FIELD: thermal-to-electrical energy conversion; thermionic conversion power reactors. SUBSTANCE: thermionic power- generating assembly has series-connected power generating elements each incorporating ventilated fuel-emitter assembly in the form of cylinder with fuel core and emitter shell provided with two end lids; gas-outlet device whose outlet opposes cold trap is brought outside through first lid and second lid is joined with switching jumper that functions to electrically switch over emitter shell and collector of adjacent power-generating element; its cold trap is connected by means of at least one heat-conducting element with switching jumper and disposed in a spaced relation to second end lid of emitter shell. Cold trap may be made of same material as switching jumper. EFFECT: enhanced reliability of heat-to-power conversion. 2 cl, 1 dwg
