The Influence of Electrode Drop on Current Distribution in Diagonal Conducting Wall Generators,
Abstract
Current density and electrode drop distributions in the cross-sectional plane of the electrode in conducting wall generators are studied experimentally and theoretically. A general electrode drop relationship depending only on current density and surface temperature is found empirically for cold electrodes. Large sheath drops are measured that behave qualitatively different with current density at the cathode and anode. This behavior is shown to cause large sidewall current flows and asymmetric current distribution on the electrode. A two-dimensional theory for cross-sectional variations in potential and current density is formulated with boundary conditions that allow for the electrode drop. A technique for solving the problem with nonlinear boundary conditions is given along with some solutions. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 02, 1971
- Accession Number
- AD0722086
Entities
People
- J. F. Martin
- J. K. Koester
- J. W. Stephens
- M. K. Nicholson
Organizations
- University of Tennessee Space Institute