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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 127 records · Page 7
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1976

Low vapor pressure braze alloys for thermionic energy converters

Preliminary results in the use of some low-vapor-pressure braze alloys are reported; these are binary alloys of refractory metals (Th, Zr, Hf, Ru, Nb, Ir, Mo, Ta, Os, Re, W) with vapor pressures below 0.1 nanotorr at 1500 K or 10 microtorr at 2000 K. The melting point minima or eutectics of the alloys range from 1510 K to above 3000 K. Melting points and surface wetting on a Ta base are given. Results are presented on brazing of Ir, LaB6, Nb, Re, W, and ZrO2 (with 22 wt % Zr) into a Ta base or a Nb-1% Zr base. The results are applicable in electrode screening programs for thermionic cesium diodes.

Bair, V. L.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Low vapor pressure braze alloys for thermionic energy converters

The evaluation of cesium diode electrode materials called for braze fillers with very low vapor pressures and a wide range of melting points. Binary alloys of low vapor pressure refractory metals were chosen to fill this need. These alloys of Th, Zr, Hf, Ru, Nb, Ir, Mo, Ta, Os, Re, and W have reported melting point minima or eutectics from 1,510 K to above 3,000 K. Preliminary data are compiled on the use of several of these braze alloys. Melting points and surface wetting on a Ta base are given. Results of brazing Ir, LaB6, Nb, Re, W, and Zr-22 wt % ZrO2 materials into Ta and Nb-1% Zr bases are presented. Current braze usage is summarized.

Bair, V. L.↗
NASA NTRS1972

The diminiode: A research and development tool for nuclear thermionics

Diminiodes are fixed-or variable-gap cesium diodes with plane miniature emitters and guarded collectors. In addition to smallness, their relative advantages are simplicity, precision, ease of fabrication, interchangeability of parts, cleanliness, full instrumentation, ruggedness, and economy. With diminiodes and computers used in thermionic performance mapping, a thorough electrode screening program becomes practical.

Morris, J. F.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Computer acquired performance data from an etched-rhenium, molybdenum planar diode

Performance data from an etched-rhenium, molybdenum thermionic converter are presented. The planar converter has a guard-ringed collector and a fixed spacing of 0.254 mm (10 mils). The data were acquired by using a computer and are available on microfiche as individual or composite parametric current, voltage curves. The parameters are the temperatures of the emitter T sub E, collector T sub C and cesium reservoir T sub R. The composite plots have constant T sub E, and varying T sub C or T sub R, or both. The envelope and composite plots having constant I sub E are presented. The diode was tested at increments between 1500 and 2000 K for the emitter, 750 and 1100 K for the collector, and 540 and 640 K for the reservoir. In all, 774 individual current, voltage curves were obtained.

Manista, E. J.↗
NASA NTRS1974

High-efficiency, low-temperature cesium diodes with lanthanum-hexaboride electrodes

Lanthanum hexaboride electrodes in 1700 K cesium diodes may triple power outputs compared with those demonstrated for nuclear thermionic space applications. Still greater relative gains seem possible for emitters below 1700 K. Further improvements in cesium diode performance should result from the lower collector temperatures allowed for earth and low power space duties. Decreased temperatures will lessen thermal transport losses that attend thermionic conversion mechanisms. Such advantages will add to those from collector Carnot and electrode effects. If plasma ignition difficulties impede diode temperature reductions, recycling small fractions of the output power could provide ionization. So high efficiency, low temperature cesium diodes with lanthanum hexaboride electrodes appear feasible.

Morris, J. F.↗