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A high-output energy converter of an output-improving thermionic generator, thermally connected to other generators without moving parts that utilize the residual energy from the thermionic generator. The thermionic generator comprises a rαultilayered vacuum diode, the layers of which are very thin

A high-output energy converter of an output-improving thermionic generator, thermally connected to other generators without moving parts that utilize the residual energy from the thermionic generator. The thermionic generator comprises a rαultilayered vacuum diode, the layers of which are very thin and the gaps between the layers are also thin and kept at a distance from one another by selectively flexible spacer elements. Piezo elements or heating elements can precisely adjust the height of the gaps.

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1. An energy converter comprising: a thermionic generator (TIG) for converting heat from a heat source into electrical energy, comprising:a number of electrodes which are attached with a gap relative to one another;selectively flexible spacer elements which are each connected to at least one of the

1. An energy converter comprising: a thermionic generator (TIG) for converting heat from a heat source into electrical energy, comprising:a number of electrodes which are attached with a gap relative to one another;selectively flexible spacer elements which are each connected to at least one of the electrodes for keeping the gaps between the electrodes at a desired distance; andat least one generator without moving parts which is directly connected to the thermionic generator having selectively flexible spacer elements for converting residual heat from the thermionic generator into electrical energy;wherein the TIG comprises a plurality of layers of electrodes connected in series, wherein each layer comprises two electrodes attached with one of the gaps relative to each other, of which one electrode is a collector and the other electrode an emitter. 2. The energy converter according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the spacer elements are provided with an electrically conductive layer for producing an electrical connection to an outer electrode, i.e. emitter, of the TIG. 3. The energy converter according to claim 1, further comprising a substrate to which the generator without moving parts and the thermionic generator are attached, wherein there are attached to the substrate piezo elements which are connected to the spacer elements connected to one or more of electrodes for adjusting the gap between the electrodes. 4. The energy converter according to claim 3, wherein there is attached to the spacer elements an electrical resistance layer with which the temperature, and thus the length of the spacer elements, can be adjusted for precisely adjusting the gap between the electrodes. 5. The energy converter according to claim 3, wherein the spacer elements comprise electrically conductive spacer elements and electrically insulating spacer elements. 6. The energy converter according to claim 5, wherein the conductive spacer elements are connected at one end to an outer electrode of the thermionic generator (TIG) and at an opposing end to current supply wires in the substrate. 7. The energy converter according to claim 5, wherein the conductive spacer elements are connected at one end to an outer electrode of the thermionic generator and at an opposing end to current supply wires in the warm side of the energy converter connected to the thermionic generator. 8. The energy converter according to claim 5, wherein the insulating spacer elements are connected at one end to one of the emitters of the thermionic generator and at an opposing end to one of the piezo elements. 9. The energy converter according to claim 5, wherein the insulating spacer elements are connected at one end to one of the emitters of the thermionic generator and at an opposing end to the substrate. 10. The energy converter according to claim 5, wherein the insulating spacer elements are connected at one end to one of the emitters of the thermionic generator and on the other side to the warm side of the energy converter connected to the thermionic generator. 11. The energy converter according to claim 1, wherein the thermionic generator is split into components and wherein the components are electrically connected in series and wherein there are present at least three conductive spacer elements per component and three insulating to provide clarity with respect to the intermediate layer. 12. The energy converter according to claim 1, further comprising a vacuum-tight housing which is attached around the generator without moving parts. 13. The energy converter according to claim 12, wherein an inner surface of the housing is at least partially provided with a reflective layer. 14. The energy converter according to claim 12, wherein the housing is provided with a cold window for heating with concentrated light an emitter, located closest to the cold window, of the thermionic generator, a focal point of the concentrated light being located in the cold window. 15. The energy converter according to claim 14, wherein the electrode located closest to the cold window is provided with an absorber layer. 16. The energy converter according to claim 12, wherein the housing can be evacuated via gas pipes coupled thereto. 17. The energy converter according to claim 12, wherein walls of the housing are provided with a layer comprising a material having a low emission coefficient. 18. The energy converter according to claim 17, wherein the material is aluminium, silver or gold or is provided with a thin layer of silver or gold. 19. The energy converter according to claim 1, wherein the emitter is doped to reduce heat radiation. 20. The energy converter according to claim 1, wherein the emitter is provided with a microstructure for reinforcing the thermionic emission. 21. The energy converter according to claim 20, wherein the microstructure comprises protuberances having a height of from approximately 10 to 500 nm. 22. The energy converter according to claim 1, wherein the collector is provided with an at least partially reflective layer. 23. The energy converter according to claim 22, wherein the reflective layer comprises a conductive oxide and/or gold. 24. The energy converter according to claim 1, wherein the electrodes of the TIG are provided with selectively flexible grooves. 25. The energy converter according to claim 3, wherein the substrate is coupled to a heat exchanger. 26. The energy converter according to claim 3, wherein the substrate is provided internally with one or more hollow spaces. 27. The energy converter according to claim 26, wherein the hollow spaces are connected to feed and discharge pipes with vacuum-tightness of from approximately 10−5 to 10−7 torrl/s. 28. The energy converter according to claim 1, further comprising a burner which is provided in proximity to the thermionic generator with a radiation emitter. 29. The energy converter according to claim 28, wherein the burner is coupled to a recuperator for the preheating of inlet gases with the heat of outlet gases from the burner. 30. The energy converter according to claim 29, wherein the recuperator comprises a transparent light opening for the passage of concentrated sunlight to the radiation emitter of the burner, a focal point of the concentrated sunlight being located in the transparent light opening. 31. The energy converter according to claim 30, further comprising means for introducing into the light opening a portion of the inlet air from the burner in order to act as a heat curtain. 32. The energy converter according to claim 30, further comprising an electrolysis apparatus for the conversion of unused electrical energy from solar heat into hydrogen and the storing thereof in a storage vessel for the reconversion thereof into electrical energy at a later point in time by the burner of the energy converter. 33. The energy converter according to claim 30, further comprising an electrolysis apparatus for converting unused electrical energy from solar heat into hydrogen, for returning the hydrogen to a gas supply network from which the burner obtains its fuel. 34. The energy converter according to claim 1, further comprising a boiler or a space for the heating thereof with residual heat from the substrate of the converter. 35. A generator provided with at least one energy converter according to claim 1.