[TCML] High Power Static Gaps

[bartb]

Hi Tony,

I've had those same thoughts from time to time. I think the main goals 
are to quench fast enough to help reduce power dissipation at the gap 
and to have enough thermal dissipation at the gap to stabilize the 
temperature for the power level. Pressure would alter the breakdown 
voltage, but in so doing, allows for slight variation of gap widths 
which may aid for heat dissipation and evacuation.

There is tungsten plate around. Just do an internet search. McMaster 
doesn't carry it, but other tungsten sources do.

I did try a tungsten static gap at one time. I used rod stock in a TCBOR 
design. Spacing between electrodes was large overall due to using a 40kV 
Trigger Gap. Performance was not good. I contributed three main causes: 
1)solid body tungsten rod. 2)the trigger circuit itself. 3)I did not 
spend enough time fiddling with it.

Take care,
Bart


Sfxneon at aol.com wrote:
> Thanks Jim, that gets me to wondering, if at some point, pressure  might work 
> better than vacuum?
>  
> Are there any more considerations than just overheating of the electrodes?  I 
> know that proper quenching is the real goal and keeping the electrode  
> temperature as low as possible is essential for that, but could a single static  gap 
> quench at multi-kilowatt power levels if kept cool enough? 
>  
> Which brings to mind this question: Is there anything like a tungsten flat  
> washer available anywhere? If so, how about brazing one on to the face of each  
> copper cap electrode?
>  
> Tony Greer
> *************
>
>
> Sfxneon at aol.com wrote:
>
>   
>> Hi  All,
>>  
>> I'm curious about the spark lengths achieved by  others using a single  
>>     
> static 
>   
>> vacuum aspirated gap, (I believe the  one designed by Gary Lau if memory  
>> serves)? It uses a vacuum  cleaner motor, PVC pipe and two large copper 
>>     
> tubing  end 
>   
>> caps with  holes in the middle for the electrodes.
>>  
>> What are the  limiting factors with this type of gap? Can it be scaled up  
>>     
> for 
>   
>>  higher power? It's a beautifully simple and elegant design, without the  
>>     
> need  
>   
>> for any close tolerance machine work like with rotaries, and  it's much 
>>     
> safer  
>   
>> too.
>>  
>>     
>
> In a message dated  9/7/2008 12:04:58 P.M. Central Daylight Time, 
> jimlux at earthlink.net  writes:
>
> The literature has references to gaps of this type (generally,  not with 
> the specific construction you describe) running at multiple  kilowatt 
> power levels.  The Marx blast gap is a good example.  It  actually used 
> air blowing out through the center hole in the  electrode.
>  
>
>
>
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