Patent · US Expired

Thermionic energy converters

US4040903A · kind A · utility

16Cited by
7References
2Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateSep 3, 1974
Grant dateAug 9, 1977
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 3, 1994

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02E30/30
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A thermionic device for converting nuclear energy into electrical energy comprising a tubular anode spaced from and surrounding a cylindrical cathode, the cathode having an outer emitting surface of ruthenium, and nuclear fuel on the inner cylindrical surface. The nuclear fuel is a ceramic composition of fissionable material in a metal matrix. An axial void is provided to collect and contain fission product gases.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.