Abstract:
A high voltage glow discharge power source providing a plurality of glow discharges by gas ignition within an first elongated member, which member has a central bore along the axis of elongation of the member. A second member used in an E-gun application having a cavity with a soft vacuum in the cavity, and a third similar member parallel to the second member and a common interface boundary between the second and third members. Electrodes are positioned along the outer surface along the length of the first member to which current sources and sinks are connected in alternation. The second member has a common wire running its length with auxiliary wires connected to the common wire which are connected in turn to the sources and sinks. A DC power supply provides the energy for the current sources and sinks used with the first member. End plates covering the bore of the first member are transparent to optical frequencies. Glow discharges occur within the bore so that when a laser generator beam is diverted into the bore through the end plates, the gas in the bore being ignited to provide the glow discharges, effects a power gain in the laser signal at the other end of the bore. The E-gun configuration has its first member completely enclosed and provides a cathode within the second portion to extract positive ions through the common grid boundary between the second and third portions. The E-gun may be used in conjunction with a gas chamber coupled to the first portion filled with laser type gas which the E-gun ionizes, igniting the gas.
Abstract:
A thermionic converter is provided in which a protective silicon carbide shell is provided around the refractory metal emitter of the converter to shield it from the hot gases of a fossil fuel heat source and prevent oxidation of the emitter. The silicon carbide shell is spaced from the emitter so that stresses are not set up which would cause crackling or breaking of the shell. Heat transfer between the protective shell and the emitter is effected by means of a metal conductor which is liquid at the operating temperature of the converter. To obtain a long-life unit the silicon carbide shell is formed by uniformly depositing silicon carbide on the outer surface of a rotating, heated graphite mandrel.