US3727083A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
All bonded thermionic energy converter
Assignee: United States Atomic Energy Commission
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Filing: 1970-09-01
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Granted: 1973-04-10
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Expires: 1990-09-01
Abstract
Abstract A thermionic fuel element for electrical power generation having an all bonded sheath-sheath insulator collector assembly. The thus bonded assembly is provided with at least one internal groove by which an emitter intercell sub-assembly is bonded to the first-mentioned assembly. The subassembly is constructed to provide the required electric interconnections between a series of interconnected collector-emitter units or cells as well as providing passageways for an alkali metal vapor located in an interelectrode space, while providing proper spacing between the collector and emitter units thereof. In addition each subassembly includes means which readily allows the sub-assembly to be inserted, aligned and secured to the first-mentioned assembly while supporting the emitter, maintaining the emitter to collector gap, and providing a heat transfer path to the firstmentioned assembly.
Inventors
- 👤 R Hobson
- 👤 J Dunlay
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 19:09
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J45/00; G; G21; G21C; G21C3/00; G21C3/40; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
238 words
A thermionic energy converter comprising a bonded outer assembly and at least one inner sub-assembly bonded within said outer assembly for securing said sub-assembly therein and providing operative electrical connection therebetween; said bonded outer assembly comprising a plurality of layers of tubelike materials including at least one inner collector tube-like means; each of said inner sub-assemblies comprising an emitter unit and an intercell unit, said emitter unit including a heat source therefor, said intercell unit including a pair of disclike means constructed of electrically conductive material having an outer portion located adjacent said inner collector tube-like layer of said outer assembly, an insulator means located intermediate said pair of disc-like means, at least one of said pair of disc-like means being provided with bonding material in the peripheral portion thereof to effect bonding thereof to said inner collector tube-like means upon raising said bonded outer assembly to bonding temperatures; means for electrically interconnecting one of said disc-like means to said emitter unit and in spaced relationship with respect to said pair of disc-like means, means retained by said pair of disc-like means for locating said inner sub-assembly wIthin said outer assembly, said pair of disc-like means and said insulator means being provided with passageways therethrough, said emitter unit being secured to said intercell unit so as to define a space between said emitter unit and said outer assembly and in communication with said passageways of said intercell unit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
238 words
A thermionic energy converter comprising a bonded outer assembly and at least one inner sub-assembly bonded within said outer assembly for securing said sub-assembly therein and providing operative electrical connection therebetween; said bonded outer assembly comprising a plurality of layers of tubelike materials including at least one inner collector tube-like means; each of said inner sub-assemblies comprising an emitter unit and an intercell unit, said emitter unit including a heat source therefor, said intercell unit including a pair of disclike means constructed of electrically conductive material having an outer portion located adjacent said inner collector tube-like layer of said outer assembly, an insulator means located intermediate said pair of disc-like means, at least one of said pair of disc-like means being provided with bonding material in the peripheral portion thereof to effect bonding thereof to said inner collector tube-like means upon raising said bonded outer assembly to bonding temperatures; means for electrically interconnecting one of said disc-like means to said emitter unit and in spaced relationship with respect to said pair of disc-like means, means retained by said pair of disc-like means for locating said inner sub-assembly wIthin said outer assembly, said pair of disc-like means and said insulator means being provided with passageways therethrough, said emitter unit being secured to said intercell unit so as to define a space between said emitter unit and said outer assembly and in communication with said passageways of said intercell unit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
The thermionic energy converter defined in claim 1, wherein said plurality of layers of tube-like materials of said bonded outer assembly comprises; comprises: outer sheath tube-like means, at least said one inner collector tube-like means, and an insulator tube-like means intermediate said outer sheath tube-like means and said inner collector tube like means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The thermionic energy converter defined in claim 2, wherein said bonded outer assembly includes a plurality of inner collector tube-like means spaced in series relationship one with another.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The thermionic energy converter defined in claim 3, wherein a plurality of said inner sub-assemblies are positioned within said bonded outer assembly, each of said inner sub-assemblies being fixedly secured to an adjacent pair of said spaced inner collector tube-like means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
62 words
The thermionic energy converter defined in claim 1, wherein said bonded outer assembly includes a plurality of said inner collector tube-like means spaced in series relationship with one another, and includes a plurality of said inner sub-assemblies positioned within said bonded outer assembly, each of said inner sub-assemblies being fixedly secured to an adjacent pair of said spaced inner collector tube-like means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
The thermionic energy converter defined in claim 5, wherein said plurality of layers of tube-like material of said bonded outer assembly includes in addition to said plurality of inner collector tube-like means, an insulator tube-like means adjacent said inner collector tube-like means, and an outer sheath tube-like means adjacent said insulator tube-like means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
105 words
The thermionic energy converter defined in claim 1, wherein said locating means retained by said pair of disc-like means comprises a plurality of rotatably mounted locating insulator means, each of said locating insulator means including a flat side portion, whereby rotation of said locating insulator means such that said flat side portions thereof are adjacent said inner collector tube-like means allows said sub-assembly to be positioned within said outer assembly, and rotation of said locating insulator means such that said flat side portions thereof are turned to at least 90* with respect to said inner collector tube-like means retains said sub-assembly in said outer assembly.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
67 words
The thermionic energy converter defined in claim 1, wherein said means for electrically interconnecting one of said disc-like means to said emitter means comprises a plurality of pin-like means of electrically conductive material fixedly secured to said one of said disc-like means and said emitter means, said pin-like means extending through said passageways in said insulator means and in the other of said pair of disc-like means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
59 words
The thermionic energy converter defined in claim 1, wherein said emitter means includes an aligning pin-like means in the end opposite the end thereof adjacent said pair of disc-like means, and wherein a socket-like means is operatively positioned in and insulated from said pair of disc-like means adapted for accepting an aligning pin-like means of an adjacent emitter means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-04-09 | 1976-10-09 | 1977-04-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-09 | 1980-10-09 | 1981-04-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-09 | 1984-10-09 | 1985-04-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |