Nikola Tesla - Free-Energy Devices

284 INVENTIONS OF NIKOLA TKSLA.necessitated by the impossibility of carrying off enough energywith such impulses in high vacuum, since the few atoms whichare around theterminal upon coining in contact with the same,are repelled and kept at a distance for a comparatively longperiod of time, and not enough work can be performed to renderthe effect perceptible to the eye. If the difference of potentialbetween the terminals is raised, the dielectric breaks down. Butwith very high frequency impulses there is no necessity for suchbreaking down, since any amount of work can be performed bycontinually agitating the atoms in the exhausted vessel, providedthe frequency is higli enough. It is easy to reach even withFIG. 161. FIG. 162.frequencies obtained from an alternator as here used a stage atwhich the discharge does not pass between two electrodes in anarrow tube, each of these being connected to one of the terminalsof the coil, but it is difficult to reach a point at which aluminous discharge would not occur around each electrode.A thought which naturally presents itself in connection withhigh frequency currents, is to make use of their powerful electrodynamicinductive action to produce light effects in a sealed glassglobe. The leading-in wire is one of the defects of the presentincandescent lamp, and if no other improvement were made,that imperfection at least should be done away with. Following