| 摘要 |
976, 814. Nuclear reactors. GENERAL DYNAMICS CORPORATION. Nov. 14, 1961 [Nov. 15, 1960], No. 40754/61. Heading G6C. [Also in Division H1] A thermionic generator contains a carrier gas which is capable of reacting with cathode material deposited on the anode to form chemical compounds which vapourize into the plasma between the electrodes and are decomposed at the cathode, so that at least part of said cathode material is redeposited on the cathode. The generator preferably contains a readily ionizable material such as Cs, K, Rb or Na and a halogen and/or hydrogen as carrier gas, at a total operating pressure of 10<SP>-6</SP> to 2 mm of Hg. As shown, a thermionic generator 41 forms part of an atomic reactor fuel element 39 in which the nuclear fuel body comprises UC, with or without ZrC, and constitutes the electron emitter, or comprises UO 2 and is surrounded by a Ta or W jacket forming the cathode. In the former case, hydrogen is used as a carrier gas. The nickel or copper anode 43 is surrounded by cooling coils 63 and is connected to a stem 69 containing a pool of ionizable material, and supported in ceramic member 47. The cathode stem 53 is supported by a niobium coupler in ceramic insulator 45. The cathode and anode may operate at 1800 and 500‹C; respectively. |
