Prediction of optimum performance of vacuum-diode configuration of thermionic engines

A basic analysis is given of the close-spaced vacuum diode operating as a direct converter of heat to electricity. This analysis is arranged to yield the characteristics of this engine when operating at maximum efficiency. Values of the various parameters are chosen to produce conservative design charts. For a fixed collector temperature and fixed collector work function, two representative design charts are given. These charts permit the designer to estimate very rapidly the optimum performance characteristics, such as efficiency, power to load, current, voltage, conductance of load, etc., as a function of emitter temperature, over a range from 1200° to 1700°K.