Re: [TCML] Spark gaps (again)

["Dex Dexter" <dexterlabs@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Forget for one moment all the efficiency issues.
I have a good 'antiefficiency' question for everybody.

MAXIMUM ARCING DISTANCE FOR GIVEN OUTPUT VOLTAGE.
Can a high power impulse source,like a Tesla transformer,put out a 10 feet long spark with 'only' 100 kV voltage peaks?
To achive that it is free to use any power input level,any size and shape of  a terminal capacity,any firing rate wanted,and
the most favorable high frequency excitation waves mix.The only limiting thing is not to exceed 100 000 V on HV terminal.
Supposing a normal atmosphere is that possible?
I know that under no circumstance 50 kV can close 5' wide gap unless directly conducting path is formed somehow,or a
strong external ionization occurs ,like exposure to a flame,extremely powerful lasers,but Tesla transformers are the 
champs of a spark pumping and I was wondering what could be done with 100 kV.
Thanks for your answers and explanations.

Dex

 
--- futuret@xxxxxxx wrote:

From: futuret@xxxxxxx
To: tesla@xxxxxxxxxx
Cc:
Subject: Re: [TCML] Spark gaps (again)
Date: Thu, 05 Mar 2009 20:05:43 -0500

Dennis,

For longest output sparks and best TC efficiency in that regard,
it's best to choose low gap losses over fast quenching.  Fast
quenching is nice, but not if one has to sacrifice low gap losses.
As long as quenching is adequate, that's all that is important.
Most small coils quench on the 3rd rf beat or notch point.  This
is fine.

Sometimes you'll hear the concept of "overquenching" mentioned.
Such as thing does not exist in practice.  What is often refered to
as overquenching really refers to a situation where there is excessive
airflow or airblast such that it interferes with the firing of the gap.
Thus the gap fires erratically under these conditions.  It sputters.

If however the gap runs too hot, then it will begin to fire at a lower
voltage, and the spark output will diminish.  So it's important to
cool a gap adequately.  For a small coil, just the ambient air may
be sufficient.

   http://futuret.110mb.com

The hyperbaric gap is an excellent design because it offers low losses 
and
adequate quenching and cooling.

John


-----Original Message-----
From: otmaskin5@xxxxxxx
To: tesla@xxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Thu, 5 Mar 2009 7:25 pm
Subject: Re: [TCML] Spark gaps (again)



Thanks Jim for the correction.? I was just using a shorthand 
description for
brevity & clarity since I have often heard of multi-segmented pipe gaps 
referred
to as Richard Quick type (rightly or wrongly).? In contrast?to your 
view that a
single?gap has superior quenching?capability,?seems there's' a fairly 
broad
consensus among the group on this list that a multi-segmented gap 
actually
quenches more effectively than a single gap.? I'm a novice without any 
real
electrical background, so I'm listening & asking a lot more than giving 
my
opinion on this stuff.?

I am very interested in the hyperbaric gap you describe and will 
probably build
one in the near future.? At this point I'm just trying to better 
understand the
science behind the performance differences between types of gaps.? I do
appreciate your thoughts and thank you for the response.? Regards, 
Dennis
Hopkinton MA

-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Mora <wavetuner@xxxxxxxxx>
To: 'Tesla Coil Mailing List' <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wed, 4 Mar 2009 9:44 pm
Subject: RE: [TCML] Spark gaps (again)


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