Fig. 2.--Mechanical analogy of electrical oscillator.
I have likened a condenser to a reservoir R into which by means of a pump p an incompressible fluid as water W is supplied through a feed pipe p, as illustrated in the second diagram, Fig. 2, the fluid representing electricity, the pump the generator and the feed pipe the connecting wire. The reservoir has a movable bottom, held up by a spring S, and opens the ports oo when the fluid in the vessel has reached a certain height and the pressure has become sufficient to overcome the elastic force of the spring. To complete the model, adjustable weights w, a screw s for allowing the tension of the spring, and a valve v for regulating the flow of the fluid are provided. With the giving away of the bottom, the fluid in the reservoir acquires velocity and consequently momentum, which results, in an increased pressure against the bottom causing the latter to open wider, and more of the fluid rushes out than the feed pipe can supply, whereupon the spring reasserts itself, closing again the ports, and the same process is repeated in more or less rapid succession. This opening and closing of the bottom may be likened to the making and breaking of the conducting path, the frictional resistance in this mechanical system to the ohmic resistance and, obviously, the inertia of the moving masses to the self-induction of the electric circuit. Now it is evident that, in order to keep in action the mechanism without the employment of auxiliary means, the average rate of supply through the pipe must be inferior to the average rate of discharge through the bottom; for, if it be otherwise, the ports will simply remain open and no vibration will take place. The more nearly the average rate of supply equals the average rate of discharge, the quicker will the bottom open and close; and it is furthermore clear from a consideration of simple mechanical principles that, if the fluid be supplied so fast through the feed pipe that the bottom vibrates as it would of its own accord, then the amplitude of the vibration will be the largest, the pressure against the bottom the strongest, and the greatest amount of fluid will be passed through the ports. All these considerations hold good for the electric circuit, and in experiments with high frequency machines, in which these effects were purposely magnified with the view of rendering their observation more easy, I have found that that condition is fulfilled when the capacity, self *induction, and frequency of vibration bear a certain relation, which observation I have since utilized in the adjustment of inductive circuits. You will note that this condition governing the rate of supply and discharge, most important in practice, especially when no positively acting mechanical means are employed for effecting the rupture of the dielectric, is a distinct one and should not be confounded with the condition determining the oscillatory character of the discharge investigated long ago by Lord Kelvin.
The next step in the evolution of the principle and its adaptation to practical uses was to associate with the system illustrated in Fig. 1 a self-induction coil L, as shown in diagram Fig. 3, which modified the action in many now well understood ways. In a simplified form of this arrangement the condenser, as a distinctive part of the system, was done away with, the necessary capacity being given to the coil itself, and for this purpose the turns of the latter were wound as illustrated in Fig. 4 so as to allow the storage of the proper and generally the largest possible amount of energy. Then I associated a secondary coil S with the primary circuit P, as shown in Fig. 5, this enabling the obtaining of any tension required. After this, the arrangement in diagram Fig. 6. was adopted as best suitable for the existing municipal circuits. Again, the self-explanatory diagram Fig. 7. typically illustrates a further improved disposition as used in some of these machines with two or more circuits. A modification of this plan with one continuous contact common to the two circuits, and independent interrupters for each of these, allows easy adjustment of the phase of the currents through the primary, which is of practical advantage in some uses of the apparatus. Finally, in diagram Fig. 8 is shown the exact arrangement of the parts and circuits of one of these small oscillators with a break similar to that usually employed in connection with induction coils. Although the majority of the preceding arrangements have been described by me before, I thought it necessary to dwell on them here in order to present clearly and comprehensively the subject.
A specific result of value in the operation of Roentgen bulbs is obtainable by the use of two circuits linked as shown in Fig. 7, or otherwise, or entirely independent with two separate primaries.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obFj9x1u4lAwe learn much more..
for one capacity, self induction, and frequency of supply and discharge..
adding an inductor modified the circuit..
Pay strict attention to tesla. . He is telling me in his own words my air charge accumulator can push the fluid through the wire at a higher pressure, at higher rates.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s254r-42sSQ as you see here the rate of discharge may be made continuous.