Improved thermionic energy converters

Technical Report · Sun Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1981

OSTI ID:5849966

Morris, J F

The efficiency of thermionic energy converters is improved by reducing plasma losses. This is achieved by internal distribution of tiny shorted cesium diodes driven by the thermal gradient between the primary emitter and the collector. The tiny, shorted diode distribution comprises protrusions of the emitter material from the main emitter face which contact the main collector face thermally but not electrically. The main collector ends of the protrusions are separated from the main collector by a thin layer of insulation, such as aluminum oxide. The diode effect will increase with the use of metals that adsorb cesium less readily for the main emitter ends of the tiny protrusions and metals that adsorb cesium more readily for the main collector ends of the protrusions.

• Research Organization: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Cleveland, OH (USA). Lewis Research Center
• OSTI ID: 5849966
• Report Number(s): NASA-CASE-LEW-12443-1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
300401* -- Thermionic Converters-- Design & Development
ALKALI METALS
CESIUM
DIODE TUBES
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRON TUBES
ELEMENTS
LOSSES
METALS
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
PERFORMANCE
PLASMA
THERMIONIC CONVERTERS
THERMIONIC DIODES
THERMIONIC EMITTERS
THERMIONIC TUBES