When I started with Tesla coils ages ago I only used spark gaps and neon transformers.
Now I try to step up to SSTC's and later on want to go DRSSTC.
But one thing still stumbles me when it comes to the phenomenon of resonance :
I might be wrong with how I understand it, which could be part of my problem LOL
Back in the day I learned from a few old blokes how to build Tesla coils.
And they explained the stuff like this.
When the spark fires and closes the circuit the stored energy from the tank cap will cause the coil and cap to swing at their resonant frequency.
The amplitude starts strong and then fades down until the spark extinguishes.
The secondary is forced to act on the magentic field changes and starts to swing as well until the voltage built up is high enough to cause a break out.
So far that was always easy to understand.
But then I was told that while both coils are swinging the secondary also transfers energy back to the primary, which in return causes a longer swing time.
Would mean not just a single lightning strike but a succession of multiple strikes until the energy levels are too low.
All this happens with nice a nice sinus curve.
But when we go digital we often use measures to prevent boltage from flowing back into the "switch" with diodes and other filter measures.
With a SSTC we force the primary to swing at the resonant frequency of the secondary.
A DRSSTC has both sides in resonance.
But what happens to the additional energy transfer between the coils when the secondary would transfer some back to the primary?
I mean with a forced and constant signal this additional energy should cause the voltage in the primary to go even higher than with a spark gap.
What started as a simple and fun project starts to turn into a mental nightmare for an old man LOL
First I thought I only need to know how my mains voltage creates nice arcs from my secondary.
For that I need to understand resonance.
We deal resonance both for the magnetic and electrostatic field as well as for the radio waves.
Ok, slightly more than planned but managable...
Then came magnetic coupling.
With that coil and field properties.
Also standing waves, self- and layer capacitance and grounding of RF power...
It is soooo much easier doing it just for fun instead of trying to fully understand what happens and why it happens
By the way: Is there any easy way to simulate the magnetic field of a coil or two coils like in a Tesla coil?
What I found so far is far too complex for the old man behind the keyboard.
Was hoping for something that allows to create a coil or to import a 3D model of it, add some parameters and see the magnetic field on my screen.
So without endless calculations and the use of multiple programs to create a video from still images or screenshots.
I guess my chances are slim to none?
