Re: New Rotary

[FutureT-at-xxxxxxx (by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-xxxxxxxxxx>)]

In a message dated 11/7/00 9:17:56 PM Eastern Standard Time, tesla-at-pupman-dot-com 
writes:

> Original poster: "Adam Parker" <tesla_park-at-yahoo-dot-com> 
>  
>  To all of you who like to experiment:
>  
>  I am building a rotary gap that allows break rate and
>  quench time to be adjusted independently of each other
>  (usually, break rate and quench time change
>  simultaneously as the motor speed is adjusted). Being
>  able to observe the effects of each variable on a
>  Tesla coil may open up new venues for research.
>  
>  The gap would use oblong shaped stationary electrodes
>  that could be rotated in place exposing more or less
>  spark length to the flying electrodes for firing. This
>  should effectively alter dwell time without changing
>  motor speed. 

Adam, 

It sounds to me as if you will be able to control the mechanical
dwell time of the electrodes, but not necessily the quench time.
The quench tends to occur independently of the mechanical
dwell time, and usually much faster.  Contrary to popular belief,
rotaries do not quench by stretching the spark apart.  Rotaries
control when the spark occurs, but not when it quenches.  I've
built gaps with electrodes that can be offset to reduce the 
mechanical dwell, but this had no effect on the quench time.

John Freau
---

This particular gap will be asynchronous,
>  and I may use DC to get cleaner o-scope readings. 
>  
>  I should have one of these built pretty soon. I just
>  wanted to get the idea out there for anyone
>  interested.
>  Anyway, send me a mail if you would like a diagram,
>  etc.
>  
>  I'll post results as soon as i get some data.
>  
>  Adam