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Electrohydraulic probe having a controlled discharge path

  • US 5,154,722 A
  • Filed: 09/14/1990
  • Issued: 10/13/1992
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/05/1988
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A probe for electrohydraulically impacting objects, the probe comprising:

  • first electrode means defining a metallic sleeve located at a distal tip of the probe, said metallic sleeve having a seat proximate the distal tip;

    second electrode means spatially disposed relative to and surrounding said first electrode means and positioned at a preselected space therefrom for defining a uniformly spaced controlled discharge path therebetween; and

    insulating means disposed between and enclosing the space between the first electrode means defining the metallic sleeve and said second electrode means wherein said seat proximate the distal tip receives said insulating means, said insulating means comprising a relatively mechanically rigid dielectric material for structurally maintaining the preselected space between the first electrode means and the second electrode means while preventing a discharge through the insulating means and being responsive to a selected discharge voltage being applied between the first electrode means and the second electrode means to cause a controlled electrical discharge shock to occur only across said uniformly spaced controlled discharge path which generates and applies a hydraulic shock wave to said objects to impact the same.

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