Steinmetz Coil

To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
Subject: Steinmetz Coil
From: Richard Wayne Wall <rwall-at-ix-dot-netcom-dot-com>
Date: Sun, 13 Oct 1996 18:49:20 -0700

10/13/96

Steinmetz invented a TC where the primary cap was replaced by an 
inductor.  This primary inductor directly drives the base of the 
secondary and the secondary drives a magnifier.  The power source is 
direct current and there is a switch.  Various schemes have been used 
for the switch including multipactors.  Would this be a good place to 
try a hydrogen thyratron or would the cemf from the primary inductor 
preclude this?  Any ideas about a switching device?

Years ago I built a Kirillian photography generator with a variable 
frequency solid state switch and an automobile coil.  These coils are 
very rugged and I never burned one out.  Could a magnifier be driven 
with one of these coils at the right frequency and power setting?  

Big Questions:  Why are we always so fascinated with switching the high 
voltage side?  Why not switch direct current, vary frequency and dwell, 
limit current and quenching on the low voltage side of the power 
transformer? 

RWW