Principle of Switching Power-Generating Channels in the Core of a Thermionic Reactor-Converter

The electrical power of a thermionic reactor-converter is determined by various parameters of the thermionic fuel element and reactor core, as well as by the formation of the electrical branch that connects thermionic fuel elements according to various criteria. The formation of electric branches is possible in various ways. The number of branches is determined by the specified characteristics of the thermionic fuel element and the required electrical power. In this case, the thermionic fuel elements are connected electrically in series to the branches, and the branches themselves are connected in parallel. The selection of the electrical branch in the core of the reactor is based on the characteristics of each thermionic fuel element. In this article, we evaluate the characteristics of the thermionic reactor-converter with various options for switching thermionic fuel elements.