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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
> 
> 
>