Joseph Yater -- Random Energy Fluctuation Converter -- Reversible Thermoelectric Generator ![](0logo.gif) **[rexresearch.com](../index.htm)** --- **Joseph C. YATER** **Random Energy Fluctuation Converter** --- **[Joseph C. Yater, "Power Conversion of Energy Fluctuations" ; *Phys. Rev.* A 10 ( October 1974 ) : 1361-1369](yater1.pdf)** **( 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. **[E. Eernisse : "Comments on 'Power Conversion of Energy Fluctuations" ; *Physical Review A* 18 (2) : 767-772 ( August 1978 )](yater2.pdf)** **( PDF )** **[Joseph Yater ( Energy Unlimited Inc. ) : Reversible Energy Fluctuation Converter](yater3.pdf) ( PDF )** **[A.L. Hedrich : Final Technical Review : Power Conversion of Energy Fluctuations" ( 2 June 1976 )](yater4.pdf) ( PDF )** **[Prepared Statement of Joseph Yater](yater10.pdf) ( PDF )** **[Energy Unlimited Inc Prospectus](yater5.pdf) ( PDF )** **[Walter M. Hollister : Invention Evaluation -- Power Conversion of Energy Fluctuations](yater6.pdf) ( PDF )** **[Joseph C. Yater : Resumee](yater7.pdf) ( PDF )** **[Tom Entham : "Bureauceacy Keeps Energy Tool Untested" : *San Francisco Sunday Examiner & Chronicle* ( 1 July 1979 ), A-14](yater8.pdf) ( PDF )** --- **** ***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 --- **** ***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. --- **** **[Converting Solar Energy into Electricity: A Major Breakthrough](yater9.pdf) ( 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](4004.htm)** **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. ![](4004-1a.jpg) ... ![](4004-3a.jpg) --- **[USP # 5470395](5470.htm)** **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. ![](5470-1.jpg) ... ![](5470-3.jpg) ... ![](5470-6.jpg) --- **[USP # 5623119](5623.htm)** **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. ![](5623-16a.jpg) ---