(cont.) above atmospheric pressure caused both positive current and negative current pulses with the negative pulse larger than the positive pulse. A pressure decrease of more than 10psi below atmospheric pressure also caused both positive current and negative current pulses with the positive current larger than the negative current pulse. Experiments showed that the negative current was generated by the galvanic action between the two dissimilar metals in the triaxial connector connecting the center electrode of the electrode chamber with the electrometer, as water condensed. Positive current could have been produced by the evaporation of moisture from the center electrode of the electrode chamber. Dew point analysis is performed to show that for water to condense on metallic surfaces, it is not necessary to reach the dew point. The calculated dew point temperature is lower than the temperature at which the water condenses upon the electrode surfaces. In the liquid and solid dielectric experiments, we use a patented Faraday cage which is composed of two identical in-line hollow, gold-plated Faraday cup electrodes that enclose the samples which move between them during each measurement under computer control. We conducted charge measurements using various electrometers to rule out the possibility of false instrument readings due to input offset voltage and other experimental effects. One wire mesh style of Faraday cage connected with an electrometer was also used to measure the charge. The liquid dielectrics are distilled water, tap water, Sargasso Sea water ...
展开▼
