Anode Melting in a Multicathode-Spot Vacuum Arc

Melting of the anode surface in a multicathode-spot vacuum arc is expected when the incident energy flux is not balanced. The anodic energy influx is proportional to the arc-current collected by the anode and melting of the anode should be observed when peak arc-current exceeds a critical value. In this work, the critical peak arc-current Ipt was measured, and its dependence on anode and cathode materials was determined. The arc was sustained between two parallel cylindrical electrodes, 14 mm in diameter and spaced 4 mm apart. The almost critically damped current pulse lasted for 30 ms with a 6-ms rise time to peak value. Peak currents were in the range of 500-2300 A. In most of the experiments the anode material differed from that of the cathode. In the runs where the cathode-anode materials were Cu-Al or Mo-Cu, respectively, the time dependence of a spectral line intensity radiated by the anode atoms located in the plasma near the anode surface was recorded. We found that Ipt depended on both the anode and cathode materials. Thus for an Al anode and Al and Cu cathodes, Ipt equaled to 1100 and 900 A, respectively. In arcs with a peak current larger or equal to Ipt, a sudden jump of the spectral line intensity was observed. In all experiments, even when strong melting of the anode was observed, the arc-voltage stayed quiescent and in the range 15-35 V, suggesting that no anode spot was formed.     

The DC Arc in a Supersonic Nozzle Flow

The boundary layer integral method at its second level of approximation has been used to study the DC arc in a supersonic nozzle flow. It is shown that with the inclusion of the arc momentum balance, the critical point of the flow is, generally, not the sonic point of the external flow. The speed, at which a disturbance propagates relative to the external flow, is in general supersonic and is dependent on the arc conditions. The arc model is capable of predicting the axial electric field, the arc size and the axial pressure distribution as a function of current. For affinely related nozzles, the solution is determined by a parameter N, which is related to zt, the stagnation condition and the nominal current density at the throat (I/At). Numerical results are given for a particular nozzle shape although the method of analysis is general. Practical implications as regards nozzle design for a gas blast circuit breaker are briefly discussed.     

Vacuum Arc Behavior in a Transverse Magnetic Field

Experimental measurements in a vacuum interrupter have shown that the application of a transverse magnetic field results in substantial increases in arc voltage. Photographic studies of the arc column indicate that strong magnetic fields reduce the effective anode area and may lead to severe arc constriction.     

Numerical Simulation of a Planar Vacuum Arc

A two-dimensional numerical simulation of a planar vacuum arc has been used to determinie the effect of the self-consistent magnetic fields on the arc plasma density, temperature, and heat flow. The results are consistent with experimentally observed discharges in which a linear pinch occurs.     

Quenching Properties of an Arc in a Double Flow with a Vortex

The effect of a vortex in a gas flow on an air-blast arc is investigated. The radial density of a vortex in the compressible flow is evaluated with a simple model. The experiments show that the width of a low pressure channel on the axis of the nozzle is comparable to the theoretical values. The measured electric field strength profile is strongly influenced by the presence of such a vortex. In addition, the thermal interrupting capability is drastically lowered by vortex superimposed on the axial gas flow.     

Conditions of the Anode Spot Formation in a Vacuum Arc

A critical analysis of available experimental data and models of an anode spot formation shows their insufficiency for developing a clear-cut physical model of anode processes in a high-current vacuum arc. Based on new results of studying an anode medium- and low-pressure arc region, a qualitative physical model of an anode spot formation in a vacuum arc is proposed. The main idea of the model is that a change of the sign of the anode voltage drop (from negative to positive) is a necessary condition for an anode spot formation. Experimental data are qualitatively discussed from the point of view of the proposed model.     

The Nonlinearity Factors in Analysis of a Conductive Arc Track

The corrections introduced by an accurate numerical analysis of actual nonlinear thermal conditions in a conductive track under an arc are compared to those for the linear approximation up to the ablation stage. The relevant nonlinearity factors are: the actual arc-current and power distribution, temperature dependences of insulation properties and their stepwise change at the phase transition, and voltage gradient feedback from the track temperature. The plot of temperature distribution in the track shows that the error introduced by the use of a linear approach can be considered as moderate when area of the track which are important for the recovery dielectric strength are considered.     

Arc Root Attachment on the Anode Surface of Arc Plasma Torch Observed with a Novel Method

The arc-root attachment on the anode surface of a dc non-transferred arc plasma torch has been successfully observed using a novel approach. A specially designed copper mirror with a boron nitride film coated on its surface central-region is employed to avoid the effect of intensive light emitted from the arc column upon the observation of weakly luminous arc root. It is found that the arc-root attachment is diffusive on the anode surface of the argon plasma torch, while constricted arc roots often occur when hydrogen or nitrogen is added into argon as the plasma-forming gas.     

Anode Sheath Growth and Collapse in a Hollow-Anode Vacuum Arc

Experimental diagnostics in a hollow-anode vacuum arc device have shown that the repetitive growth and collapse of an anode sheath is responsible for observed tens-of-kV voltage spikes. A dynamic model of device operation based on circuit effects and a time varying quasi-Child-Langmuir sheath is presented. The scaling of the repetition rate with respect to cathode material is discussed. The device is being investigated for use as a current limiter for ~10-MW pulses.     

The Effective Periphery of a High Pressure Arc

A brief account is given of ideas which are aimed at providing a common reference point for theoretical treatments of arc problems through the equations of continuum magne-to-fluid-dynamics. By unifying theoretical solutions in the manner described, their usefulness in analyzing the results of experimental investigations may be greatly enhanced. The ideas center on the concept of an isothermal arc periphery, the temperature of which is regarded as an artificial gas property to be derived from the measured voltage gradient-current characteristic of a wall-stabilized arc of low power gradient. Evidence in support of this concept is given for various types of arc in nitrogen at one atmosphere pressure. Some of the implications of the use of an effective periphery of a high pressure arc are examined, and a suggestion is made for the complete set of boundary conditions to be applied at the periphery.     

Arc voltage of a fast triggered vacuum gap

At high current, the performance of triggered vacuum gaps (TVGs) is limited by constriction of the vacuum arc. Several concentrated modes can be defined, i.e., foot point, anode spot, and intense arc mode. In all cases, small, luminous, high-temperature spots (from melting to boiling temperature) appear on the anode surface. In accordance with the anodic mode, the arc voltage has different characteristics (quiet and low or with high-frequency noise). The arc voltage is measured for different electrode configurations for a conduction time of 27 μs and for peak current up to 45 kA. For small gap distances (1-1.5 mm), the arc voltage is quiet and low (20 to 30 V) and almost independent of the peak current. For greater distances, the arc voltage increases with the distance and the peak current. If the peak current is higher than the threshold interruption current, the arc voltage is high and noisy. These overvoltages, with a frequency of about one megahertz, can reach more than 1000 V. These overvoltages disappear completely after about 15 μs, and the voltage decreases     

Thermal Nonequilibrium of a Free-Burning Argon Arc Plasma

The axial distributions of the electron temperature and number density of a free-burning atmospheric argon arc plasma at 15 Amps have been measured using a Thomson scattering technique. In addition, the excitation temperature of singly ionized argon has been found spectroscopically by relative line intensity method. The results are presented in terms of the degree of electron temperature nonequilibrium as compared with the calculated Saha equilibrium temperature and with the measured ionic excitation temperature along the axis of the arc. The observed temperatures are discussed with respect to the theoretical ion-like particle temperature and to the effect of electrode geometry.     

In Situ Determination of Macroparticle Velocities in a Copper Vacuum Arc

The velocity components of individual macroparticles (molten droplets) moving through the interelectrode plasma of copper vacuum arc were measured by applying the forward-scattering laser Doppler anemometry method (LDA). The arc was sustained between two cylindrical copper electrodes, 14 mm in diameter and spaced 4 mm apart. Two current waveforms, with rise times to peak currents of 1 and 6 ms and duration of about 5 and 30 ms, respectively, were used in the experiment, while in both cases peak currents were either 1 or 2 kA. Macroparticles traversing through the ellipsoid shaped "probe-volume," which was produced by the intersection of the two He-Ne laser beams, scattered the laser light, through a monochromator, used as a 1.7-A bandpass filter, onto a photomultiplier. The Doppler-frequency component of the photomultiplier was recorded after appropriate filtering and amplification. The macroparticle velocity component obtained from the Doppler frequency was in the plane defined by the illuminating laser beams and directed perpendicularly to the optical axis. Macroparticles were detected during the whole period of the discharge, and their velocity was determined either at the instant of peak current or when the current decreased to 10 percent of its peak value, at several spatial locations inside the discharge volume. The measured macroparticle velocity components ranged from about 10-20 m/s up to about 700 m/s, showing a systematic dependence on the instantaneous value of the arc-current and on the spatial position of the "probe-volume," e. g.     

活性剂等离子弧焊焊接电弧的光谱与热分析

针对活性剂等离子弧焊焊接过程,利用光谱分析方法对活性剂等离子弧焊焊接电弧进行光谱分析,采用红外热像伪着色法测定活性剂等离子弧焊焊接电弧温度场,并建立活性剂等离子弧焊焊接电弧热流密度径向分布模型,对焊接电弧的成分及焊接电弧温度场进行了研究。研究结果表明,常规等离子焊焊接电弧以氩原子和氩一次电离离子的谱线为主,金属蒸气谱线不突出,焊接电弧以气体粒子为主,属于气体电弧;活性剂等离子弧焊焊接电弧的光谱中氩原子及氩一次离子谱线的辐射强度增强,Ti,Cr,Fe金属谱线大量涌现;活性剂等离子弧焊焊接电弧的温度分布比较紧凑,温度场外形窄,温度分布范围较集中,电弧径向温度梯度较大;电弧径向温度分布呈现正态Gauss分布模式。     

Ion Beam Generation in a Vacuum Arc Ion Source with a Multicomponent Cathode

Russian Physics Journal - Vacuum arc ion sources are widely used for modifying the properties of various surfaces using ion implantation. The use of cathodes consisting of multicomponent compounds...     

Current Density in Arc Spots

The problem of the current density in cathode arc spots is briefly reviewed by a discussion of the principal experimental procedures and several theoretkal aspects. Average current densities of (typically) some 1011 A/m2 up to more than 1012 A/m2 seem to be the most probable values in the case of arc spots on clean surfaces.     

Technological Ion Sources Based on a Vacuum Arc Discharge

Technological ion sources of the TITAN type have been developed at the Institute of High Current Electronics, RAS, for the last ten years. These sources generate wide-aperture high-current beams of gas or metal ions and also mixed two-component gas-metal ion beams with a controllable component ratio. This is possible due to two discharge systems combined into one discharge system of the source. Metal ions are obtained with a vacuum arc discharge and gas ions are generated with a constricted hollow-cathode low-pressure arc discharge. This paper describes the principle and peculiarities of operation of the given sources, their design, parameters, and fields of application. A modified version of the Mevva ion source is considered. The design of this version is based on the results of studies conducted using the TITAN source.