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Re: Science fair help...
Hi Dale. Welcome to the list! It's good to have you aboard! Al.
On Sat, 18 Nov 2000 09:09:04 -0700 "Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
writes:
> Original poster: "Dale Hall" <Dale.Hall-at-trw-dot-com>
>
> Hi Michael,
> My name is Dale.
> I'm 55, an electrical engineer, originally from Pittsburgh,
> Pennsylvania,
> where I was an avid electronics experimenter as an
> amateur radio licensee at 13, K3MNN, mostly for RF circuit
> experimentation,
> radio direction finding & miniature transmitters, receivers were
> passions
> 11 year sunspot maxima of 60's spurred interest in long distance
> communication.
>
> I started out experimenting with auto ignition coils,
> taking them apart and making a vibrator adapted to the central
> coil laminations to cause a constant HV output from a 6V battery.
>
> I built my first TC in sixth grade.
>
> I've been an LA County and Calif State Science Fair for 16 years.
> I originated (1995) and sponsor CSSF "The Silicon Boule Award"
> to acknowledge distinctive performance in the physical sciences:
>
> http://www.usc.edu/CMSI/CalifSF/History/1997/pictures/BouleSr.html
>
> http://www.usc.edu/CMSI/CalifSF/History/1998/pictures/Boule.jpg
>
>
> http://www.usc.edu/CMSI/CalifSF/History/1999/pictures/SiliconBoule.html
>
> I worked with many SF TC projects that rose to the top (1st: local,
> county
> & state).
> How you do depends on the project, your dedication and willingness
> to learn
> and apply,
> your ability to present clearly what you have done in writing and
> verbally
> in a way that meets judging expectations unique to each particular
> Science
> Fair.
>
> Are you eligible to go on to county and state fairs ?
> If not the formalities are usually not as rigid to place well
> but utilizing them will get you on the right track for the future.
>
> You do plan on becoming a scientist, engineer or physicist, Right !
>
> In Calif., the title you proposed would put you in the
> Engineering Applications (EA) category due to practical application.
>
> EA requires the project to prove degree and rationale for usefulness
> in the application, a deviation from theoretical proof using
> Scientific Method.
>
> For your TC project I would recommend a more Science / Physics
> approach to be evaluated to your advantage on your ability to apply
> and
> exploit the Scientific Method.
>
> Start a daily LOG,
> good judges like to see the day to day log:
> even scraps of paper you use to brainstorm ideas
> 090100: today I brainstormed potential ideas for this
> years project
> including:
> using my TC to measure if useful power can be
> transferred without wires
> 111700: Asked the teslalist for advice:
> here is a list of the responses and the providers
>
> Know the SLAP, Scientific Laws And Principles, as they apply to your
> project,
> build on, and refer to, SLAP, as your project develops
> Any electrical project must include:
> Real Power: Ohms Law E=IR, I=E/R, R=E/I, P=IE =I^2R = E^2/R
> TC involve resonance Fr=1/(2Pi*sqr(LC))
> Reactance: XL=2PI*FL, Xc=1/(2Pi*FC), cancel each
> other only at resonance,
> do not dissipate real power i.e. its imaginary
> power.
> (dc resistance of the inductors wire and sparking
> loads dissipate real
> power = heat,
> spark loads transform to additional series dc R,
> dynamically i.e. each spark is different load
> which
> reflects a different series dc resistance.
> No One said this stuff was Simple ! :-))
> but each problem taken by itself is simpler.
>
> credit resources used and individuals who helped you and in what
> capacity,
>
> Propose a hypothesis, incorporate controls (i.e. have only one
> variable to
> test),
>
> perform tests, take data (confine ea test data taking to solving one
> specific objective/problem)
> data needs be objective not subjective i.e. don't say bulb
> was brighter
> instead use a calibrated means. Borrow instruments from the
> school or ask
> a local business
> many instruments can built inexpensively with credit
> to you for ingenuity
> commercial instruments offer high level of
> credibility
> but must be understood and used properly
>
> graph the data, explain data and
> draw conclusions proving or disproving your hypothesis.
>
> A possible title and related hypothesis such as:
> Wireless Power Transfer of the Impulsive Tesla Coil
>
> Leaving it more open allows you to develop the specifics
> even different receiver implementations for comparison
> in your experimentation and to report and draw impressive
> conclusions.
>
> (the gap and AC waveform creates "impulses" of energy thus
> "Impulsive")
>
> Ideas for Thought:
> To transfer energy you do not want any corona or sparks.
> (this may be contrary to why you chose to do a TC project)
> (if so change the hypothesis accordingly)
> You, like Nikola, want a toroid that is large enough to prevent
> breakout which would represent power Loss
> or you yourself do tests: breakout Vs non
> (control: each tuned to optimum resonance)and present the
> comparison.
> bonus: this result would be of keen interest to this list
> In this scenario the Ground integrity becomes a more important
> common
> element to the transmitter and receiver. (so not "quite" wireless,
> quasi ?)
> The best power receiver for a Transmitting TC is likely a
> second identical co-resonant Receiving TC (tunable for optimum
> transfer).
>
> Study via the internet:
> my vote for best TC site is:
> http://www.staff.ncl.ac.uk/r.e.burnett/
>
> and of course, Matt Behrends excellent formula organization:
> http://home.earthlink-dot-net/~electronxlc/index.html
>
> then use the Tesla Ring and check out sites for yourself.
> http://nav.webring.yahoo-dot-com/hub?ring=TeslaRing&list
>
> Good Luck and keep us posted,
> Dale
> Redondo Beach, Calif.
>
> see
> picts of my SS DC batt powered TC; components, 28" arcs, scope I &
> V:
> http://www.cowmail-dot-net/dalehalldctc/
> and more recent 38" power arc picts at
> http://hot-streamer-dot-com/TeslaCoils/Temp/
> 09, 12 15bal.... (38" discharges -at-<1W Pin) Terry posted for me.
>
> PS re: Safety:
> The biggest safety danger:
> is Complacency caused by repeatedly performing tests
> and/or taking short cuts to get results more quickly,
> working tired to get some more results/data/etc.,
> working Alone (not a good idea w/HV, though many of us do
> just that - more reason to exercise extra care/reason/judgement.
>
> "Respect" for the potential danger is the best preventative measure.
>
> but must be combined with education, well conceived plans, solid
> construction practice,
> the use of the buddy system of power application in case something
> goes wrong,
> understanding of the apparatus and its potential during a fault,
> like the
> use of dead man switch, where power is removed when button pressure
> is released
> - often a foot pedal for TC's perhaps with a default timer on said
> switch
> that automatically turns power off after a preset time, limiting
> exposure
> liability,
> especially early in understanding & development.
>
> Many tests may be performed in 10 sec or less.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Tesla list [mailto:tesla-at-pupman-dot-com]
> Sent: Friday, November 17, 2000 5:35 AM
> To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
> Subject: Science fair help...
>
> Original poster: "Michael Deegan" <mdeegan-at-mediaone-dot-net>
>
> Hidily do,
>
> Many of you have probably seen my posts in the last few days.
> I'm a 8th
> grader in illinois. i decided to do something involving tesla coils
> for my
> science fair project. the coil is up, running fine but one small
> problem.
> for my
> purpose i put "How much electricity can be transmitted without
> wires?" in a
> rather hasty way ( i just wanted to do some coiling). but noww i
> need to do
> something. tesla coils can light up a flourescent lightbulb right?
> you guys are
> probably older than me, and you tribal elders can maybe help me on
> this one...
> What should i do to measure the amount??? my multimeter wont exactly
> work too
> well on that one... any ideas? suggestions???
>
> Michael Deegan
>
>
>