The Kine-Klydonograph - A Transient Waveform Recorder

The paper describes an instrument of the klydonograph type which gives a record in the form of as many as 36 different Lichtenberg figures for a given applied voltage wave. Taken in combination, these figures permit the diagnosis of the applied wave with respect to its waveform and crest amplitude. In particular, the prestrike theory 2 predicts a current spike of fast front and short duration, followed by a relatively long tailed wave of moderately slow front. The instrument was designed with this duality of possibilities in mind, and laboratory tests indicate that it functions in the expected manner. The instrument is 18 by 12¿ by 5 inches in size and weighs about 18 pounds. It is actually two complete instruments in one case which can be given different sensitivities by means of resistance voltage dividers. It is responsive to wavefronts over the complete range of 0.05-10 ¿sec, and deductions of wavefront can be made with reasonable accuracy over this range.