热离子转换器作为空间反应堆具有许多优点。过去几年中,我们做了6次试验,其中4次是堆内试验,2次堆外试验。堆内试验中,有3次是用三节二级管串联的。结果表明,最大功率密度W=2.4W/cm~2,电极效率η=4.2％,发射极温度T_E=1460℃。第四次是单节热离子转换器,W=5.6W/cm~2,η=8％ T_E=1540℃。在两次堆外试验中,当T_E=1600℃时,最大功率密度W=7.8W/cm~2,电极效率η=12.7％。 Thermionic converters have many advantages as space reactors. In the past few years, we have done 6 experiments, of which 4 were in-reactor tests and 2 out-of-reactor tests. In the reactor test, there are three times in series with three diodes. The results showed that the maximum power density W = 2.4W / cm ~ 2, the electrode efficiency η = 4.2% and the emitter temperature T_E = 1460 ℃. The fourth is a single thermal ionizer with W = 5.6 W / cm ~ 2 and η = 8% T_E = 1540 ° C. In the two off-site tests, the maximum power density W = 7.8W / cm ~ 2 and the electrode efficiency η = 12.7% when T_E = 1600 ℃.