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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

NUCLEAR REACTOR AND THERMIONIC FUEL ELEMENT THEREFOR

Patent ·
OSTI ID:4129237

The patent relates to the direct conversion of fission heat to electricity by use of thermionic plasma diodes having fissionable material cathodes, said diodes arranged to form a critical mass in a nuclear reactor. The patent describes a fuel element comprising a plurality of diodes each having a fissionable material cathode, an anode around said cathode, and an ionizable gas therebetween. Provision is made for flowing the gas and current serially through the diodes. (AEC)

Research Organization:
Originating Research Org. not identified
NSA Number:
NSA-18-006482
Assignee:
U.S. Atomic Energy Commission
Patent Number(s):
US 3113091
OSTI ID:
4129237
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English