- High Efficiency
High Power to Weight Ratio
Variable AC output
Low Cost Materials
Relatively Low Temperature Design Template
Macor Ceramic
-Scott
Hi Aero,Aero wrote:Scott - Great reference information for a "How To" book. An example "How To" that would be of interest is converting my electric golf cart. (I use it as local run-about transportation.)
The golf cart uses four expensive 12 volt deep cycle batteries which must be recharged about every 6 miles and replaced occasionally. Charging electricity costs about $0.18/kW-hr at the meter. I currently use sun shade mounted solar cells to mitigate charging cost and to rescue me when I run out of power away from home, but solar cells are expensive, too. Used (or well used) electric golf carts can be purchased at reasonable prices, but often need replacement of the control electronics. Some questions:
Would a drop-in device fit in the battery compartment?
Would the device mass less than the batteries it replaced?
How much fuel (kerosene maybe) would be needed for reasonable range?
Would the fuel tank also fit in the battery compartment?
What would mass of the device plus fuel and tank be, compared to the batteries?
Would such a device reduce my transportation cost per mile?
Would such a system eliminate my concern about range limits?
When will you publish the "How To" instructions?
Thanks.
You can use pretty much anything for fuel.Aero wrote:So unless I use compressed natural gas it is going to cost more to operate than charging my batteries? I've never checked my charger efficiency but I thought it was pretty good. And I'm still thinking about the motor controller. You did mention that the output from the thermionic device could be controlled? But I need to look further into my motor controller in order to ask an intelligent question.
Solving the limited range issue is still a major benefit. And I did notice my neighbor's propane barbeque tank which might be safer, more convenient to obtain, fit to a burner, and refill than a kerosene tank. But will things all physically fit together in the battery compartment.
Re hydrogen option. Naa, I need to focus on something that is a straight forward conversion without any safety questions from the local authorities when I apply for the low speed vehicle street permit.
A link to your AC modulation idea? Just that alone.ohiovr wrote:I've had some correspondence with Dr. Mannhart. He says that my AC modulation idea is feasable. If it could work it would be a game changer in a lot of areas. You could have an electromotive car that didn't have a separate and expensive motor controller. It could make refining steel and metals with inductance heaters commonplace. And a redonculously powerful audio amplifier. A solar engine based on a thermoelectronic converter could make grid synchronized AC current without those super expensive inverters.
At the most primitive level, you could produce hydrogen during the day and store it in a silo to burn at night or whenever you need more power. The overall efficiency is still more than 20%!
Batteries haha
Here is a link to the idea:MSimon wrote:A link to your AC modulation idea? Just that alone.ohiovr wrote:I've had some correspondence with Dr. Mannhart. He says that my AC modulation idea is feasable. If it could work it would be a game changer in a lot of areas. You could have an electromotive car that didn't have a separate and expensive motor controller. It could make refining steel and metals with inductance heaters commonplace. And a redonculously powerful audio amplifier. A solar engine based on a thermoelectronic converter could make grid synchronized AC current without those super expensive inverters.
At the most primitive level, you could produce hydrogen during the day and store it in a silo to burn at night or whenever you need more power. The overall efficiency is still more than 20%!
Batteries haha
Sorry.. I would love to buy one also but no one has made it yet. The thermoelectronic effect was just announced in December 2013. Dr. Mannhart says he is looking for a commercial company with interest in the technology. I don't have the funds to develop it myself yet.paperburn1 wrote:but I can not buy one yet?