is converted to one.

Here, the power consumed by the electron acceleration electrode 7 is almost zero as described above. In addition, since the magnetic field deflector 91 is a permanent magnet and does not require a power supply to perform magnetic field deflection, power consumption is zero.

As described above, the power consumed by the electron acceleration power source 30 is almost zero, and the power consumed by the magnetic field deflector 91 is zero, so that the power generation cost is almost nil, and the solar energy is converted into electric energy. The conversion efficiency is high, and it can be said that this solar energy conversion device 102 is highly practical.

In the solar energy conversion device of the present invention, the structure of the portion other than the electrostatic deflection device 90 and the magnetic field deflection device 91 is the same between the electrostatic deflection method and the magnetic field deflection method. Next, the collection efficiency of thermoelectrons in the electron collection electrode 8 will be examined.

Here, the surface of the electron collecting electrode 8 shown in FIG. 2 has a curved concave shape, the surface of which is oriented in the direction of the electron emitting electrode 6. Because of the arrangement, the thermoelectrons that collide with the electron collecting electrode 8 can be prevented from rebounding, re-emitted, and moving in the direction of the electron accelerating electrode Ί.

However, with the shape of the electron collecting electrode 8 shown in FIG. 4, there is a possibility that the thermoelectrons that collide with the electron collecting electrode 8 are rebounded and re-emitted and move in the direction of the electron accelerating electrode 7. When the thermoelectrons reach the electron accelerating electrode 7, the current that can be extracted from the electron collecting electrode 8 decreases, and when the thermoelectrons reach the electron accelerating electrode 7, a current is supplied to the electron accelerating electrode 7 from an external power supply. Need, power consumption increases, and the efficiency of converting solar energy into electrical energy decreases.

Therefore, an electron re-emission preventing member 18 having a substantially square shape and deeply surrounding the electron collecting electrode 8 as shown in FIG. 5 is attached. The electron re-emission preventing member 18 prevents thermal electrons that collide with and bounce off the electron collecting electrode 8 from moving toward the electron accelerating electrode 7 and being re-emitted. Therefore, the phenomenon that the current that can be extracted from the electron collecting electrode 8 does not decrease does not occur, and no unnecessary current is supplied from the external power supply to the electron accelerating electrode 7, and the power consumed by the device itself does not increase. The efficiency of converting light energy to electric energy is improved.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment for preventing electron re-emission. The electron collecting electrode 8 in the solar energy converter 103 shown in FIG. 6 does not form a curved surface as shown in FIG. 2, but has a portion bent toward the electron emitting electrode 6. It is. With such a structure, as in the case shown in FIG. 2, it is possible to prevent the movement of the thermoelectrons that have collided with the electron collecting electrode 8 and bounced back toward the electron accelerating electrode 7. Moreover, since the electron re-emission preventing member 18 made of an insulating material is disposed between the electron collecting electrode 8 and the electron accelerating electrode 7, the electron collecting electrode 8 is more effectively moved from the electron accelerating electrode 7 to the electron accelerating electrode 7. Transfer of electrons is stopped. Therefore, power consumption is low and the amount of electrical energy that can be extracted increases, so that the efficiency of converting solar energy into electrical energy is improved, and practicality is enhanced.

As a method for preventing electron re-emission, the form of the electron collecting electrode 8 was modified. Here is an example.

Until now, a metal plate-shaped electrode was used as the electron collecting electrode 8.However, on such a rigid body surface, when the flying thermoelectrons collided with the electrode, it could bounce off. The re-emission electrons were minimized by adopting a bent structure and attaching an electron re-emission prevention member 18 made of an insulating material. Minimizing re-emitted electrons can also be achieved by using an electrode with a structure in which the metal material used for the electrode is made into a fibrous metal fiber 50 or a metal mesh 60 in which metal wires are arranged in a mesh shape. Can be prevented. (Fig. 7, Fig. 8)

In other words, if the electron collecting electrode 8 is composed of a metal fiber 50 or a metal network 60 in which metal wires are arranged in a mesh, when the flying thermoelectrons emitted from the electron emitting electrode collide with the electron collecting electrode 8, However, there is a space around the metal net where the metal wires are arranged in a metal fiber-mesh shape, and the flying thermoelectrons enter the space and collide with the electrode inside the electrode. Therefore, even if a bounce occurs, the metal that constitutes the electrode is arranged in various directions in the internal space of the electrode. Captured by In some cases, thermionic electrons flying inside the electrode collide with the electrode metal and strike out secondary electrons.In this case as well, the secondary electrons collide with the metal approaching before flying out. It fits in the electron collection electrode 8. (FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the electron collecting electrode 8 shown in FIG. 8 in a direction perpendicular to the metal net, and schematically shows the movement of thermoelectrons inside the electrode.) The probability that a flying thermoelectron that has entered the inside of the electrode escapes from the electrode is low. That is, most of the thermoelectrons flying in the vacuum are captured by the electrodes composed of metal fibers or metal nets in which metal wires are arranged in a mesh. Therefore, when the electron collecting electrode 8 is manufactured using the metal fiber, the probability of capturing the flying thermoelectrons is improved as compared with the case where the electron collecting electrode 8 is formed of the metal on the rigid body surface. Increasing the probability of capture of flying thermoelectrons increases the efficiency of converting solar energy into electrical energy.

Furthermore, a metal net in which metal wires are arranged in such a mesh or dalid shape. By using the electron collecting electrode 8 having a structure in which the electron deflecting device 9 is superimposed, a solar energy conversion device 104 that does not require the electron deflecting device 9 as shown in FIG. 10 can be obtained.

In the solar energy conversion device 104 shown in FIG. 10, the electron collecting electrode 8 has a configuration in which a metal net is bundled, and has a gap and a space from the electrode surface to the back surface. That is, even if the electron accelerating electrode 7 is arranged on the back side of the electron collecting electrode 8, the electric field acts through the gap and space of the electron collecting electrode 8, so that the acceleration effect can be obtained. Thus, thermions emitted and accelerated from the electron emission electrode 6 reach the electron collection electrode 8 without being deflected.

FIG. 11 shows another embodiment 105 of the solar energy conversion device that does not require the electron deflection device 9. In the solar energy converter 105 shown in FIG. 11, the electron collecting electrode 8 has a donut-shaped disk-shaped portion 8a, and a conical insulating material 70 is provided in the center hole of the conical tip. Are directed to the electron emission electrode 6. In addition, the surface of the conical insulating material 70 has a linear portion 8b formed of a metal wire in a mesh shape, a grid shape, or a spiral shape that constitutes a part of the electron collecting electrode 8. An electron accelerating electrode 7 is arranged below the conical insulating material 70. Since the electron accelerating electrode 7 is covered with the conical insulating material 70, it does not absorb thermoelectrons. Insulating material 7 0 conical shape, for example, a good UNA hard material S I_〇 _2.

Due to the electron accelerating electrode 7, negative charges are collected in a portion of the conical insulating material 70 near the electron accelerating electrode 7, and positive charges are collected in a portion far from the electron accelerating electrode 7. The lines of electric force generated from the positive charges reach the electron-emitting electrode 6, so that an electric field (electric field) is formed and the thermoelectrons are accelerated. The accelerated thermoelectrons are not only absorbed by the electron collecting electrode 8b, but are repelled by the cone-shaped insulating material 70, or stayed near the conical insulating material 70. The repelled thermoelectrons are absorbed by the doughnut-shaped disk-shaped portion 8a of the electron collecting electrode 8 located in the periphery. On the other hand, the thermoelectrons staying in the vicinity of the conical insulating material 70 slide on the surface of the conical insulating material 70 under the influence of the electric field, and It is absorbed by the linear portion 8b or the disk-shaped portion 8a of the collecting electrode 8.

FIG. 12 shows a case where the sunlight passing window 4 is installed in the vacuum vessel 3 and a state where the heating plate 5 and the electron emission electrode 6 are attached to the vacuum vessel 3.

In the solar energy converter (partial view) shown in Fig. 12, a sunlight passage window 4 made of a transparent material that is transparent to light is installed in a part of the vacuum vessel 3. . The sunlight passes through the sunlight passing window 4 and irradiates the heating plate 5. (The broken arrows indicate sunlight rays.) When the sunlight transmitting window 4 is provided in this manner, the efficiency of heating the heating plate 5 is lower than that in the case where the condensing device 1 such as a convex lens is provided. If it is necessary to increase the efficiency, a concentrator 1 is provided outside the vacuum vessel 3, and the condensed sunlight is passed through the sunlight passage window 4, and Irradiation may be used.

In the solar energy conversion device (partial view) of FIG. 12, the heating plate 5 and the electron emission electrodes 6 are attached to the vacuum vessel 3 using the fixing members 19. The fixing member 19 is manufactured using a material of a poor heat conductor such as mica or ceramic. Since the fixing member 19 is a poor conductor of heat, the heating plate 5 is heated, the temperature rises, and the amount of heat obtained is small because the amount of heat conducted to the vacuum vessel 3 via the fixing member 19 is very small. The amount of heat is small and thermionic emission is performed efficiently.

FIG. 13 shows another embodiment of the form of connection between the heating plate 5 and the electron emission electrode 6.

Until now, the heating plate 5 and the electron-emitting electrode 6 were directly thermally coupled, but here, the insulator '71 was inserted between the heating plate 5 and the electron-emitting electrode 6. The effect is that the heating plate 5 is heated and the increased temperature is transmitted to the electron emission electrode 6 via the insulator 71 in the same manner as before. When the temperature of the electron-emitting electrode 6 rises, thermoelectrons are more likely to be emitted, and the negative electrons of the insulator 71 are located near the electron-emitting electrode 6, so that the thermoelectrons are repelled by vacuum due to the repulsive action of the same sign charge. Released.

Here, since the heating plate 5 and the electron emission electrode 6 are insulated, electrons are not supplied from the electron acceleration electrode 30 to the electron emission electrode 6. In other words, power consumption is minimal

Claims

In addition, the electron emission electrode 6 is surely deficient in electrons and becomes positive, and effectively has the same action as the positive electrode of the battery. (Although not shown, the electron collecting electrode 8 has the same function as the negative electrode of the battery.)

FIG. 14 shows an embodiment of a solar energy conversion device (partial view) using a concave mirror 21 as the light collecting device 1. The sunlight 2 indicated by the broken line in FIG. 14 is reflected by the concave mirror 21 and collected on the heating plate 5, and the temperature of the heating plate 5 rises. When the heating plate 5 is arranged near the focal point of the concave mirror 21, an efficient solar energy conversion device is realized. Industrial applicability

The solar energy conversion device of the present invention can convert light energy corresponding to the spectrum of sunlight over a wide range into electric energy, and therefore has good conversion efficiency.

Moreover, it does not require special materials (materials that are difficult to obtain or materials that require high manufacturing costs), and its structure is simple, so its manufacturing costs are low and it can be said that it is widely used.

Moreover, the vacuum container used for the solar energy conversion device of the present invention is manufactured using a glass-plated stainless steel plate and has almost no deteriorated portions, so that it is durable and has a long service life. In addition, since the materials used do not cause environmental damage, there is no environmental problem even if a large amount of solar energy converters are used.

Further, in the solar energy conversion device of the present invention, since the electrodes are arranged in a glass container, the electrodes are hardly deteriorated and can be used for a long time even with a small maintenance cost.

Further, since the solar energy conversion device of the present invention can be reduced in weight and size, it can be installed in any place.

With the above effects, the solar energy conversion device of the present invention is extremely practical. Θ

The scope of the claims

1. Concentrator for collecting sunlight,

A heating plate disposed in a vacuum vessel and irradiated with sunlight collected by the light-collecting device;

An electron emission electrode that is disposed in the vacuum vessel so as to be thermally coupled to the heating plate, and that emits electrons in a vacuum when the temperature increases with the temperature of the heating plate;

An electron accelerating electrode arranged in the vacuum vessel so as to face the electron emitting electrode; an electron accelerating power source having a negative terminal connected to the electron emitting electrode and a positive terminal connected to the electron accelerating electrode;

A deflecting device disposed in the vacuum vessel, for bending a trajectory of electrons flying between the electron emission electrode and the electron acceleration electrode;

An electron collecting electrode for collecting the flying electrons whose trajectory is bent by the deflecting device,

A configuration in which the electron collection electrode is a negative electrode and the electron emission electrode is a positive electrode is configured to move the electrons of the electron emission electrode to generate electricity. apparatus.

2. The solar energy conversion device according to claim 1, wherein the deflection device includes one of a deflection magnet and an electrostatic deflection electrode.

3. An electron capturing portion formed on the surface of the electron collecting electrode by a metal fiber or a mesh-like or lattice-like metal wire and capturing the flying electrons is formed. Solar energy converter.

4. Concentrator that collects sunlight,

A heating plate arranged in a vacuum vessel and irradiated with sunlight collected by the light-collecting device; An electron emission electrode that is disposed in the vacuum vessel in combination with the heating plate, and that emits electrons in a vacuum when the temperature rises with the temperature of the heating plate, and the electron emission electrode in the vacuum vessel. An electron accelerating electrode arranged to face, an electron accelerating power source having a negative terminal connected to the electron emitting electrode, and a positive terminal connected to the electron accelerating electrode;

The electron collection electrode is made of a metal fiber, or a mesh-like or lattice-like metal wire,

A solar energy conversion device, wherein the electron collection electrode is a negative electrode, and the electron emission electrode is a positive electrode, whereby electrons are generated by moving electrons of the electron emission electrode. .

. A concentrator that collects sunlight,

An electron emission electrode that is disposed in the vacuum vessel in combination with the heating plate, and that emits electrons in a vacuum when the temperature rises with the temperature of the heating plate, and the electron emission electrode in the vacuum vessel. An electron accelerating electrode arranged to face, an electron accelerating power source having a negative terminal connected to the electron emitting electrode, and a positive terminal connected to the electron accelerating electrode;

The electron accelerating electrode and the electron collecting electrode are electrically insulated from each other, the electron collecting electrode is a negative electrode, and the electron emitting electrode is a positive electrode. A solar energy conversion device characterized in that it is configured to move to generate electricity.

The solar energy device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the electron emission electrode contains or attaches a compound containing at least one of iridium, scandium, and barium. Conversion device.

The solar energy conversion device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the light collection device includes one of a lens and a concave mirror.

8. The solar energy conversion device according to claim 1, wherein the electron collecting electrode is made of any one of stainless steel, a molybdenum compound, and a tungsten compound.

9. The solar energy conversion device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein at least one of the heating plate and the electron collecting electrode is subjected to a blackening treatment.

10. An electron re-emission preventing portion for preventing the flying electrons colliding with the electron collecting electrode from being re-emitted from the electron collecting electrode is formed. The solar energy conversion device as described in the above.

11. The solar energy conversion device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the electron collection electrode is bent toward the electron emission electrode, and a concave portion is formed on the electron emission electrode. apparatus.

12. The sunlight passage window through which sunlight condensed by the light condensing device is formed in a partial area of the vacuum vessel. Solar energy converter.

13. The solar energy conversion device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the heating plate is attached to the vacuum vessel by a fixing member made of a material having poor heat conduction.

1 4. The solar cell according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an insulator is sandwiched between a heating plate and an electron emission electrode arranged in the vacuum vessel. Light energy converter.