Thermionic energy converters

The efficiency of thermionic energy converters is improved by internal distribution of tiny sorted cesium diodes driven by the thermal gradient between the primary emitter and the collector. The tiny, sorted diode distribution comprises protrusions of the emitter material from the main emitter face which contact the main collector face thermally but not electrically. The main collector ends of the protrusions are separated from the main collector by a thin layer of insulation, such as aluminum oxide. The shorted tiny diode distribution augments cesium ionization through internal thermal effects only within the main diode. No electrical inputs are required. This ionization enhancement by the distribution of the tiny shorted diodes not only reduces the plasma voltage drop but also increases the power output and efficiency of the overall thermionic energy converter

Binary alloys for refractory-metal brazing

Data on binary-metal eutectics and melting-point minimums have been assembled for use in selecting brazing filler compositions for refractory metals. Data are presented in four tables for ready reference. Brief discussion of problems and potentials of metallides is included in appendix

Thermocouples of molybdenum and iridium alloys for more stable vacuum-high temperature performance

Thermocouples providing stability and performance reliability in systems involving high temperatures and vacuums by employing a bimetallic thermocouple sensor are described. Each metal of the sensor is selected from a group of metals comprising molybdenum and iridium and alloys containing only those two metals. The molybdenum, iridium thermocouple sensor alloys provide bare metal thermocouple sensors having advantageous vapor pressure compatibility and performance characteristics. The compatibility and physical characteristics of the thermocouple sensor alloys result in improved emf, temperature properties and thermocouple hot junction performance

High thermal power density heat transfer apparatus providing electrical isolation at high temperature using heat pipes

This invention is directed to transferring heat from an extremely high temperature source to an electrically isolated lower temperature receiver. The invention is particularly concerned with supplying thermal power to a thermionic converter from a nuclear reactor with electric isolation. Heat from a high temperature heat pipe is transferred through a vacuum or a gap filled with electrically nonconducting gas to a cooler heat pipe. If the receiver requires gratr thermal power density, geometries are used with larger heat pipe areas for transmitting and receiving energy than the area for conducting the heat to the thermionic converter. In this way the heat pipe capability for increasing thermal power densities compensates for the comparative low thermal power densities through the electrically nonconducting gap between the two heat pipes

Thermionic Energy Conversion (TEC) topping thermoelectrics

Performance expectations for thermionic and thermoelectric energy conversion systems are reviewed. It is noted that internal radiation effects diminish thermoelectric figures of merit significantly at 1000 K and substantially at 2000 K; the effective thermal conductivity contribution of intrathermoelectric radiative dissipation increases with the third power of temperature. It is argued that a consideration of thermoelectric power generation with high temperature heat sources should include utilization of thermionic energy conversion (TEC) topping thermoelectrics. However TEC alone or TEC topping more efficient conversion systems like steam or gas turbines, combined cycles, or Stirling engines would be more desirable generally

The NASA thermionic-conversion (TEC-ART) program

The current emphasis is on out-of-core thermionic conversion (TEC). The additional degrees of freedom offer new potentialities, but high-temperature material effects determine the level and lifetime of TEC performance: New electrodes not only raise power outputs but also maintain them regardless of emitter-vapor deposition on collectors. In addition, effective electrodes serve compatibly with hot-shell alloys. Space TEC withstands external and internal high-temperature vaporization problems, and terrestrial TEC tolerates hot corrosive atmospheres outside and near-vacuum inside. Finally, reduction of losses between converter electrodes is essential even though rather demanding geometries appear to be required for some modes of enhanced operation

Spacecraft charging control by thermal, field emission with lanthanum-hexaboride emitters

Thermal, field emitters of lanthanum (or perhaps cerium) hexaboride (LaB6) with temperature variability up to about 1500K are suggested for spacecraft charging control. Such emitters operate at much lower voltages with considerably more control and add plasma-diagnostic versatility. These gains should outweigh the additional complexity of providing heat for the LaB6 thermal, field emitter

Comments on TEC trends

A technology assessment of thermionic energy conversion research and technology is presented