Thermionic converter emitter support arrangement

Patent · Tue May 22 00:00:00 EDT 1990

OSTI ID:6886663

Allen, D T

This patent describes a support provided for use in a therminonic converter to support an end of an emitter to keep it out of contact with a surrounding collector while allowing the emitter end to move axially as its temperature changes. The emitter end is supported by a spring structure that includes a pair of Belleville springs, and the spring structure is supported by a support structure fixed to the housing that includes the collector. The support structure is in the form of a sandwich with a small metal spring-engaging element at the front end, a larger metal main support at the rear end that is attached to the housing, and with a ceramic layer between them that is bonded by hot isostatic pressing to the metal element and metal main support. The spring structure can include a loose wafer captured between the Belleville springs.

• Assignee: Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC (USA)
• Patent Number(s): US 4927599; A
• Application Number: PPN: US 7-376071A
• OSTI ID: 6886663
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: 6 Jul 1988
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
THERMIONIC CONVERTERS
SUPPORTS
CERAMICS
DESIGN
FABRICATION
SPRINGS
THERMIONIC EMITTERS
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
MACHINE PARTS
MECHANICAL STRUCTURES
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
300403* - Thermionic Converters- Materials
Components
& Auxiliaries