July 26, 1966 C. W.
GEER 3,263,101
PHOTO-CATHODE SOLAR-ENERGY CONVERTER
Filed Jan. 30, 196
INVENTOR.
C42-4e M2 6222
BY Yeyl
4777,224291
United States Patent Office 3,263,101
Patented July 26, 1966
1. 2
3263,101 The described solar-energy converter is designed for
PHOTO-CATHODE Sói ARENERGY CONVERTER use in a vacuum, as is found in outer space. Where the
Charles Willard Geer, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor to converter is used as a power supply for an earth satellite,
Hoffman Electronics Corporation, a corporation of the converter will be mounted to the exterior of the satel
California 5 lite and it will be necessary to protect cathode 11 from
Filed Jan. 30, 1961, Ser. No. 85,715 oxidation while the converter is in the earth's atmosphere
14 Claims. (Cl. 310-4) prior to launching of the satellite. To this end, cathode
11 can be coated with naphthalene, which will protect the
The present invention relates to solar-energy convert cathode from oxygen until the satellite is sent into outer
ers, and more particularly to photo-cathode Solar-energy 10 Space. When the satellite reaches outer space, the
converters capable of efficient operation in outer space. naphthalene evaporates, exposing the cathode. If the
Photo-cathode solar-energy converters that are in pres converter is to be used in the earth's atmosphere, cathode
ent use require large anodes in the shape of solid plates 11 can be sealed within anode 12 by a plate glass.
that can trap electrons emitted from the cathode. The The described solar-energy converter can utilize ultra
bigger the anode, the more electrons it can capture, but violet light, as well as visible light. Ultraviolet-light
the larger the shadow that the anode casts upon the cath photons cause the electrons to be emitted from the cathode
ode. That is, when the anode is made larger, the re with about twice as much voltage as does visible light.
sulting larger shadow that it casts eliminates any gain in The described photo-cathode solar-energy converter op
potential. Attempts have been made to make the anode erates almost as efficiently as photo-voltaic, or solar cells
out of meshed screens, which are not opaque to solar 20 do, since there may be as many as ten electrons emitted
energy, but such anode screens do not trap electrons very for each one hundred photons incident upon cathode 11.
efficiently. The voltage output of the converter shown in FIGURE 1
It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to is approximately 2 volts for the visible light spectrum,
provide a novel photo-cathode solar-energy converter. which output is approximately five times higher than that
It is another object of the present invention to provide of solar cells. Another important advantage over solar
a photo-cathode solar-energy converter having a large cells is that an additional radiator for heat dissipation is
area anode that efficiently traps electrons without casting not needed.
a shadow upon the cathode. FIGURE 2 shows how a plurality of solar-energy con
According to the present invention, a solar-energy con verters, each like the one described in FIGURE 1, can
verter comprises a large-area cathode lying in a plane 30 be connected together to obtain large-area solar-energy
parallel to that of the incident solar energy. The anode converter 41. Open wire screen cover 45 is provided so
is a large area collector curved so as to reflect incident. that trough-shaped anodes 12, 22, 21, and 51 will capture
Sunlight towards the cathode while trapping electrons the maximum number of the electrons that are emitted
emitted by the cathode. by planar cathodes 11, 52, 53, and 54, respectively. Each
The features of the present invention which are believed cathode is shown extending the length of its respective
to be novel are set forth with particularity in the ap trough-shaped anode. Screen cover 45 is electrically
pended claims. The present invention, both as to its or
ganization and manner of operation, together with further connectedfield to the anodes in order to establish a sym
objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood metrical around the cathode, so as to decrease the
number of electrons able to leave the system. Since
by reference to the following description, taken in con 40 screen cover 45 can be made of any metal wire having a
nection with the accompanying drawings, in which: high work function, such as nickel, and is open mesh, it
FIGURE 1 is a sectional view of a solar-energy con maintains the field gradient within the device at an even
verter in accordance with the present invention. level, while allowing the solar energy to pass through.
FIGURE 2 is an isometric view of a plurality of solar The incident solar energy falls upon the solid metal
energy converters in accordance with the present inven
tion. 45 anodes and is reflected to the cathodes. The device
Referring now to the drawings, FIGURE 1 shows shown in FIGURE 2 does not require a radiator for heat
cathode 11 electrically connected to anode 12 through dissipation, in spite of the fact that its efficiency may be
load resistor 13. Anode 12 is trough shaped in cross as high as 10%, which is almost as high as that of Solar
cells.
Section. Anode 12 can be parabolic, but need not be, While particular embodiments of the present invention
since cathode 1 is planar, and a focal point is not needed. 50 have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those
Cathode 11 is positioned perpendicular to the bottom of skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be
trough-shaped anode 12 and is electrically isolated there made without departing from this invention in its broader
from by insulation 14. Anodes 21 and 22 are parts of aspects, and, therefore, the aim in the appended claims is
adjoining solar-energy converters and can be electrically to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within
connected to anode 12 either in series or parallel, as de 55
sired. the true spirit and scope of this invention.
I claim:
Cathode 11 is a photocathode and can be made of silver 1. A solar energy converter comprising: a plurality of
coated with an oxide layer on both sides. A layer of a trough-shaped anodes electrically coupled together; a plu
photo-emissive material such as cesium should then be rality of planar cathodes, each cathode being positioned
added. Cathode 11 should be a few mils in thickness. 60 perpendicular to the bottom of one of said trough-shaped
Anode 12 can be made of polished aluminum having high anodes and extending along the length thereof; and in
reflectivity and a high work function. sulation means for preventing said cathodes from being
Solar energy, represented by arrows 31, incident upon electrically short circuited by said anodes, each of said
concave anode 12 is reflected onto cathode 11. Since anodes being curved so as to be able to reflect incident
cathode 11 is a photocathode having a low work function, 65 Solar energy towards its associated cathode while trapping
it emits electrons which are captured by anode 12. As electrons emitted by said associated cathode.
can be seen in FIGURE 1, anode 12 casts no shadow upon 2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said con
cathode 11, which lies in the same plane as the incident verter operates most efficiently when said cathodes lie in
solar energy. Yet, anode 12 is sufficiently large to act a plane parallel to that of said incident solar energy.
both as an effective solar-energy reflector and as an elec 70 3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 in which each of
tron collector. said anodes is made of a metal having a high reflectivity.
3,263,101
3 4
plurality of planar cathodes, each cathode being positioned
4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 in which each of perpendicular
said cathodes is coated with an oxide layer and a photo to the bottom of one of said trough-shaped
emissive material. anodes and extending along the length thereof; insulation
5. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 in which each of 5 means for preventing said cathodes from being electric
ally short circuited by said anodes, each of said anodes
said anodes is parabolic in configuration.
6. Apparatus as defined in claim 5 in which said cath being curved so as to be able to reflect incident solar energy.
odes are adapted for coupling to an external load. towards its associated cathode while trapping electrons
7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6 in which said cath emitted by said associated cathode; and a mesh screen
odes are coated with naphthalene. - positioned above said anodes and electrically connected
8. Apparatus as defined in claim 7 including, in addi 0 thereto so as to prevent the development of a field
gradient which would cause said electrons to avoid said
tion, a mesh screen suspended above said anodes and elec
trically connected thereto so as to prevent the development anodes.
of a field gradient which would cause said electrons to 14. A solar-energy converter comprising: a trough
avoid said anodes. shaped anode; a planar cathode positioned perpendicular
* 9. A solar-energy converter comprising: a trough 5 to the bottom of said trough-shaped anode and extending
shaped anode; a planar cathode positioned perpendicular along the length thereof; insulation means for preventing
to the bottom of said trough-shaped anode and extending said cathode from being electrically short circuited by
along the length thereof; and insulation means for pre said anode, said anode being curved so as to be able to
venting said cathode from being electrically short cir reflect incident solar energy towards said cathode while
cuited by said anode, said anode being curved so as to be 20. trapping electrons emitted by said cathode, and said con
verter operating most efficiently when said cathode lies
able to reflect incident solar energy towards said cathode
while trapping electrons emitted by said cathode, and said in a plane parallel to that of said incident solar energy; a
converter operating most efficiently when said cathode" mesh screen positioned above said anode and electrically
lies in a plane parallel to that of said incident solar energy. connected thereto so as to prevent the development of a
10. Apparatus as defined in claim 9 in which said anode 25 field gradient which would cause said electrons to avoid
is made of a metal having a high reflectivity and said said anodes.
cathode is coated with a photo-emissive material. References Cited by the Examiner
11. Apparatus as defined in claim 10 including, in addi
tion, a mesh screen suspended above said anode and elec UNITED STATES PATENTS
trically connected thereto so as to prevent the develop 30 1,934,437 11/1933 Lucas ------------- 313-94
ment of a field gradient which would cause said electrons 2,013,095 9/1935 Friend ------------- 313-313;
to avoid said anode. 2,518,048 8/1950. Moore -------------- 33-94
12. A radiant energy converter comprising: a trough 2,907,318: 10/1959 Awot -------------- 126-271
shaped anode; and a planar cathode positioned perpen
dicular to the bottom of said trough-shaped anode and ex 35 OTHER REFERENCES
tending along the length thereof, said cathode being elec
trically insulated from said anode so as to prevent a short byRCA Technical Notes (Plate Anode for Phototubes),
Engstrom et al., RCA Tn. No. 270, June 1959.
circuit therebetween, and said anode being curved so as
to be capable of reflecting incident radiant energy towards HERMAN KARL SAALBACH, Primary Examiner.
said cathode while trapping electrons emitted by said. 40 ARTHUR GAUSS, Examiner.
cathode. -
13. A solar energy converter, comprising: a plurality P. J. SCHLESINGER, S. CHATMON, Jr.,
of trough-shaped anodes electrically coupled together; a Assistant Examiners.
