Re: [TCML] Racing sparks - question

[Joe Mastroianni <joe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I would  have to accept - as you pointed out earlier, these spark gap systems exhibit some chaotic behavior, and the interaction between all the components is non-linear.

That said, I thought there was a rule of thumb that suggested 1pf additional top loading per foot of sparks.  Though, do Antonio's models accurately predict a spark pattern?  Which is to say, are they close enough to make a man happy in his garage that he understands the machine he has built? 

In addition, I suppose in an SSTC you have more control of that zero-crossing extinction point and thereby can optimize the energy transfer.  Has anyone controlled a rotating spark gap to the point where you could actually switch the gap on and off in sync with the ring down in the same? I ask  this rhetorically, because I presume the answer is no. 

All of which is to say, I buy your initial argument that seeking a deterministic solution to optimizing an SRSG based coil in your garage is tantamount to threading a needle wearing seal fur mittens.  It might not be impossible to do, but it's certainly non-trivial.

And that makes Antonio's models more impressive.  I am looking them up.

Cheers,
Joe

On Aug 10, 2010, at 10:38 AM, EVP wrote:

>> 
>   Classical transient analysis techniques yield an exact solution except that they can't include the effects of variable and nonlinear streamer loading or the variable resistance of the spark gap with time.  Early examples of such treatment of lossless and lossy coupled double tuned circuits go back to Drude in 1905 and probably earlier. 
>   The critical coupling for the generation of the 'double frequency' response depends on circuit losses but for lossless circuits it's there for all values of coupling.  As the coupling increases the two frquencies move farther above and below the resonant frequency.  When the spark gap goes out the secondary rings down at its natural frequency.  The optimum time for extinction is when all of the energy in the primary capacitor has been transferred to the secondary and the current and voltage go through zero at the same time.
> 
>   Antonio's solutions allow for exact design of very complex circuits compared to the classic double-tuned TC.
> 
> Ed
> 
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