FIELD: electronic engineering, possible use during loop testing of electro-generating channels.
SUBSTANCE: method for determining value of inter-electrode gap of electro-generating elements during loop testing of thermo-emitting electro-generating channels includes measuring, before beginning of tests, diameters of emitter, collector and inter-electrode gap, measuring temperatures of emitter and collector and estimation of value of inter-electrode gap. Electro-generating channel is transferred to short circuit mode, in cesium steam generator, pressure Pc1 of cesium is set to be equal or less than 0,03658 L0, where L0 - inter-electrode gap before beginning of tests. Stabilized value of current I1 [A] is recorded during time, not exceeding 0,75 n, seconds, where n - number of elements in channel, cesium steam pressure Pc2 is increased up to value, determined from expression Pc1/2<Pc2<0,03658L0, changes of current in time are recorded with recording of maximal value of changing speed, stabilized current value I2, amperes, is measured, time constant for transient on basis of filling of channel with cesium steam, while estimation of inter-electrode gap L is performed on basis of a certain expression.
EFFECT: increased precision.
3 dwg
