Electrical arc trigger systems, methods, and apparatuses

摘要

Systems, methods, and apparatuses for triggering electrical arcs are disclosed. Such arcs are useful for testing combustible fluids and equipment operating near ignition hazards. In some embodiments, arcs are produced with a defined energy at a defined time with little variation in arc energy. Consistent production of arcs is facilitated by one or more of conditioned electrodes, control and/or reduction of parasitic capacitance, avoidance of corona sources, and non-interfering arc triggers. In some embodiments, electrodes are conditioned by repeated application of conditioning arcs. Conditioned electrodes have relatively physically consistent and chemically consistent tips. In some embodiments, arc triggers are charged particle sources such as light sources operating in cooperation with a target to produce free electrons proximate the electrodes.

主权项

1. A method of generating a controlled electrical arc in a component test system, comprising:
applying an electrode voltage across an electrode gap delimited by a first electrode tip and a second electrode tip, wherein the electrode voltage is about 0-300 V less than a breakdown voltage of a medium spanning the electrode gap; storing stored energy in a capacitor to be discharged across the electrode gap; and triggering an arc with an arc energy across the electrode gap, wherein the triggering includes illuminating the first electrode tip with UV light to emit electrons from the first electrode tip and to trigger the arc with the electrons, wherein the UV light has a photon energy that is greater than or equal to a work function of the first electrode tip, and wherein the arc energy is substantially the same as the stored energy.