ELECTRICAL ENERGY GENERATING UNIT Russian patent published in 2001 - IPC

FIELD: direct chemical-to- electrical energy conversion; chemical current supplies. SUBSTANCE: unit has electrode pairs each being, essentially, multilayer plate assembled of a solid and a gas-tight switch-over electrodes. Central part of plate is formed by solid electrode whose both sides are covered with semiconductor layer that functions as rectifying contact; gas-tight electrode is formed by semiconductor catalyst layer functioning as current-generating member and provided with current-carrying tracks. Conducting spacers inserted between plates complete series change-over circuit for solid and gas-tight electrodes of adjacent plates and set plates apart to provide clearance for gas mixture flow. There are through hollows in semiconductor layers and in gas-tight electrode to prevent shorting between spacer secured on one side of plates and solid electrode at points of electric contact with spacer. Plates may have through holes for passing some portion of working medium flow through plate-to-plate clearance; plates may be made of different geometry. EFFECT: enhanced power efficiency. 3 cl, 4 dwg