US3267308A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermionic energy converter
Assignee: RCA Corp
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Filing: 1963-07-09
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Granted: 1966-08-16
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Expires: 1983-07-09
Abstract
No abstract record available.
Inventors
- 👤 Karl G Hernqvist
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 00:50
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J45/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
A THERMIONIC ENERGY CONVERTER COMPRISING AN ENVELOPE CONTAINING AN IONIZABLE ALKALI METAL VAPOR, A THERMIONIC CATHODE, AND AN ANODE CLOSE TO SAID CATHODE; (A) SAID CATHODE BEING ADAPTED TO BE HEATED TO AN OPERATING TEMPERATURE, BETWEEN 1000 AND 2500* K., AT WHICH THE EFFECTIVE WORK FUNCTION OF THE EMISSIVE SURFACE THEREOF IS BELOW THE IONIZATION POTENTIAL OF SAID VAPOR; (B) SAID ANODE BEING ADAPTED TO BE COOLED TO AN OPERATING TEMPERATURE BELOW THAT OF SAID CATHODE AT WHICH ITS EFFECTIVE WORK FUNCTION IS BELOW THAT OF SAID EMISSIVE SURFACE; (C) SAID CATHODE EMISSIVE SURFACE COMPRISING AN ARRAY OF RECESSES OPEN TOWARD SAID ANODE; (D) THE WIDTH AND DEPTH OF SAID RECESSES BEING LARGE COMPARED TO THE MINIMUM SPACING BETWEEN SAID CATHODE AND SAID ANODE.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
124 words
A THERMIONIC ENERGY CONVERTER COMPRISING AN ENVELOPE CONTAINING AN IONIZABLE ALKALI METAL VAPOR, A THERMIONIC CATHODE, AND AN ANODE CLOSE TO SAID CATHODE; (A) SAID CATHODE BEING ADAPTED TO BE HEATED TO AN OPERATING TEMPERATURE, BETWEEN 1000 AND 2500* K., AT WHICH THE EFFECTIVE WORK FUNCTION OF THE EMISSIVE SURFACE THEREOF IS BELOW THE IONIZATION POTENTIAL OF SAID VAPOR; (B) SAID ANODE BEING ADAPTED TO BE COOLED TO AN OPERATING TEMPERATURE BELOW THAT OF SAID CATHODE AT WHICH ITS EFFECTIVE WORK FUNCTION IS BELOW THAT OF SAID EMISSIVE SURFACE; (C) SAID CATHODE EMISSIVE SURFACE COMPRISING AN ARRAY OF RECESSES OPEN TOWARD SAID ANODE; (D) THE WIDTH AND DEPTH OF SAID RECESSES BEING LARGE COMPARED TO THE MINIMUM SPACING BETWEEN SAID CATHODE AND SAID ANODE.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1969-08-15 | 1970-02-14 | 1970-08-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1973-08-15 | 1974-02-14 | 1974-08-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1977-08-15 | 1978-02-14 | 1978-08-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |