METHOD AND APPARATUS TO DETECT AND CORRECT THE ELECTRODE POSITION, IN PARTICULAR FOR SHOCK WAVE GENERATORS WITH A HYDRAULIC JACK AS A FEELER IN THE FOCAL POINT

摘要

The invention relates to a method and to apparatus for detecting and correcting the positions of electrodes. The device comprises means for advancing the electrodes to cause them to advance and retract, preferably in an individual and independent manner, together with detector means (10) capable of being disposed at and of being retracted from the focus (F) at which an electric arc or discharge is to be provided between the electrodes (2, 4) and said detector means being suitable for detecting the presence of an electrode at said focus. Position correction then consists in successively bringing each electrode to the focus (F) into contact with said detector means which are advantageously constituted by a rod (12) of an actuator (14), prior to retracting each electrode through a predetermined distance d. The invention makes it possible to detect and correct the positions of electrodes at will, in an entirely simple manner capable of being automated.