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Title: Spring structure for a thermionic converter emitter support arrangement

Abstract

A support is provided for use in a thermionic 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. 7 figs.

Inventors:
Issue Date:
Research Org.:
GA Technologies Inc
OSTI Identifier:
7207676
Patent Number(s):
5096167
Application Number:
PPN: US 7-533555
Assignee:
Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:  
AC03-86SF16298
Resource Type:
Patent
Resource Relation:
Patent File Date: 5 Jun 1990
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION; SUPPORTS; DESIGN; THERMIONIC EMITTERS; CONFIGURATION; THERMIONIC CONVERTERS; DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS; MECHANICAL STRUCTURES; NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems; 300403* - Thermionic Converters- Materials, Components, & Auxiliaries

Citation Formats

Allen, D T. Spring structure for a thermionic converter emitter support arrangement. United States: N. p., 1992. Web.
Allen, D T. Spring structure for a thermionic converter emitter support arrangement. United States.
Allen, D T. Tue . "Spring structure for a thermionic converter emitter support arrangement". United States.
@article{osti_7207676,
title = {Spring structure for a thermionic converter emitter support arrangement},
author = {Allen, D T},
abstractNote = {A support is provided for use in a thermionic 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. 7 figs.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Mar 17 00:00:00 EST 1992},
month = {Tue Mar 17 00:00:00 EST 1992}
}

Patent:
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