wimshurst machine meaning
Noun: Wimshurst machine
- Electrical device that produces a high voltage by building up a charge of static electricity
- electrostatic generator, electrostatic machine, Van de Graaff generator
Derived forms: Wimshurst machines
Type of: electrical device
Encyclopedia: Wimshurst machine
[Electronics]
A rotating machine used to produce high-voltage static electricity. The machine contains two glass disks, each having separate sectors of metal foil spaced around its face. The disks rotate in opposite directions, and the foil sectors passing each other form variable capacitors. Metal brushes pick up charges from the sectors passing under them and deliver this energy to one or more Leyden jars for storage.
Examples
More: Next- It was not till 1883 that the Wimshurst machine was more fully reported to the scientific community.
- To these predecessors, Wimshurst made many modifications with the result known as the Holtz-Wimshurst machine.
- Pidgeon machines are a combination of a Wimshurst Machine and Voss Machine, with special features adapted to reduce the amount of charge leakage.
- A typical Wimshurst machine can produce sparks that are about a third of the disc's diameter in length and several tens of microamperes.
- For example, visitors can generate a 60, 000 volt spark with a Wimshurst machine and challenge family members to a game of Mindball.