US3607631A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Moderated thermionic reactor core
Assignee: United States Atomic Energy Commission
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Filing: 1968-11-06
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Granted: 1971-09-21
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Expires: 1988-11-06
Abstract
Abstract A moderated thermionic core assembly has been provided which employs vapor chamber condenser-cooled stacked thermionic fuel elements. A cylindrical moderator block is provided with a plurality of radial wells drilled in an ordered array about the periphery of the moderator block. Each well is adapted to receive a tubular fuel element which includes two series-connected nuclear fueled thermionic converter elements having a neutral plasma maintained between the emitter and collector electrodes of each converter. Each fuel element includes a vapor chamber condenser which extracts excess heat from the collectors and transmits it to an external reflector from which the excess heat is radiated to space.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert R Hobson
- 👤 Robert N Scott
- 👤 Paul R Hill
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 21:54
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21D; G21D7/00; G21D7/04; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
A thermionic converter cell as set forth in claim 1 wherein said elongated tubular fuel element includes means defining an inner tube surrounding said converter elements, means defining an outer tube surrounding said inner tube in spaced relation forming an annulus therebetween, said annulus defining said vaporization region of said vapor chamber condenser, means defining an annular chamber at the exterior end of said fuel element, said inner and outer tubes being extended external of said moderator region and connected to said annular chamber in fluid communication therewith, said annular chamber comprising said condenser region of said vapor chamber condenser, and said means defining said annular chamber being electrically connected to said collector of the innermost converter element through said inner tube thereby providing said first exterior electrode.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
A thermionic converter cell as set forth in claim 2 wherein said tubular fuel elements further include a neutron reflector cylinder mounted in the outward extending end of said inner tube, means for electrically insulating said reflector from said inner tube, a cesium vapor supply tube extending inward of said fuel elements from said reservoir, said reflector having a central opening through which said cesium vapor supply tube extends, said reflector having an electrically conductive annular support disk rigidly connected to the inner extended end of said reflector to which the inward extended end of said supply tube is connected, and means for electrically connecting said annular support disk to said emitter of the outermost converter element thereby electrically connecting said cesium vapor supply tube in series with said converter elements to provide said second exterior electrode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A thermionic converter cell as set forth in claim 1 wherein said condensable vapor is sodium.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
128 words
A thermionic converter cell as set forth in claim 3 wherein said emitter structure includes a cylindrical can surrounding said fissile material therein, said emitter can being constructed of tungsten, said collector structure including a cylindrical can surrounding said emitter can in spaced relation therefrom, said collector being constructed of nickel and having a cesium vapor passageway in each end thereof for allowing said vapor to communicate with the regions between said emitter and collector to promote electron emission from said emitter, each of said collector cans being contained within said inner tube of said fuel element, means for electrically insulating each of said collectors, excluding said innermost converter element collector, from said inner tube, and said innermost converter element collector being connected directly to said inner tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A thermionic converter cell as set forth in claim 5 wherein said fissile material is enriched UO2.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
104 words
A thermionic converter cell as set forth in claim 5 wherein said means for electrically connecting said emitters and collectors in series includes an annular insulator disk disposed between each of said converter elements, a plurality of electrically connective support pins connecting the emitter of one converter to the collector of an adjacent converter element, each collector having openings at the end through which said pins extend from corresponding respective emitters larger than the diameter of said support pins to provide electrical insulation, an insulator sheath surrounding said outer tube of said fuel element for electrically insulating said fuel element from said moderator region.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A thermionic converter cell as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cylindrical moderator region is composed of zirconium hydride.
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) | 1974-09-20 | 1975-03-22 | 1975-09-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-20 | 1979-03-22 | 1979-09-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-20 | 1983-03-22 | 1983-09-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |