CONVERSION OF HEAT TO ELECTRICITY BY THERMIONIC EMISSION

Journal Article · Wed Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1959 · Journal of Applied Physics (U.S.)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1702391· OSTI ID:4252219

Wilson, V C

A heat engine and electric generator is described which is a vacuum or gas filled device containing a hot cathode and a cold anode. Heat at the cathode lifts electrons out of the cathode and to a high (negative) potential in the system. By collecting the electrons on a low work function surface, part of the potential energy may be retained to use in an external circuit. Thus part of the heat that lifts the electrons out of the cathode may be converted into electrical energy. Cs vapor filled tubes were built and tested as thermionic converters. A hot surface ionized part of the Cs vapor to neutralize space charge between the cathode and anode. The Cs vapor was also used to adjust the work functions of the two was also used to adjust the work functions of the two surfaces. A thermionic converter was built which converts 9.2% of the input heat into electricity. The output was 3.1 watts per cm/sup 2/ of cathode surface-0.78 v at 4.0 amp per cm/sup 2/ of cathode surface. (auth)

• Research Organization: General Electric Research Lab., Schenectady, N.Y.
• NSA Number: NSA-13-013767
• OSTI ID: 4252219
• Journal Information: Journal of Applied Physics (U.S.), Journal Name: Journal of Applied Physics (U.S.) Journal Issue: 4 Vol. Vol: 30; ISSN JAPIA
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ANODES
CATHODES
CESIUM
CIRCUITS
CONVERSION
ELECTRIC CHARGES
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
ELECTRICITY
ELECTRON TUBES
ELECTRONS
EMISSION
ENERGY
GASES
GENERATORS
HEAT TRANSFER
IONIZATION
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
PHYSICS AND MATHEMATICS
PLANNING
SPACE CHARGE
SURFACES
TESTING
THERMIONICS
VACUUM
VAPORS