Re: QuickTC Version 1.1 now available

["Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>]

Original poster: "Malcolm Watts by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <m.j.watts-at-massey.ac.nz>

Hi Michael,
           A comment on a piece of your text below:

On 8 Sep 2001, at 11:51, Tesla list wrote:

> Original poster: "Michael Rhodes by way of Terry Fritz
<twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <rhodes-at-fnrf.science.cmu.ac.th>
> 
> Hi David,
> 
> First I would like to thank you for your kind comments and suggestions.
> Version 1.1 (final) is now available updated to include yours and others
> comments.
> 
> Exe only: http://www.fnrf.science.cmu.ac.th/ftp/QuickTCmin1.1.zip 160k
> Full: http://www.fnrf.science.cmu.ac.th/ftp/QuickTCfull1.1.zip 2.01M
> 
> I will address each point you have made within your comments below:
> 
> >
> > Program for a "Beta" release is very good, graphics are much better then
> other
> > programs I've used.  Several additional comments...
> 
>    Again, thank you for the compliments.  Part of my job as a research
>    physicist is to develop computer control, data acquisition and data
>    analysis systems for particle physics systems (ion implanters, linear
>    accelerators, etc.) and found writing this program a nice change.
>    The GUI has to be written in such a way as that the non-computer literate
>    operators have little problems understanding how the control program
>    works.  Also prevent them from entering values that could be hazardous
>    to them or the equipment (these machines operate from 150kVDC
>    to 400kVDC).
> 
> >
> > 1.  Allow panel to be enlarged to full screen magnification for us sight
> >      impaired   ;^)
> 
>    I too am visually impaired (too much time staring at a computer monitor
>    and writting programs like this:-)  I have addressed this and now you
>    can resize most windows to any size you like or maximize to full screen.
> 
> > 2.  Some of the frequency outputs are red on blue background (almost
> >      unreadable)! Check your screens and make sure that they are
> >      legible and don't have clashing colors.
> 
>    This is why I need Beta testers. I test my program on two computers at
>    two resolutions. I program on a 17" 1024x768 screen but switch to
>    800x600 to see if there is any 'crunch' in the forms.  However, due to
>    different systems having different sweep frequencies and color balance
>    I need to rely upon a larger cross section of computers to correct any
>    problems.  I have cleaned up the colors and contrasts and believe they
>    are now much more legible and consistant.
> 
> >   I didn't see any crashes, but make sure your error trapping and GUI
> >   annunciation of such is user friendly and / or doesn't cause the "Blue
> >   Screen of  Death (BSD) syndrome.
> 
>    I have now gone through every input parameter and put either
>   value constraints or warning messages to inform the user of the problem.
>   One of the most common problems with programs that do a lot of
>   calculations is the dreaded 'divide by zero' error.  I have corrected all
>   of them?  I have a tendency to put off my error trapping code until
> everything
>   is written, bad habit.
> 
> > 3.  Wire 1/4 wavelength has virtually no bearing on resonant frequency of
> >      resonator.
> 
>    Some explanation on my part is in order here.  I realize that 1/4
> wavelength
>    theory for TCs is no longer in vogue.  It has to do with the way I handle
>    my internal calculations.  The secondary has a fixed inductance but a
>    variable capacitance (Cself + Topload) where Topload is the variable.
>    As such I need a seed resonance frequency as a start to calculate a total
>    secondary capacitance.  My choice was to use the secondary wire length
>    and calculate the frequency at 1/4 wavelength.  This is how I built my
>    TC and it worked surprisingly well.  You can see it at
>    http://www.fnrf.science.cmu.ac.th/tesla/index.html
>    Afterwards you can modify the topload and the new (non 1/4 lambda)
>    frequency will be used.  Perhaps my labeling is confusing.

Actually, the secondary is a quarterwave resonator. The quarterwave 
however does *not* refer to the length of wire in the coil. It refers 
instead to the resonator's fundamental vibrational mode. I know it is 
not an exact analogy but consider a steel ruler whose bottom inch or 
so is clamped in a vice. It is a quarterwave resonator. Same with a 
skyscraper. Add a lump of mass to the top and you've just added some 
topload "capacitance". The resonator is velocity inhibited. That 
means that instead of travelling X thousand metres in Y milliseconds, 
the wave travels a few feet/metres up the coil in the same Y 
milliseconds.

Regards,
malcolm
 
> >  Wire length in coil is good feature.
> >  4.  Info on primary tank design and integral MMC calculator excellent.
> >       Might want to add info for rotary (ASRSG, SRSG)  as well as
> >      TSG design aids once we get technology to a little more mature
> state...   :^)
> 
>     Since this program was written from code segments that I wrote as
>     I needed them in designing my TC (static spark gap style) I was
>     pressed to get that portion written.  I will investigate the other
>     three types and see about adding them when I have more time.
> 
> >
> > All and all, great first attempt!
> >
> > Regards
> > Dave Sharpe TCBOR
> > Chesterfield, VA. USA
> >
> 
> Michael Rhodes
> Senior Researcher
> Chiangmai University
> Thailand
> 
> 
> 
>