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130kW Coil -- Oh No!
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From: Bill Noble [SMTP:william_b_noble-at-email.msn-dot-com]
Sent: Thursday, February 05, 1998 12:30 AM
To: Tesla List
Subject: Re: 130kW Coil -- Oh No!
I wonder if the gap can be continuously evacuated with a (large?) pump would
alter the aerodynamics enough to improve the situation??
-----Original Message-----
From: Tesla List <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
To: 'Tesla List' <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
Date: Tuesday, February 03, 1998 12:25 AM
Subject: 130kW Coil -- Oh No!
>
>----------
>From: Greg Leyh [SMTP:lod-at-pacbell-dot-net]
>Sent: Sunday, February 01, 1998 4:47 PM
>To: Tesla List
>Subject: 130kW Coil -- Oh No!
>
>Hi All,
>
>The final development and testing efforts of the coil during the
>last few weeks have brought considerable progress, and a few setbacks
>as well. Most of the major problems so far have had to do with the
>dynamics of the rotary gap system.
>
>The latest setback on the rotary gap system has to do with
>the sharp pulsations of air pressure exerted on the stationary
>electrode holders by the quickly moving rotating electrodes. As the
>moving electrode passes the stationary one (at 420 km/h with a
>clearance of 0.9mm), the shock wave tends to hammer the stationary
>electrode supports, which are supported by an array of large porcelain
>insulators. These shockwaves are strong enough even at half speed
>that hearing protection is required anywhere near the gap.
>Although the porcelain insulators are quite massive, they appear to
>be susceptable to vibrational fatigue, and during power tests
>last Friday one of these insulators failed completely, resulting in
>a rather impressive spray of porcelain shards, ejected out of the
>vault through the access door. T. Leonard was far enough away, and
>I was behind my favorite steel plate, so no one caught any action.
>
snip