RADIOISOTOPE TUBE HEATER

Technical Report · Tue Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1960

OSTI ID:4133794

An attempt was made to demonstrate the feasibility of heating a vacuum tube cathode using a radioisotope-fueled heat source. The objective was achieved when emission and amplification were obtained using a 300-c Po/sup 210/ heat source, encapsulated in a double stainless-steel container. to heat the cathode of a Type X-766 vacuum tube. The tube and heat source were assembled together and provided with a manual temperature-control system. Operation of the temperature-control system proved that the decreasing heat output of a decaying radioisotope can be controlled to obtain constant cathode temperature. Tube characteristics were obtained using an electrical simulated heater prior to final tests with the radioisotope fuel source installed. No correlation was obtained between the characteristics obtained with the two heating systems because the maximum cathode temperature achieved using the radioisotope was 640 deg C, while the cathode temperature for the electrically heated tests was 700 deg C. Various tube configurations were tested prior to final tests, and the conceptual design of an operational tube is presented. Further development is recommended, particularly with regard to cylindrical tube element designs for high-power radio- frequency amplification. (auth)

• Research Organization: Martin Co., Baltimore
• NSA Number: NSA-14-025656
• OSTI ID: 4133794
• Report Number(s): WADD-TR-60-246
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

CATHODES
CONTROL SYSTEMS
ELECTRON TUBES
ENGINEERING AND EQUIPMENT
HEATING
HIGH TEMPERATURE
OPERATION
PERFORMANCE
POLONIUM 210
POWER
QUANTITY RATIO
RADIO WAVES
RADIOACTIVITY
RADIOISOTOPES
SHELLS
STAINLESS STEELS
TEMPERATURE
VACUUM