Re: Aluminum electrodes in TCBOR static gap

• To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
• Subject: Re: Aluminum electrodes in TCBOR static gap
• From: FutureT-at-aol-dot-com (by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net>)
• Date: Wed, 20 Oct 1999 11:47:46 -0600
• Approved: twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net
• Delivered-To: fixup-tesla-at-pupman-dot-com-at-fixme

In a message dated 99-10-20 08:26:33 EDT, you write:

<< > 
 > I think this behaviour may be due more to
 > overheating of the static gap,
 > than lack of actual quenching.  I have seen this
 > happen whilst monitoring
 > the static gap voltage waveform.  When the static
 > gap overheats the
 > breakdown voltage drops considerably,  and the spark
 > gap seems to
 > "re-ignite" preamaturely following each firing. 
 > This results in the
 > static gap firing at a much faster rate,  but with
 > the tank capacitor only
 > partially charged.  The higher firing rate causes a
 > high pitched "frantic
 > fizzling" sound from the gap and even more heating.
 > 
 > Since bang energy is proportional to V^2,  the lower
 > firing voltage causes
 > bang energy to drop like a rock !  Although the
 > firing rate is higher, it
 > is outweighed by the massive drop in bang energy. 
 > The total power
 > throughput falls and the secondary sparks cease.
 > 
 > I found that high voltages,  and small capacitors
 > were worst for provoking
 > this effect.  I eliminated the problem with a large
 > volume of air blown
 > through the TCBOR-gap,  before moving to a rotary
 > design.
 > 
 > Well that is my theory anyhow,
 > Comments ? >>

Richie,

I agree with your explanation.  I knew this, but wasn't thinking 
properly when I wrote my posting.

Cheers,
John Freau

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