Accession Number:

AD0612050

Title:

THERMIONIC CONVERTER LIFE AND REPEATABILITY INVESTIGATION.

Descriptive Note:

Final rept. 2 Jan - 31 Dec 64,

Corporate Author:

THERMO ELECTRON ENGINEERING CORP WALTHAM MASS

Personal Author(s):

• Kamien,C. Z.
• Weinstein,J. H.
• Rufeh,F.

Report Date:

1965-01-31

Pagination or Media Count:

138.0

Abstract:

Life-test equipment was designed and built to make possible testing of converters for long life as well as for cycling evaluation. Diagnostic facilities were incorporated in the design of the life-test station. The diagnostic facilities include equipment for the evaluation of gas evolution in the converters during life testing. A new technique was developed to analyze the minute quantities of gas which may evolve in the course of diode operation. Results from the outgassing of one converter are presented. The results indicate that copper members of the converter require about three times the outgassing period of any other materials. The predominant gas was found to be hydrogen for copper and hydrogen and carbon monoxide in equal amounts for the emitter and collector. Design details and life-limiting characteristics of the converter are described. These converters employ rhenium emitters operating at a design temperature of 2000K and a molybdenum collector at 940K. The converter components can be removed and replaced. Initial tests on the series 400 converters yielded an output of 30 watts at 0.7 volt 15 wattssq cm and 41.25 watts at 0.5 volt 20.6 wattssq cm.

Descriptors:

• VACUUM APPARATUS
• TEST EQUIPMENT
• ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
• CESIUM
• TEMPERATURE
• VOLTAGE
• COOLING
• ELECTRODES
• ELECTRON GUNS
• POWER SUPPLIES
• DIODES
• DEGASIFICATION
• COPPER
• RHENIUM
• MOLYBDENUM
• GAS ANALYSIS

Subject Categories:

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE