Capacitor Safety Discharge Method (fwd)

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 06 Aug 2007 01:53:57 -0400
From: Crispy <crispy@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: tesla@xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Capacitor Safety Discharge Method

Hello,

In light of the recent discussion about the necessity of a manual
discharge for the tank capacitor in addition to bleeder resistors, I've
been considering an easier method of manual discharge than the
stick-a-screwdriver-in-the-spark-gap method for my coil.  I was thinking
about an electronic method, and here's the idea.  Would it be possible
to have a linear pull-style solenoid with an electrode that, when
powered, would retract its electrode from another static electrode, to
act as the safety discharge?  The normal state (no electricity applied)
would be to have the contacts together, and the capacitor shorted.  Of
course, the electrodes would have to be insulated from the solenoid.
Also, would it be possible to immerse this under oil, if the gap
provided by the solenoid was insufficient to prevent sparking over in
normal operation, or would the oil coat the electrodes and somehow
prevent safety discharge?

Thanks,
Chris