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Registered Member #3637
Joined: Fri Jan 21 2011, 11:07PM
Location: Buffalo, NY
Posts: 1068
I was wondering, Tesla coils use a similar schematic and design process as a resonant tank circuit right? Couldn't you use the same design and use it to run flyback transformers, or use them to make an induction heater using the same idea? You would probably have to change a few design elements (the capacitor farad count most probable) And some other things, but could it be done? Sorry if this is a bad idea but it's just been floating around in my mind the past few days.
Registered Member #1875
Joined: Sun Dec 21 2008, 06:36PM
Location:
Posts: 635
Tesla coils use spark gaps because they are the most robust solution in terms of switches. They can carry pretty much any level of power. This is fine for a Tesla coil because there is no risk of saturation of an iron core, and if it starts acting funky that just means it needs better tuning (or a bigger secondary!).
Driving a flyback can be done with a Tesla coil circuit, but you need high voltage for a spark gap, so would you really use a high voltage transformer to feed a spark gap to feed a flyback transformer? The results from the flyback would be dwarfed by the spark gap, anyway, and you risk saturating the flyback transformer core. Not to mention, your efficiency will be terrible.
A solid state driver would be more practical, and if you were talking about solid state Tesla coil drivers, then that's just overcomplicating a flyback transformer driving circuit. It would work until the resonant rise causes the flyback transformer to arc internally or saturate, or both.
As for an induction heater:
Yup! It'll work! People just prefer it work more efficiently, and there is no reason for transferring megawatts of power at low duty cycle when you could handle kilowatts of cw power.
Registered Member #1875
Joined: Sun Dec 21 2008, 06:36PM
Location:
Posts: 635
There are a lot of articles on solid state coils on this forum and on the web, but the only thing that comes close to being a direct replacement would be something like this:
The spark gap is a fast and virtually unbreakable, but lossy, switch. There are many solid state switches, called transistors. I'm sure you've heard of them- bipolar junction transistors, thyristors, FETs, IGBTs, etc. If you read up on a few of those, things will make more sense.
Registered Member #3637
Joined: Fri Jan 21 2011, 11:07PM
Location: Buffalo, NY
Posts: 1068
I'm aware of all types of silicon, but there aren't really any types that work on voltage coming directly out of the capacitors. Would a high voltage Zener Diode Work, if there are any?
Registered Member #1875
Joined: Sun Dec 21 2008, 06:36PM
Location:
Posts: 635
If you mean they cannot be controlled by the high voltage, then perhaps you are aware of all silicon but the SIDAC, which is discussed in the paper I linked. A zener diode does not present a short when its zener voltage is reached, but rather, clamps the voltage across it to that value. The SIDAC is the closest thing to a solid state spark gap, but has not shown good results at all when being used as one. Instead, it's suggested that they be used to trigger the gate of another transistor, as discussed in the previously mentioned article.
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Tesla Coils and the way they work...
