Hi John, futuret@xxxxxxx wrote:
What you say is correct. For a given voltage, the pressurized gap would need to have the electrodes closer together in order to breakdown at the "same" voltage level of a non-pressurized gap. If the gap is set properly under pressure with only the transformer prior to placing in the coil, then theoretically the electrode spacing should be tighter than the same gap without pressure. I wonder if anyone has checked the spacing of a pressurized gap against the same gap without pressure (but with air flowing) and what the change in spacing was? Just curious on how much of change in pressure was realized.By using a pressurized air gap, this should help reduce gap losses since pressurized air breaks down at a narrower gap setting than lower pressure air. Also pressurized air should quench better than lower pressure air.<snip>
Quenching and reduction of thermal losses would be the reason the gap would perform well, but I also wonder about the gap setting. If set too wide (for example set when not pressurized), then at pressure, the breakdown voltage would be higher and this would certainly force a higher energy bang (identical to increasing spacing on a non-pressurized gap).
Take care, Bart _______________________________________________ Tesla mailing list Tesla@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx http://www.pupman.com/mailman/listinfo/tesla