US3678303A - Nuclear power source - Google Patents

Nuclear power source Download PDF

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Publication number
US3678303A
US3678303A US6373A US3678303DA US3678303A US 3678303 A US3678303 A US 3678303A US 6373 A US6373 A US 6373A US 3678303D A US3678303D A US 3678303DA US 3678303 A US3678303 A US 3678303A
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United States
Prior art keywords
body member
power source
nuclear power
mounting post
bearing plates
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Expired - Lifetime
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US6373A
Inventor
Kenneth J Round
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Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd AECL
Nordion Inc
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Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd AECL
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Assigned to NORDION INTERNATIONAL INC., A CORP. OF CANADA reassignment NORDION INTERNATIONAL INC., A CORP. OF CANADA ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: ATOMIC ENERGY OF CANADA LIMITED, A CORP. OF CANADA
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21H—OBTAINING ENERGY FROM RADIOACTIVE SOURCES; APPLICATIONS OF RADIATION FROM RADIOACTIVE SOURCES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; UTILISING COSMIC RADIATION
    • G21H1/00—Arrangements for obtaining electrical energy from radioactive sources, e.g. from radioactive isotopes, nuclear or atomic batteries
    • G21H1/02—Cells charged directly by beta radiation

Definitions

  • the present invention envisages the provision of an electrical power cell which may be manufactured with the minimum of close tolerance dimensions and which may be assembled quickly with utmost simplicity.
  • the latter advantageous feature permits assembly with a minimum use of remote manipulators.
  • the invention in one embodiment also provides for altering the output current level for different applications.
  • a nuclear power source comprising a hollow metallic body member, having a longitudinal axis and internal dimensions which are substantially constant along a major portion of said axis, vacuum-tight closure means for said body member at one end thereof, a high voltage insulator, vacuum sealed to the other end of said body, a mounting post extending from the outside of said high voltage insulator to the inside of said body member, said mounting post being parallel to said axis, said mounting post providing an output terminal, said body member providing an electrical return terminal, a plurality of isotope bearing plates disposed along and electrically connected to said mounting post inside said body, and first spacing means between isotope bearing plates, said isotope bearing plates being electrically insulated by said high voltage insulator and spaced from the interior of said body member, a pluralit
  • the nuclear electrical power generator is generally indicated at l.
  • the generator has a hollow cylindrical body configuration defined by a wall at least the interior dimensions of the cylinder being constant throughout the length of the cylinder.
  • the base 11 of the cylinder and the walls are formed of stainless steel but other materials of adequate biological shielding capability, against B and bremsstrahlung radiation, and mechanical strength may be used.
  • the base 11 is provided with an evacuation tube 13 which is crimped or welded after evacuation.
  • the top of the cylinder is provided with an insulator mounting flange 12, formed of a suitable metal, and either brazed or welded to the body wall 10.
  • the flange has an inner wall 14 converging inwardly to receive an insulator 16 which is formed of a suitable material, such as alumina, and which is vacuum brazed to the flange 12.
  • the insulator 16 is chosen to withstand the required voltage under specified operating conditions such as temperature, relative humidity.
  • the insulator 16 supports a mounting post 18 which extends into the interior of the cylinder 1 and which is threaded as at 19.
  • the mounting post carries upper and lower insulator discs 20, 22. Between these are a plurality of intermediate collector plates 28 which are spaced apart by spacers 29.
  • An additional spacers 29 are disposed between the uppermost collector plate 24 and insulator 20 and the lower collector plate 26 and the insulator 22. This increases the effective leak path. These spacers are split so as to fit snugly in the interior of the body 1.
  • the insulators 20, 22 and the collector plates 24, 26 and 28 are maintained in mechanical contact with each other by nuts 30, 32 engaging the threaded portion 19 of the mounting post 18.
  • the collector plates 24, 26 and 28 make electrical contact with the generator body 1. Vent holes 34 are provided in the insulator discs 20, 22 to facilitate the evacuation process.
  • the collector plates have relatively large apertures to adequately clear the mounting post 18 and the spacers 92.
  • a series of isotope bearing plates 40 are electrically connected to the mounting post 18 and are interspaced between the collector plate by spacers 42, the isotope bearing plates 40 and their associated spacers being maintained in mechanical and electrical contact with each other by means of a spring 44 disposed between the lower isotope bearing plate and the lower insulator 22.
  • the isotope bearing plates 40 are so dimensioned as to provide an adequate gap between the edges thereof and the spacers 29.
  • Plaques 46 of gettering material are attached to the inside surface of a spacer ring 29 and which are activated by heating during a bake-out and evacuation process after assembly, in a manner well known to those skilled in the art.
  • a baffle 48 may be included to protect the upper insulator disc 20 during the brazing or welding of the insulator 16.
  • a typical nuclear power cell in accordance with the embodiment described using 4 curies of promethium deposited on both sides of seven isotope bearing plates of seven-eighths inch diameter, gave a short circuit current of 7.8 X 10' amperes and a Peak Open Circuit Voltage of 13.5kV.
  • the walls of the cylinder 1 may define a round annulus or any other suitable cross-section which is substantially the same throughout the length of tubular portion of the body 1 occupied by the collector plates 24, 26 and 28 and the insulator discs 20, 22.
  • Assembly of the nuclear power cell is rendered extremely simple by the novel features of the construction. After selecting the number of isotope bearing plates to be used, an appropriate number of collector plates and spacers are obtained and these are threaded in order, onto the mounting post, which is attached to the top insulator, together with the upper and lower insulating discs and the top bafile. The assembly is then held in coaxial relationship by the nuts engaging the threaded portion of the mounting post, and introduced into the cylinder. The top flange and top insulator are then brazed or welded together. The completely assembled cell is then evacuated to a low pressure (10 mm. Hg) via the copper sealing tube and the assembly is baked-out and the getters fired in the usual manner.
  • a low pressure (10 mm. Hg)
  • the mounting rod takes on a positive polarity while the body has a negative polarity.
  • all such isotopes should be pure beta emitters and should not result in a decay product which is gaseous.
  • the isotope is deposited on simple plates or cylinders which can be conveniently handled during the construction of the cell.
  • the structure can be modified by adding or removing basic components without re-design. Thus cells with various outputs can be built at will.
  • the structure is self-aligning on insertion into the outer shell, minimizing the handling time during the assembly process and thus reducing the risk of radiation exposure.
  • the structure also provides for automatic alignment and assembly.
  • a nuclear power source comprising:
  • a hollow metallic body member having a longitudinal axis and internal dimensions which are substantially constant along a major portion of said axis
  • a mounting post extending from the outside of said high voltage insulator to the inside of said body member said mounting post being parallel to said axis, said mounting post providing an output terminal, said body member providing an electric return terminal,
  • collector plates interspaced with and insulated from said isotope bearing plates, said collector plates being electrically connected to said body member, and second spacing means between said collector plates, and
  • a nuclear power source as defined in claim 1 wherein said isotope bearing plates contain promethium 147.
  • a nuclear power source as defined in claim 2 including a getter for improving the vacuum.
  • a nuclear power source as defined in claim 1 further including a pair of insulator discs on said mounting post disposed longitudinally outside all of said isotope bearing plates and collector plates.
  • a nuclear power source as defined in claim 4 further including a baffle disposed between one of said insulator discs and said high voltage insulator.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • High Energy & Nuclear Physics (AREA)
  • Particle Accelerators (AREA)

Abstract

There is provided means for utilizing radioactive emission from a radioisotope to generate relatively high voltages at small current densities.

Description

United tates Fatent Round .Ettiy 18, B972 NUCLM POWER SOURCE [56] References Cited [72] Inventor: Kenneth J. Round, Ottawa, Ontario, UNITED STATES PATENTS Canada 2,824,246 2/1958 Keller ..310/3 0 3 A m E f a m Ob 2,864,012 Thomas 6! [7 1 ss'gnee tam, g g'ggi g g L M 3,189,765 6/1965 Danko et a] ..310/3 x Filed: Jan- 3, 1970 Primary ExaminerRodney D. Bennett, Jr.
Assistant ExaminerBrian L. Ribando [211 App! 6373 Attorney-Curtis, Morris and Safford [52] U.S. Cl. ..3l0/3 R, 136/202 [57] ABSTRACT gag S 4 2 There is provided means for utilizing radioactive omission from a radioisotope to generate relatively high voltages at small current densities.
5 Claims, 1 Drawing Figure NUCLEAR POWER SOURCE This invention relates to a nuclear electrical power source which has particular, but not exclusive application, in the utilization of beta-emitting radio-isotopes.
While the general principles upon which this invention operates are fairly well known, prior devices have not been commercially useful.
The present invention envisages the provision of an electrical power cell which may be manufactured with the minimum of close tolerance dimensions and which may be assembled quickly with utmost simplicity. The latter advantageous feature permits assembly with a minimum use of remote manipulators. The invention in one embodiment also provides for altering the output current level for different applications.
It is an object of one aspect of the invention to provide a simple, reliable, long-lived and robust source of high voltage electricity.
Although the invention is primarily directed to any novel integer or step, or combination of integers or step, herein described and/or shown in the accompanying drawing, nevertheless according to one particular aspect of the invention to which, however, the invention is in no way restricted, there is provided a nuclear power source comprising a hollow metallic body member, having a longitudinal axis and internal dimensions which are substantially constant along a major portion of said axis, vacuum-tight closure means for said body member at one end thereof, a high voltage insulator, vacuum sealed to the other end of said body, a mounting post extending from the outside of said high voltage insulator to the inside of said body member, said mounting post being parallel to said axis, said mounting post providing an output terminal, said body member providing an electrical return terminal, a plurality of isotope bearing plates disposed along and electrically connected to said mounting post inside said body, and first spacing means between isotope bearing plates, said isotope bearing plates being electrically insulated by said high voltage insulator and spaced from the interior of said body member, a plurality of collector plates interspaced with and insulated from said isotope bearing plates, said collector plates being electrically connected to said body member, and second spacing means between said collector plates, and means for evacuating said body member.
A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing which shows, in cross-section, a nuclear battery assembly.
Referring now to the drawing, the nuclear electrical power generator is generally indicated at l. The generator has a hollow cylindrical body configuration defined by a wall at least the interior dimensions of the cylinder being constant throughout the length of the cylinder. The base 11 of the cylinder and the walls are formed of stainless steel but other materials of adequate biological shielding capability, against B and bremsstrahlung radiation, and mechanical strength may be used. The base 11 is provided with an evacuation tube 13 which is crimped or welded after evacuation.
The top of the cylinder is provided with an insulator mounting flange 12, formed of a suitable metal, and either brazed or welded to the body wall 10. The flange has an inner wall 14 converging inwardly to receive an insulator 16 which is formed of a suitable material, such as alumina, and which is vacuum brazed to the flange 12. The insulator 16 is chosen to withstand the required voltage under specified operating conditions such as temperature, relative humidity. The insulator 16 supports a mounting post 18 which extends into the interior of the cylinder 1 and which is threaded as at 19. The mounting post carries upper and lower insulator discs 20, 22. Between these are a plurality of intermediate collector plates 28 which are spaced apart by spacers 29. An additional spacers 29 are disposed between the uppermost collector plate 24 and insulator 20 and the lower collector plate 26 and the insulator 22. This increases the effective leak path. These spacers are split so as to fit snugly in the interior of the body 1. The insulators 20, 22 and the collector plates 24, 26 and 28 are maintained in mechanical contact with each other by nuts 30, 32 engaging the threaded portion 19 of the mounting post 18. The collector plates 24, 26 and 28 make electrical contact with the generator body 1. Vent holes 34 are provided in the insulator discs 20, 22 to facilitate the evacuation process. The collector plates have relatively large apertures to adequately clear the mounting post 18 and the spacers 92. A series of isotope bearing plates 40, in number being one less than the number of collector plates, are electrically connected to the mounting post 18 and are interspaced between the collector plate by spacers 42, the isotope bearing plates 40 and their associated spacers being maintained in mechanical and electrical contact with each other by means of a spring 44 disposed between the lower isotope bearing plate and the lower insulator 22. It will be noted that the isotope bearing plates 40 are so dimensioned as to provide an adequate gap between the edges thereof and the spacers 29. Plaques 46 of gettering material are attached to the inside surface of a spacer ring 29 and which are activated by heating during a bake-out and evacuation process after assembly, in a manner well known to those skilled in the art. A baffle 48 may be included to protect the upper insulator disc 20 during the brazing or welding of the insulator 16.
A typical nuclear power cell in accordance with the embodiment described, using 4 curies of promethium deposited on both sides of seven isotope bearing plates of seven-eighths inch diameter, gave a short circuit current of 7.8 X 10' amperes and a Peak Open Circuit Voltage of 13.5kV.
It is to be understood that the walls of the cylinder 1 may define a round annulus or any other suitable cross-section which is substantially the same throughout the length of tubular portion of the body 1 occupied by the collector plates 24, 26 and 28 and the insulator discs 20, 22.
Assembly of the nuclear power cell is rendered extremely simple by the novel features of the construction. After selecting the number of isotope bearing plates to be used, an appropriate number of collector plates and spacers are obtained and these are threaded in order, onto the mounting post, which is attached to the top insulator, together with the upper and lower insulating discs and the top bafile. The assembly is then held in coaxial relationship by the nuts engaging the threaded portion of the mounting post, and introduced into the cylinder. The top flange and top insulator are then brazed or welded together. The completely assembled cell is then evacuated to a low pressure (10 mm. Hg) via the copper sealing tube and the assembly is baked-out and the getters fired in the usual manner.
While promethium 147 has been described, this was used in view of its relative inexpensiveness, its useful half-life (2.6 years) and the relatively low energy of the emitted ,8 particles which minimizes shielding requirements. With such a beta emission the mounting rod takes on a positive polarity while the body has a negative polarity. Preferably all such isotopes should be pure beta emitters and should not result in a decay product which is gaseous.
The invention represents a considerable advance in the art, in that:
A. The isotope is deposited on simple plates or cylinders which can be conveniently handled during the construction of the cell.
B. The structure can be modified by adding or removing basic components without re-design. Thus cells with various outputs can be built at will.
C. The structure is self-aligning on insertion into the outer shell, minimizing the handling time during the assembly process and thus reducing the risk of radiation exposure. The structure also provides for automatic alignment and assembly.
Other embodiments falling within the terms of the appended claims will occur to those skilled in the art.
What is claimed:
1. A nuclear power source comprising:
i. a hollow metallic body member, having a longitudinal axis and internal dimensions which are substantially constant along a major portion of said axis,
lOl045 0382 ii. vacuum-tight closure means for said body member at one end thereof,
iii. a high voltage insulator vacuum sealed to the other end of said body,
iv. a mounting post extending from the outside of said high voltage insulator to the inside of said body member said mounting post being parallel to said axis, said mounting post providing an output terminal, said body member providing an electric return terminal,
v. a plurality of isotope bearing plates disposed along and electrically connected to said mounting post inside said body, and first spacing means between isotope bearing plates, said isotope bearing plates being electrically insulated from the body member by said high voltage insulator and spaced from the interior surface of said body member,
vi. a plurality of collector plates interspaced with and insulated from said isotope bearing plates, said collector plates being electrically connected to said body member, and second spacing means between said collector plates, and
means for evacuating said body member.
2. A nuclear power source, as defined in claim 1 wherein said isotope bearing plates contain promethium 147.
3. A nuclear power source, as defined in claim 2 including a getter for improving the vacuum.
4. A nuclear power source, as defined in claim 1 further including a pair of insulator discs on said mounting post disposed longitudinally outside all of said isotope bearing plates and collector plates.
5. A nuclear power source, as defined in claim 4 further including a baffle disposed between one of said insulator discs and said high voltage insulator.
lOl045 0383

Claims (5)

1. A nuclear power source comprising: i. a hollow metallic body member, having a longitudinal axis and internal dimensions which are substantially constant along a major portion of said axis, ii. vacuum-tight closure means for said body member at one end thereof, iii. a high voltage insulator vacuum sealed to the other end of said body, iv. a mounting post extending from the outside of said high voltage insulator to the inside of said body member said mounting post being parallel to said axis, said mounting post providing an output terminal, said body member providing an electric return terminal, v. a plurality of isotope bearing plates disposed along and electrically connected to said mounting post inside said body, and first spacing means between isotope bearing plates, said isotope bearing plates being electrically insulated from the body member by said high voltage insulator and spaced from the interior surface of said body member, vi. a plurality of collector plates interspaced with and insulated from said isotope bearing plates, said collector plates being electrically connected to said body member, and second spacing means between said collector plates, and vii. means for evacuating said body member.
2. A nuclear power source, as defined in claim 1 wherein said isotope bearing plates contain promethium 147.
3. A nuclear power source, as defined in claim 2 including a getter for improving the vacuum.
4. A nuclear power source, as defined in claim 1 further including a pair of insulator discs on said mounting post disposed longitudinally outside all of said isotope bearing plates and collector plates.
5. A nuclear power source, as defined in claim 4 further including a baffle disposed between one of said insulator discs and said high voltage insulator.
US6373A 1970-01-28 1970-01-28 Nuclear power source Expired - Lifetime US3678303A (en)

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Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3951692A (en) * 1974-07-18 1976-04-20 Nuclear Battery Corporation Microwatt thermoelectric generator
US3980502A (en) * 1974-07-18 1976-09-14 Nuclear Battery Corporation Microwatt thermoelectric generator
US3980503A (en) * 1974-07-18 1976-09-14 Nuclear Battery Corporation Microwatt thermoelectric generator
US5608767A (en) * 1994-05-09 1997-03-04 General Electric Company Neutron-activated direct current source
US5672928A (en) * 1994-05-09 1997-09-30 General Electric Company Stabilized in-vessel direct current source
US20070133733A1 (en) * 2005-12-07 2007-06-14 Liviu Popa-Simil Method for developing nuclear fuel and its application
US20120080978A1 (en) * 2010-09-30 2012-04-05 Saade Makhlouf Radioactive isotope electrostatic generator

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2824246A (en) * 1954-05-19 1958-02-18 Geratebau Anstalt Balzers Instrument for measuring a vacuum
US2864012A (en) * 1953-10-12 1958-12-09 Tracerlab Inc Means for generating electrical energy from a radioactive source
US3189765A (en) * 1960-06-15 1965-06-15 Westinghouse Electric Corp Combined thermionic-thermoelectric converter

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2864012A (en) * 1953-10-12 1958-12-09 Tracerlab Inc Means for generating electrical energy from a radioactive source
US2824246A (en) * 1954-05-19 1958-02-18 Geratebau Anstalt Balzers Instrument for measuring a vacuum
US3189765A (en) * 1960-06-15 1965-06-15 Westinghouse Electric Corp Combined thermionic-thermoelectric converter

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3951692A (en) * 1974-07-18 1976-04-20 Nuclear Battery Corporation Microwatt thermoelectric generator
US3980502A (en) * 1974-07-18 1976-09-14 Nuclear Battery Corporation Microwatt thermoelectric generator
US3980503A (en) * 1974-07-18 1976-09-14 Nuclear Battery Corporation Microwatt thermoelectric generator
US5608767A (en) * 1994-05-09 1997-03-04 General Electric Company Neutron-activated direct current source
US5672928A (en) * 1994-05-09 1997-09-30 General Electric Company Stabilized in-vessel direct current source
US20070133733A1 (en) * 2005-12-07 2007-06-14 Liviu Popa-Simil Method for developing nuclear fuel and its application
US20120080978A1 (en) * 2010-09-30 2012-04-05 Saade Makhlouf Radioactive isotope electrostatic generator

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AS Assignment

Owner name: NORDION INTERNATIONAL INC., A CORP. OF CANADA, CAN

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:ATOMIC ENERGY OF CANADA LIMITED, A CORP. OF CANADA;REEL/FRAME:004978/0152

Effective date: 19880930

Owner name: NORDION INTERNATIONAL INC., P.O. BOX 13500, 447 MA

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:ATOMIC ENERGY OF CANADA LIMITED, A CORP. OF CANADA;REEL/FRAME:004978/0152

Effective date: 19880930