RE: Chisel-edged electrodes (fwd)

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

Original poster: "Lau, Gary by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net>" <Gary.Lau-at-compaq-dot-com>

While I've not tried or heard of this, I would think it's not a good idea
for several reasons.

1. The small features of a sharp edge would erode faster.
2. A sharp edge would generate corona as the electrodes approached and it
would arc at a wider gap separation.
3. With the arc stemming from a narrow piece of metal, the metal at the
point of arcing would get much hotter and generate more metal ions, which
would work against quenching.
4. I don't think mechanical dwell (electrode alignment time) has much to do
with quenching.  A very long dwell may cause re-firing of the gap in extreme
situations, but this is uncommon.

Gary Lau
Waltham, MA USA

>From: Mddeming-at-aol-dot-com
>
>Hi All!
>         I encountered a reference in my old notes (1962) about
chisel-edged 
>electrodes for a rotary gap. The leading edge is flat while the trailing
edge 
>is tapered like a chisel tip.The rationale for this seems to be that the 
>tapered edge and narrow point reduces the time they are within arcing 
>distance of each other and this produces faster quenching. Has Anyone tried

>anything like this?
>
>         | |
>          \|         ---> direction of movement
>
>                 |\         
>                 | | <--- Stationary electrode
>Matt D.