Re: Better Spark Gaps

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

Original poster: "Jim Lux by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <jimlux-at-earthlink-dot-net>


> >
> > Geometry of static spark gap ventileted with powerful
> > air flow (approaching 330 m/s) may offer quenching
> > after first transfer of energy to secondary,which is
> > nearly impossible to accomplish by best rotary alone
> > if high coupling (~0.2) set.
> > Progress here is still possible but ,as always,on a
> > burden of coilers' expense.
> 
> If 1st transfer quenching can be achieved without
> a special gas, but simply with a powerful air blast,
> that would be excellent, since simplicity is desireable.
> Powerful air blasts may disrupt the firing, or cause
> looping arcs in some cases maybe.
> 

Marx (Erwin, not Karl) was a big fan of blast gaps, and Fruengel covers
them extensively, in a triggered configuration.  You don't need a huge
amount of pressure or flow to get supersonic flow in a small orifice, which
is all you need. I suspect that there is going to be a careful balance
between providing enough cooling/movement to let the arc "cool out" between
"beats"(notches) and not cool off too much during RF current reversals.
There will also definitely be an interaction between the resonant
frequencies of the primary and secondary, and the coupling (which sets the
"time to first notch")