Re: AMRAD Spark Gaps

["Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>]

Original poster: "bob golding by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net>" <yubba-at-clara-dot-net>

Hi Terry, all,
    Thanks for the picture, I now understand the basic design. I  was
wondering why the thing needs to
be adjustable in the first place. The adjustment could be made with taps on
the plates in the same way
as we do it on our RQTCBOR gaps. If it was done that way the gasket could
be made from say G10/FRG4
pcb material with the copper etched off, and just a thin layer of  RTV
between the plates. One  would
have to be careful what one used as the gasket seal to make sure you are
not trapping explosive fumes
inside the gap.You woudn't want it to  explode the first time it was fired
up. Might be a good project
for the hydroforming idea. Start small before goingf on to the big toriod.

cheers
bob golding

Tesla list wrote:

> Original poster: "Oxandale, Terry by way of Terry Fritz
<twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net>" <Toxandale-at-SPP-dot-org>
>
> Here is a very simple picture I drew up (Excel needed to view) of the
> gap I made.
>
>
> http://hot-streamer-dot-com/TeslaCoils/Misc/Quenched%20gap.xls
>
> Terry (Un-Terry)
>
> > ----------
> > From:         Tesla list[SMTP:tesla-at-pupman-dot-com]
> > Sent:         Sunday, December 24, 2000 5:23 PM
> > To:   tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
> > Subject:      Re: AMRAD Spark Gaps
> >
> > Original poster: "Ed Phillips by way of Terry Fritz
> > <twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net>" <evp-at-pacbell-dot-net>
> >
> > Tesla list wrote:
> > >
> > > Original poster: "Oxandale, Terry by way of Terry Fritz
> > <twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net>" <Toxandale-at-SPP-dot-org>
> > >
> > >         The temperature rating was very low (I'm sure, because the
> > > gaskets were designed to operated in an oil bath that I would expect
> > > never see 50 degrees C. I only used them because they were soft
> > enough
> > > to crush and seal tightly, and because I had never built one and
> > never
> > > expected the large improvement over the stationary SG performance.
> > The
> > > pieces were pressed using (I'm going on memory here) a large washer
> > on
> > > top and centered over the brass disc and a smaller washer was
> > centered
> > > under the disc. the small washer OD was about 1/4" smaller than the
> > > larger washer ID, thus when pressed, it formed a small round but
> > flat
> > > protrusion in the middle of the disc (again, like a dinner plate).
> > If I
> > > could find a high temperature plastic or fiber washers to seal these
> > > "units", this thing would be worth redoing. It was interesting in
> > that
> > > when I would rebuild these washers, inspection of the discs revealed
> > a
> > > very uniform arcing pattern over the entire protruded portion (1.5"
> > > diameter) of the disc. I did find that the expansion of the convex
> > > surface did close up each individual gap a slight amount after
> > warming
> > > up thoroughly. I can look up the article date or send a Excel
> > drawing of
> > > the if wanted. It was a very simple device, and made with very basic
> > > materials and tools, but worked very well. There is no telling how
> > much
> > > better a professionally designed one would work.
> > >
> > >         Terry
> >
> >       Would be very much interested in more details and a photo, if
> > possible.
> >
> > Ed
> >
> >
> >