Thermionic generator module with heat pipes

Patent · Tue Jun 15 04:00:00 EDT 1993

OSTI ID:6408656

Horner-Richardson, K; Ernst, D M

A thermionic converter module is described comprising: a first heat pipe with an annular casing which has a first surface located on an inside surface of the annular casing, at least part of the first surface of the casing of the first heat pipe having constructed upon it a thermionic converter emitter located so that heat will be transferred by conduction from the first heat pipe casing to the thermionic converter emitter; a second heat pipe with a casing which has a second surface, the second surface being located within the first surface of the annular casing of the first heat pipe so that it is surrounded by the first surface; a thermionic converter collector located so as to transfer heat by conduction to the second surface of the casing of the second heat pipe with the thermionic converter collector being adjacent to the thermionic converter emitter but being separated from the thermionic converter emitter by an inter electrode space; and end fitting structures located so that, with the thermionic converter collector and the thermionic converter emitter, they complete an enclosure around the inter electrode space and form an evacuated enclosure within which are located the thermionic converter collector and the thermionic converter emitter.

• Assignee: Thermacore, Inc., Lancaster, PA (United States)
• Patent Number(s): A; US 5219516
• Application Number: PPN: US 7-899273
• OSTI ID: 6408656
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
300401* -- Thermionic Converters-- Design & Development
CONVERSION
DESIGN
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ENERGY CONVERSION
ENERGY TRANSFER
HEAT PIPES
HEAT TRANSFER
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
THERMAL CONDUCTION
THERMIONIC COLLECTORS
THERMIONIC CONVERSION
THERMIONIC CONVERTERS
THERMIONIC EMITTERS