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Joseph C Yater

Jane A Yater

Joan E Yater

A reversible thermoelectric converter includes first and second quantum well diodes and an electrical connection between the first and second quantum well diodes without a thermal barrier between them. Each quantum well diode includes first and second electrodes wherein electrons are quantized in discrete energy levels and a dielectric layer providing a potential barrier between the first and second electrodes. When electrons in the first quantum well diode have a higher temperature than the electrons in the second quantum well diode, electric voltage fluctuations resulting from transitions of the electrons between the energy levels in the first quantum well diode are coupled from the first quantum well diode to the second quantum well diode. The reversible thermoelectric converter can be operated for power conversion of thermal energy to electric energy, as a heat pump or a refrigerator, or as an amplifier. A planar array of reversible thermoelectric converter elements provides a desired output voltage and current.

Reversible thermoelectric converter

A thermal converter for transmitting electric energy fluctuations of small circuits at a higher temperature across a thermal barrier to small circuits at a lower temperature for high efficiency conversion of the electric energy fluctuations to electric power. Apparatus and circuits are disclosed which can transfer with a high coefficient of performance heat from the lower temperature circuits to the higher temperature circuits.

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Lincoln, MA, United States of America

Joseph C Yater