THERMIONIC CONVERTER LIFE AND REPEATABILITY INVESTIGATION.
Abstract
Efforts during this quarter included emitter and collector work function measurements of five converters which are on life-test. No appreciable change in either the emitter or the collector work function was found with time of operation. Metallurgical and chemical analysis was performed on one converter (403 series) that failed after 90 hours of intermittent operation. Five converters are being life-tested on a steady-state basis, and all five have surpassed the contract goal of 5000 hours of continuous operation. At the end of the reporting period, two converters of the 402 series have passed 14,990 and 13,920 hours of operation, respectively, with corresponding power density outputs of 19.2 and 15.2 W/sq cm. Three converters of the 403 series have passed 8370, 7430 and 6590 hours of operation, respectively, with corresponding power density outputs of 17.5, 14.5 and 18.4 W/sq cm. Two converters of the 404 series were acceptance-tested. All converters operate at an output voltage of 0.7 volt and an emitter temperature of 2000 K.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 25, 1966
- Accession Number
- AD0801847
Entities
People
- L. Van Someren
- T. Athanis