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Re: Wire screen torroid
Date forwarded: Tue, 25 Aug 1998 01:05:47 -0600
To: "'Tesla List'" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
Subject: Wire screen torroid
Date sent: Tue, 25 Aug 1998 01:44:07 -0500
Forwarded by: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
From: Tesla List <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
>
> ----------
> From: Steve Young [SMTP:youngs-at-konnections-dot-com]
> Sent: Monday, August 24, 1998 10:22 PM
> To: Tesla List
> Subject: Wire screen torroid
>
> To ?
>
> A while back, someone posted pictures of a very large, interesting torroid
> they had just constructed and tested. As I recall, it was formed with a
> dozen or so round styrofoam pieces which formed the support cross sections
> of the torroid. Then metal window screen was somehow formed around the
> styrofoam disks.
>
> I and no doubt others would appreciate some construction details on how the
> torroid was put together. For example, how was the screening applied
> without sharp edges or creases? What were the frustrations and
> aggrevations encountered? Lessons learned?
>
> And any thoughts on it's comparative performance compared to other designs
> would also be insightful. Does the ion cloud around it effectively smooth
> the surface preventing premature breakout? Do the breakouts seem to come
> from the same places, or does the spark(s) travel all over the surface?
> Etc.
>
> >From the posted pictures, you have hit on a great idea--inexpensive, light
> weight, and it's neat to be able to see the discharges through the torroid!
>
> --Steve Young
>
>
I believe you are referencing the large toroid used on the Wart Hog coil
here in
Fort Worth, Texas. The coil was constructed in two days by myself and three
or four volunteers at the '98 Texas Teslaton this summer. The screen wire
was
stapled to the edge of the styrofoam disks. Hot glue was used in the
construction as well. Aluminum tape was used on the seams to smooth out
the sharp edges. The toroid works quite well. We have difficulty keeping
the
tape over the seams. I learned several lessons from this exercise:
(1) The styrofoam is fragile - I'd use thicker disks
(2) I'll cover my next toroid with chicken wire instead of screen
(3) I'll make my next inner supports out of plywood and wood rings instead of
plastic
(4) Screen wire is hard to fit over a toroid surface - even a big one.
Bert Pool