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How powerful is the creator of the ancient mysterious device: the induction coil?
On an ordinary day in 1836, Irish priest Nicholas Callan and American inventor Charles Grafton Page simultaneously invented a mysterious device that changed the world. , that is the induction coil. This device not only revealed the fundamental principles of electromagnetism but also laid the foundation for countless applications.
Basic structure and operating principle of induction coil
An induction coil, often called a spark coil, is a transformer that uses a low-voltage DC power supply to generate high-voltage pulses. It consists of two insulated coils wound on a common core, namely the primary winding and the secondary winding. The primary winding is short and thick, and the secondary winding has hundreds of thousands to one million turns of thin wires. When current flows through the primary, a magnetic field is generated in the core.
The magic of the induction coil lies in the principle of electromagnetic induction it utilizes, which was first proposed by Michael Faraday in 1831.
When DC current flows into the primary winding, the magnetic field increases as the current increases; when the current is disconnected, the magnetic field collapses instantly, and this change generates a high voltage pulse in the secondary winding. The voltage of this pulse can Up to thousands of volts, it is enough to form an arc, so it is also called a spark coil.
The role of the disruptor
To continue operating, the induction coil requires a mechanical device called an interrupter that repeatedly connects and disconnects the primary current. This device vibrates a mechanical mass, causing current flow and interruption up to high frequencies, which is particularly important in high-power applications.
The design of the jammer and its fast switching capabilities are key to achieving high voltage pulses.
Early jammers were manually operated, but as technology advanced, scientists adopted designs more suitable for high-speed operation, such as immersion jammers that use mercury to achieve 2,000 switches per second. These technological innovations play a key role in improving the power output and stability of induction coils.
Practical application and historical impact
From the 19th century to the early 20th century, induction coils were used in a variety of applications, including X-ray machines, spark gap radio transmitters, and arc lighting. The development of construction techniques and principles of this device helped advance modern electrical technology.
The induction coil was the first electrical transformer, and many of the basic principles of electromagnetism were discovered during its development.
In addition, advances in induction coils have also promoted innovation in many fields such as radios and medical equipment. Especially in the early days of radio technology, induction coils became the cornerstone of development. Scholars confirmed the existence of electromagnetic waves through experiments and further developed wireless communications on this basis.
Contemporary applications and future prospects
Although the use of induction coils has declined somewhat today, they are still important in specific areas, such as ignition coils in internal combustion engines and the demonstration of experiments in physics education. Induction coils allow students to intuitively understand the workings of the principles of electromagnetic induction and inspire their passion for science.
Induction coils are not only the crystallization of ancient technology, but also inspire modern scientific exploration and experiments.
Looking back at the development of this technology and the creators behind it, we can’t help but wonder, what other new technologies can such an invention inspire?
