Simulation of the Thermionic Emission of Electrons and the Possibility of Using This Effect for the Cooling of Aircraft Members.

A numerical simulation of an intense thermionic emission of electrons from the cathode into the air medium in an electrode system has been performed with regard for the possible changes in the voltage across the electrodes and in the electronic work function of the cathode. Spatial distributions of the electrons, the electron energy, the ions, the electric-field strength, and the concentration of the atomic oxygen in the air medium were constructed with the use of a simplified set of kinetic reactions. A possibility of using the thermionic emission of electrons from a cathode for the cooling of the members of flying vehicles with the aim to proof them against heat loads was demonstrated. The numerical calculations have shown that the thermionic emission of electrons from the cathode in a system of electrodes with no protective resistor at a high pressure does not provide a cooling of the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]