A method and device for improving the discharge regime between two electrodes
First Claim
1. A method of improving a discharge regime of an electric arc produced in a low electrical resistance fluid medium, said arc being produced in said medium between at least two axially aligned arc-generating electrodes having their free ends disposed in axially spaced apart relation for defining a gap between same, the method comprising increasing the electrical resistance in said gap above the resistance of said fluid medium for modifying the shape of the electrical arc generated therebetween.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention relates to a method and to a device for improving the dische regime of an electric arc produced between two electrodes. The device is characterized in that it includes means an insulating element (32), preferably spherical in shape, for increasing the resistance to the passage of the electric arc (A) between ends of the electrodes (12, 14). By using the invention it is possible to obtain an arc discharge of the critically damped type. The method and the device are preferably used in shock wave generator apparatus for hydraulic lithotripsy.
8 Citations
19 Claims
- 1. A method of improving a discharge regime of an electric arc produced in a low electrical resistance fluid medium, said arc being produced in said medium between at least two axially aligned arc-generating electrodes having their free ends disposed in axially spaced apart relation for defining a gap between same, the method comprising increasing the electrical resistance in said gap above the resistance of said fluid medium for modifying the shape of the electrical arc generated therebetween.
- 6. A device for improving a discharge regime of an electric arc produced in a low electrical resistance medium between at least two axially aligned arc-generating electrodes having their free ends disposed in axially spaced apart relation for defining a gap therebetween, the device comprising means for increasing the electrical resistance in said gap above the electrical resistance of said medium, thereby modifying the shape of the electrical arc generated between the free ends of the electrodes.
- 10. A device for improving a discharge regime of an electric arc produced in a low electrical resistance medium, said electric arc being produced between at least two axially aligned, arc-generating electrodes having their free ends disposed in axially spaced apart relation for defining a gap therebetween, said device comprising a high resistance insulating element interposed in said gap between the free ends of the electrodes, the insulating element being substantially spherical in shape.
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12. A shock wave generator apparatus comprising a truncated ellipsoidal reflector having a first focus internal to said reflector and a second focus lying outside said reflector, said reflector being filled with a low electrical resistance liquid;
- at least two axially aligned, arc-generating electrodes having their free ends disposed in axially spaced apart relation for defining a gap therebetween, said free ends of said electrodes being immersed in said liquid;
a high electrical resistance insulating element interposed in the gap between the free ends of the electrodes; and
a support means mounted inside said truncated ellipsoidal reflector for supporting said insulating element. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
- at least two axially aligned, arc-generating electrodes having their free ends disposed in axially spaced apart relation for defining a gap therebetween, said free ends of said electrodes being immersed in said liquid;
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16. A shock wave generator apparatus for generating a shock wave by generating an electric arc between arc-generating electrodes, said apparatus comprising a chamber filled with a low electrical resistance liquid, two arc-generating electrodes axially aligned and having their free ends disposed in axially spaced apart relation for defining a gap therebetween, at least said free ends of the electrodes being disposed in said liquid in said chamber, said apparatus further comprising means for increasing the electrical resistance in said gap between the free ends of the electrodes for modifying the shape of the electrical arc generated therebetween.
- 17. A shock wave generator apparatus for generating a shock wave by generating an electric arc between two arc-generating electrodes, said apparatus comprising a chamber filled with a low electrical resistance liquid two arc-generating electrodes axially aligned and having their free ends disposed in axially spaced apart relation for defining a gap therebetween, said free ends of the electrodes being disposed in said liquid in said chamber, said apparatus further comprising a high resistance insulating element interposed in said gap between the free ends of the electrodes, said insulating element constituting an obstacle to the direct passage of the electric arc between the free ends of the electrodes.
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19. In a process for generating a shock wave in a shock wave generator by generating an electric arc between two electrodes, said electrodes being axially aligned and having their free ends disposed in axially spaced apart relation for defining a gap therebetween, the free ends of the electrodes being immersed in a low electrical resistance liquid medium, wherein the improvement comprises a step of increasing the electrical resistance in said gap between the free ends of the electrodes thereby modifying the shape of the electrical arc generated therebetween.
Specification