AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF A HOLLOW CATHODE FOR ARC DEVICES.
Abstract
The voltages, currents, and heat loads to a coiled anode and multi-element hollow cathode were determined. The cathode consisted of a flat water-cooled base element and five hollow, water-cooled disks in a vertical column above it. The cathode elements were insulated, and shunt resistors were used to cause the cathode current to split into six paths. The anodes were water-cooled coils of 1/4-in. diameter copper tubing. A convergent divergent shape was used with an air atmosphere, and a two row coil was used with argon. The coil current produced a magnetic field which increased anode life. The anode was mounted above the cathode, and the arc was not enclosed. When operated in air, the cathode sustained currents of 200-300 amperes before failure. Operation in argon was limited by constrictor failure to about 200 amperes. Cathode condition was very good after 40 test runs in argon at total currents ranging from 83 to 218 amperes. Calorimetrically measured heat loads decreased when the current split among the cathode elements and further decreased in an argon atmosphere. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1964
- Accession Number
- AD0610178
Entities
People
- Roland A. Stebbins
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology