Cesium vapor thermionic current generator
An electron current generator is disclosed which includes a nonelectrical heat source, a heat pipe having its first end in thermal relationship with the heat source, and a second end projecting upwardly therefrom and constituting a thermionic emitter enclosed within a chamber containing an alkali metal vapor at a substantially reduced atmospheric pressure. A substantial portion of the chamber wall constitutes a thermionic collector which is cooled by an appropriate cooling means to enhance current generation. A body of liquid metal is disposed between the heat source and heat pipe as a thermal stabilizing agent while a solid state diode is arranged in a forward bias situation in the electrical output of the generator to stabilize the voltage thereby forming a constant voltage current generator.
- Assignee:
- IFI; EDB-82-040036
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4298768
- Application Number:
- TRN: 82-003699
- OSTI ID:
- 5774071
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: Filed date 13 Mar 1979; Other Information: PAT-APPL-020180
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
THERMIONIC CONVERTERS
DESIGN
ALKALI METALS
CESIUM
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
HEAT PIPES
HEAT SOURCES
LIQUID METALS
SEMICONDUCTOR DIODES
STABILIZATION
THERMIONIC COLLECTORS
THERMIONIC EMITTERS
TIN
TUNGSTEN
CURRENTS
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELEMENTS
FLUIDS
LIQUIDS
METALS
REFRACTORY METALS
SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
300401* - Thermionic Converters- Design & Development