DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION DEVICES AND THEIR POTENTIAL NAVAL APPLICATIONS

Direct energy conversion devices may be used as prime movers, refrigerating machines, et cetera and are endowed with characterlstica well suited to diverse naval applications. Despite this, not much effort has been invested in the U.S. Navy in their development. There is a real and urgent need for substantial fundamental work in this area to be initiated. Developments of thermoelectric converters, thermionic generators, photovoltaic cells, magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) systems, and fuel cells are surveyed. A comparison between conventional energy conversion and direct energy conversion in size, weight, and efficiency is made. Potential application of these direct energy conversion devices for naval use is studied.