Original poster: FIFTYGUY@xxxxxxx
Folks-
Previously, I had asked about the gap Golka used at Wendover,
which is labelled as "secret" on the old diagram. We got this
response from his current colleague, Mike:
> He had a very fast quench there which
> he developed but he will not release it. I know what it is but have to
> respect his wishes; That was conditional to my posting the other info.
> It is very dangerous not contained and even post contained, once
arcs > have
> happened through the contents it becomes poison. I guess he did
not want > a
> liability problem.
Terry replied to this:
> If it was a SF6 style gap thing, it was well described in > the
TCBA news... Since I forgot which issue, maybe the
> secret is still safe ;-))
> Sounds like some others already pretty much new all about
> it... Of course, if Bob made little tweeks or anything
> "special" to get it to work (especially at those super
>power levels), those secrets are still safe ;-))
Yesterday, I had an opportunity to talk with Golka in person.
I asked him about the "secret" gap. He said it was SF6, at 45 psi
(I presume "gauge" pressure). Recirculation/replacement of the gas
is essential at these power levels, no matter what gas you choose to use.
WRT it being "secret": I asked permission to publicly pass on
the info. He said the configuration was secret at one time,
because he was trying to sell a system to Disney. He explained how
corporate Disney screwed him over, and since the project fell
through, there was no more reason to keep it secret. So the gap
has probably been previously well-detailed.
I don't think he was concerned about liability issues,
although he did stress that the SF6 did rapidly break down into
horribly toxic stuff in that service (of course!).
-Phil LaBudde