Electrohydrodynamic pump for cooling of high-voltage devices

The problem of dielectric strength increase, reduction of power consumption, overall dimensions, weight and cost of high-voltage high-power devices, in particular, Thyratrons, Pseudosparks, Vacuum Interrupters, X-Ray tubes, Micro-Wave and other electronic devices, is closely related to simplification of their cooling systems. Usually the cooling of these devices is made by liquid pumping by means of mechanical pumps with electric motor drive. In the given paper some other, more effective ways of electrodes cooling in the high- voltage electronic device are investigated. The liquid dielectric moves in the cooling system only under effect of electrical field of electrodes. As an example of cooling systems the influence of "virtual valve" structural element on pumping speed is shown. Virtual valve regulates the now of liquid and allows to dramatically increase pumping speed. Methods of measurement of now rate of a liquid dielectric are shown. The cooling system with 10 litres/min flow rate allowed to remove thermal load of about 1 kW (including state of weightlessness) at voltages of 50 ÷ 150 kV with energy consumption in the cooling loop of about 0,02 W.