The effect of activating fluxes on the cathode spots in the activating TIG welding

The cathode spots are a common phenomenon in the TIG(tungsten inert gas)welding process.However,it is rarely observed in the activating TIG welding process.This research is mainly focused on the effect of activating flux on cathode spots in the activating TIG welding.The characteristics and behaviors of cathode spots were investigated in activating TIG welding by the high-speed camera and the spectrograph.Three kinds of oxide(TiO_(2),SiO_(2),MnO_(2))and two halide(MnCl_(2),CaF_(2))activating fluxes are used in the activating TIG welding process.The results show that differ from the TIG welding,the oxide activating flux increases the number of cathode spots and decreases the velocity.The effect is the opposite for the halide activating flux.Moreover,the number of spots no longer varies with the current except TiO2 activating flux.As the temperature of the weld pool surface increases the spot moves away from the center.But this rule is not valid when silica and manganese compounds activating fluxes are used.The variation of cathode spots is caused by the oxide film reformed and the distribution of weld slag.The formation mechanism of cathode spots might be the impact of ions on the cathode surface and the strong electric field formed near the cathode surface.

Control of vacuum arc source cathode spots contraction motion by changing electromagnetic field

This paper investigates the magnetic field component impact on cathode spots motion trajectory and the mechanism of periodic contraction.Electromagnetic coils and permanent magnets were installed at the different sides of cathode surface,the photographs of cathode spots motion trajectory were captured by a camera.Increasing the number of magnets and decreasing the distance between magnets and cathode both lead to enhancing cathode spots motion velocity.Radii of cathode spots trajectory decrease gradually with the increasing of electromagnetic coil＇s current,from 40 mm at 0 A to 10 mm at 2.7 A.Parallel magnetic field component intensity influence the speed of cathode spots rotate motion,and perpendicular magnetic field component drives spots drift in the radial direction.Cathode spot＇s radial drift is controlled by changing the location of the ‘zero line＇ where perpendicular magnetic component shifts direction and the radius of cathode spots trajectory almost equal to ‘zero line＇.

Distribution of Cathode Spots in Vacuum Arc Under Nonuniform Axial Magnetic Fields

Recent results on the distribution of vacuum arc cathode spots （CSs） in nonuniform axial magnetic field （AMF） are presented. Based on previous studies, we deem that two contrary influences of AMF, inward effect and outward effect, are attributed to CSs distribution. With this notion, we have analyzed the controlling effectiveness of nonuniform AMF on CSs distribution. Experiments were conducted in a detachable vacuum chamber with iron-style AMF electrodes. Images of vacuum arc column and the distribution of CSs were photographed with a high-speed charge coupled device （CCD） camera. Experimental results agreed well with the theoretical analysis.

Investigation of cathode spot characteristics in vacuum under transverse magnetic field (TMF) contacts

With the continuous improvement of current levels in power systems, the demands on the breaking capacity requirements of vacuum circuit breakers are getting higher and higher. The breaking capacity of vacuum breakers is determined by cathode spots, which provide electrons and metal vapor to maintain the arc. In this paper, experiments were carried out on two kinds of transverse magnetic field（TMF） contacts in a demountable vacuum chamber, the behavior of the cathode spots was recorded by a high-speed charge-coupled device（CCD） video camera, and the characteristics of the cathode spots were analyzed through the image processing method. The phenomenon of cathode spot groups and the star-shaped pattern of the spots were both discovered in the experiment. The experimental results show that with the condition of TMF contacts the initial expansion speed of cathode spots is influenced by some parameters, such as the tested current, contact gap, the structure of the contact, the contact diameter, the number of slots, etc. In addition, the influence of the magnetic field on the formation of the cathode spot groups, the distribution, and the dynamic characteristics of the cathode spots were analyzed. It is concluded that the characteristics of the cathode spots are due to the effect of the magnetic field on the near-cathode plasma. The study of the characteristics of cathode spots in this paper would be helpful in the exploration of the physical process of vacuum arcs, and would be of guiding significance in optimizing the design of vacuum circuit breakers.

Formation of a 40 A DC Current Arc During the Opening of Silver Contacts

The erosion of silver contacts due to break arcs with length proportional to time and of variable duration has been measured by weighing the contacts following 5000 openings at a constant current equal to 40 A.The experimental results show that,for arc durations shorter than 60 μs,the transfer of metal from the anode to the cathode occurs,but after passing this stage,when the two electrodes are separated by greater distances,each will display erosion.This is the result of the diffusion of material outside the space between the two electrodes.In order to interpret these results,we have applied a classical model of the physical phenomena occurring at the root of the arc.Analysis of the experimental results shows that for an arc duration of less than15 μs,no distinct cathode root is seen to exist,but beyond this,several spots appear gradually on the cathode for arc duration up to 50 μs,after which they merge into a single spot.The comparison between experiment results and theoretical interpretation is reasonable up to 60 μs.

Study of electron-extraction characteristics of an inductively coupled radio-frequency plasma neutralizer

Inductively coupled radio-frequency（RF） plasma neutralizer（RPN） is an insert-free device that can be employed as an electron source in electric propulsion applications.Electron-extraction characteristics of the RPN are related to the bulk plasma parameters and the device＇s geometry.Therefore,the effects of different electron-extraction apertures and operational parameters upon the electron-extraction characteristics are investigated according to the global nonambipolar flow and sheath model.Moreover,these models can also be used to explain why the electron-extraction characteristics of the RPN strongly depend upon the formation of the anode spot.During the experimental study,two types of anode spots are observed.Each of them has unique characteristics of electron extraction.Moreover,the hysteresis of an anode spot is observed by changing the xenon volume-flow rates or the bias voltages.In addition,the rapid ignited method,gas-utilization factor,electron-extraction cost and other factors that need to be considered in the design of the RPN are also discussed.