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Re: explosive hydroforming for toroids and spheres




From: 	Jim Lux[SMTP:jimlux-at-earthlink-dot-net]
Sent: 	Thursday, December 04, 1997 10:36 AM
To: 	Tesla List
Subject: 	Re: explosive hydroforming for toroids and spheres



> From: 	D.C. Cox[SMTP:DR.RESONANCE-at-next-wave-dot-net]
> Sent: 	Thursday, December 04, 1997 5:09 PM
> To: 	Tesla List
> Subject: 	Re: explosive hydroforming for toroids and spheres
> 
> to: Gary
> 
> Another method similar to explosive hydroforming but without the hassle
of
> explosives, permits, regulations, etc, is to discharge a large energy
> storage capacitor in which the tungsten discharge terminals are placed in
a
> pan of water.  An ignitron is usually used as the switch and the values
of
> the cap would be around 20 MFD at 10-15 KV DC.  The shock wave is very
> similar to an explosive shockwave and the forming is completely
repeatable
> in a relatively short time span.
> 
> DR.RESONANCE-at-next-wave-dot-net
> 

And the shock wave is mighty impressive as well. The only problem is that
your 15 kV in 20 uF would be a mere 2 kJ, a long way from the energy in an
ounce or so of explosives (roughly 125 kJ/oz (to mix units))  It takes a
bunch of energy to form metal. To take 2 kJ for an example, assume that 50%
of the energy actually goes into the metal forming, or 1 kJ. This is 1000
newton meters, or (very rough conversion here) a 250 pound weight dropping
3 feet. It'll dent the metal, but probably not form it into a nice toroid
or sphere half.

That's why they are doing all that neat stuff with Flux Compression
Generators, etc. to turn explosive mechanical energy into electrical energy
to detonate bridge wires in nuclear devices, etc. Chemical energy is so
much denser than stored electrical energy.

For more comparisons on energies see:
http://home.earthlink-dot-net/~jimlux/energies.htm