FIELD: conversion of thermal energy. SUBSTANCE: cesium vapor pressure in gap between electrodes is set equal to equilibrium temperature T2[K] determined by relation T2< (3740/(6,78-lg(6,10-3/L), where L is size of gap between electrodes, mm, and emitter operating temperature is selected by expression Tc[K], where Tc= (T2± 20K)•(0,71Φo-1,15), where Φo is vacuum operation of emitter material output, V. EFFECT: more effective conversion. 1 dwg
