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Joseph C. YATER
Random Energy Fluctuation Converter
Joseph
C. Yater, "Power Conversion of Energy Fluctuations" ; Phys.
Rev. A 10 ( October 1974 ) : 1361-1369
( PDF, 637 KB )
See also: Phys. Rev. A 18 ( August 1978 ):767-772,
Phys. Rev. A 20 (August 1979 ) : 623-627, and
Phys. Rev. A 20 (October 1979 ) : 1614-1618.
Joseph Yater ( Energy Unlimited Inc. ) : Reversible Energy Fluctuation Converter ( PDF )
A.L. Hedrich : Final Technical Review : Power Conversion of Energy Fluctuations" ( 2 June 1976 ) ( PDF )
Prepared Statement of Joseph Yater ( PDF )
Energy Unlimited Inc Prospectus ( PDF )
Walter M. Hollister : Invention Evaluation -- Power Conversion of Energy Fluctuations ( PDF )
Joseph C. Yater : Resumee ( PDF )
http://prola.aps.org/abstract/PRA/v20/i2/p623_1
Phys. Rev. A 20, 623 - 627 (1979)
Rebuttal to "Comments on `Power Conversion of Energy Fluctuations' "
Joseph C. Yater
The conclusion predicting no practical power output from the power conversion of energy fluctuations is shown to be the result of fundamental errors in physics and in the theory of the master equation. One decisive error was to compute the output voltage by assuming that no energy for the electron barrier crossings of the cold diodes is supplied by the fluctuation energy of the heated diode. Another fundamental error in the physics was to assume that the total available fluctuation power is small, whereas it is orders of magnitude larger than the radiated power alone. Computations using the master equation corrected for errors in physics give a maximum output power that is within (91-99)% of the Carnot-cycle efficiency for this reversible cycle. Physically realizable diode design options are noted (thin film, quantum effect, thermionic) that can enable the high power output and high-efficiency potential of this approach to be achieved with small material cost
http://prola.aps.org/abstract/PRA/v20/i4/p1614_1
Phys. Rev. A 20, 1614 - 1618 (1979)
Relation of the Second Law of Thermodynamics to the Power Conversion of Energy Fluctuations
Joseph C. Yater
The relation of the second law of thermodynamics to the power conversion of fluctuation energy is analyzed using the master equation of the model for the conversion circuit. The performance equation for independent particles shows that the power-conversion performance is given by the second law both for classical and quantum-effect diodes. The relation of the second law to power-conversion models based on the theoretical and experimental results for diode performance for interacting particles exhibiting manybody, multiparticle, or other anomalous and excess-current effects is examined. The performance equations are derived from the master equation for models for interacting particles to determine the conditions required by the second law for power conversion. These conditions are given in terms of the distribution throughout the power-conversion circuit for all the parameters that determine the particle and multiparticle barrier-crossing probability such as the effective mass and spectral density functions. Circuits for spectroscopic measurements for power-conversion circuits with interacting particles are noted. Using selected experimental values for the diode nonlinearity factors in these circuits, open circuit voltages are computed that are not predicted by the second law of thermodynamics.
http://www.osti.gov/energycitations/product.biblio.jsp?osti_id=6612252
Converting Solar Energy into Electricity: A Major Breakthrough ( PDF )
Hearing before a Subcommittee of the Committee on Government
Operations, House of Representatives, Ninety-Fourth Congress,
Second Session, June 11, 1976
Publication Date 1976 Jan 01
OSTI Identifier OSTI ID: 6612252
Description/Abstract -- At this hearing, Joseph C.
Yater, Lincoln, Massachusetts, presented for review his
invention to convert heat or solar energy directly into a useful
form of electric energy. He described the technical features of
the device after briefly discussing the general nature of
fluctuation voltage, as this is basic to the invention. The
device of the invention first converts the thermal energy to
electric voltage fluctuations which in turn are relayed across a
thermal barrier to small rectifying circuits to produce with
high efficiency useful direct current output power. Mr. Yater
then listed the applications for this invention -- Earth solar
power, steam power plants, topping and tailing, space solar
power stations, and heat pumps or refrigerator. All applications
result in large energy savings. The circuit may be used in a
refrigerator made to reduce the input noise voltage and increase
the sensitivity of radio receivers and amplifiers. The
publication contains statements by Albert L. Hedrich, National
Bureau of Standards; Dr. Robert L. Hirsch, ERDA; and George P.
Lewett, National Bureau of Standards.^Additional information
submitted for the record are also included.^(MCW)
Publisher Committee on Government Operations,Washington, DC
US
Patent # 4,004,210
Reversible Thermoelectric Converter with
Power Conversion of Energy Fluctuations
Abstract -- 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.
... 
USP #
5470395
Reversible Thermoelectric Converter
Also published as: WO9320589 // US5356484
// JP7506219 // EP0634055 // EP0634055
1995-11-28
Abstract -- 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.
... 
... 
USP #
5623119
Reversible Thermoelectric Converter
1997-04-22
Inventor(s): YATER JOSEPH C [US]; YATER JANE A [US]; YATER
JOAN E [US]
Applicant(s): YATER JOSEPH C [US]; YATER JANE A [US];
YATER JOAN E [US]
Classification: - international: H01L35/00;
H01L35/32; H01L35/00; H01L35/32; (IPC1-7): H01L37/00 -
European: H01L35/00; H01L35/32
Also published as: US5889287 (A)
Abstract -- 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.
