Spring structure for a thermionic converter emitter support arrangement

Patent · Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1992

OSTI ID:868188

Allen, Daniel T ^[1]

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1. La Jolla, CA

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 (34) is supported by a spring structure (44) that includes a pair of Belleville springs, and the spring structure is supported by a support structure (42) 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 (74) at the front end, a larger metal main support (76) at the rear end that is attached to the housing, and with a ceramic layer (80) 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 (120) captured between the Belleville springs.

• Research Organization: GA Technologies Inc
• DOE Contract Number: AC03-86SF16298
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 5096167
• OSTI ID: 868188
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

spring
structure
thermionic
converter
emitter
support
arrangement
provided
contact
surrounding
collector
allowing
move
axially
temperature
changes
34
supported
44
pair
belleville
springs
42
fixed
housing
form
sandwich
metal
spring-engaging
element
74
front
larger
main
76
rear
attached
ceramic
layer
80
bonded
hot
isostatic
pressing
loose
wafer
120
captured
metal main
temperature change
thermionic converter
temperature changes
metal element
support structure
hot isostatic
isostatic pressing
support arrangement
main support
belleville springs
spring structure
ceramic layer
surrounding collector
spring-engaging element
loose wafer
metal spring-engaging
move axially
larger metal
emitter support
converter emitter
metal spring
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