THERMIONIC CONVERSION POWER REACTOR Russian patent published in 1995 - IPC

FIELD: nuclear reactors; thermionic conversion power reactors used as power supplies of nuclear power plants in aerospace vehicles. SUBSTANCE: known thermionic conversion power reactor that has solid hydrogen-containing moderator in other form of vessel-mounted cylindrical mass whose holes accommodate power-generating channels arranged along its axis and side reflector in the form of moderator-reflecting and coaxially arranged cylindrical ring built up of separate parts is provided with annular gap over entire surface between vessel and side reflector parts formed by joining vessel and side reflector parts through spacing structural members; gap communicates with pace surrounding reactor and is evacuated after nuclear power plant is put into space. EFFECT: reduced temperature gradient over moderator mass radius as reactor is brought to full power and, so, improved reliability and life expectancy of reactor due to increase in thermal resistance between moderator mass and side reflector which equalizes temperature over moderator radius when reactor is brought to full power, prevents cracking of moderator mass, damage to hydrogen-containing coating, hydrogen leakage from moderator, reduction in reactivity margin of reactor, and improved service life. 1 dwg