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Thermionic energy converters

Patent ·
OSTI ID:862899

A thermionic device for converting nuclear energy into electrical energy comprising a tubular anode spaced from and surrounding a cylindrical cathode, the cathode having an outer emitting surface of ruthenium, and nuclear fuel on the inner cylindrical surface. The nuclear fuel is a ceramic composition of fissionable material in a metal matrix. An axial void is provided to collect and contain fission product gases.

Assignee:
United States of America as represented by United States Energy (Washington, DC)
Patent Number(s):
US 4040903
Application Number:
05/502,420
OSTI ID:
862899
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Related Subjects

/376/310/976/
anode
anode space
axial
cathode
ceramic
ceramic composition
collect
composition
comprising
contain
converters
converting
cylindrical
cylindrical cathode
cylindrical surface
device
electrical
electrical energy
emitting
emitting surface
energy
energy converter
fission
fission product
fissionable
fissionable material
fuel
gases
inner
inner cylindrical
material
matrix
metal
metal matrix
node space
nuclear
nuclear energy
nuclear fuel
outer
product
product gas
product gases
provided
ruthenium
spaced
surface
surrounding
thermionic
thermionic device
tubular
tubular anode
void