Re: Explanation of K

["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 Paul,

<snip>
> > Similar occurs when a Tesla secondary is 'struck' into resonance
> > by an impulsed primary.  For a typical TC, the higher modes are
> > less than 5% of the fundamental amplitude.  Increasing the
> > coupling raises this fraction. 

The drive function in a disruptive coil is sinusoidal isn't it? The 
primary rings at Fr according to time domain analysis. The only step 
the secondary may "feel" would be the initial step of gap conduction, 
but that can't have a huge effect since at typical TC k's, one 
generally gets a reversal in the primary of 80 - 90%. From there it 
simply winds down as the secondary winds up. 
     However, there is spectral fly in the ointment as you say - the 
faster the ring up, the greater the non-Fr content since the 
amplitude is continuously changing and changing faster as k 
increases. If this is responsible, it should be possible to induce 
racing sparks using a different means (other than cap discharge) of 
excitation which rings the secondary up equally fast.
     There isn't much energy in the secondary in the early stages of 
transfer so it would be helpful to know at which point racing 
discharges occur. One presumes they occur in the last half of ringing 
up.

Regards,
malcolm