THE DEVELOPMENT OF A LOW-WORK-FUNCTION COLLECTOR FOR THERMIONIC ENERGY CONVERTERS
Abstract
The construction and evaluation of a unique device for studying collectors of thermionic converters operating in the 'Ball-of-Fire' mode are described. The test vehicle contains one emitter and a rotating disc on which six collectors are mounted. Without disturbing the vacuum condition, each collector may in turn be brought adjacent to the emitter and the electrode combination can be operated as a converter. The emitter temperature, collector temperature, cesium reservoir temperature, and interelectrode spacing may all be independently varied and measured. A porous rhenium collector was found to be best in terms of both output voltage and output power. The stability of this kind of collector over a period of time was examined, and design recommendations are made for practical converters on the basis of the findings.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 30, 1964
- Accession Number
- AD0608913
Entities
People
- R. J. Hill
- W. B. Hall