Abstract: Method and apparatus are presented for providing an electric field-free region for fiber optic cables in near proximity to high voltage power lines by means of a conducting electrical shield at the same voltage as the power line. An electric field-free region is still provided even if the electrical shield is omitted, by having the wires of the power line completely surround the fiber optic cable. An electric field-free region is also provided by embedding the optical fiber inside each wire of the power line. The electric field free region for a fiber optic cable prevents electrical treeing and other undesirable effects that would make the cable inoperable.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are presented for snaring explosive, combustible, and other hazardous compounds in vapor and in particulate form, and also combustion residues, which system can be used to prevent, or retrodict the cause of explosions, fires, etc. after they have occurred. The snares are in the form of gated chambers on rotating time disks and moving belts which are used to capture molecules and particulate matter. The combination detects hazardous molecules and combustible particles or causes of dust explosions; and indicates an approximate time-history record of the evolution of particles before or during the course of fires and explosions, or other onerous occurances.

Abstract: A motor/generator that is operable in an inductive mode during a startup phase and in a synchronous mode thereafter. Superconductor material is included in either the stator or the rotator and a magnetic field generator is included in the other of these two members. Induced fields in a torque-shield provide coupling between the stator and the rotor during the startup phase and then a trapped field in the superconductor provides coupling between the stator and the rotor thereafter.

Abstract: Magnetic energy is stored in trapped form in a wide variety of superconducting masses such as granules, particulates, foil, and thin film to be released as electrical energy by magnetically coupling to a normal coil as the trapped field is caused to decay. This trapped-field energy storage (TES) has many advantages over other superconducting energy storage schemes including elevated temperature operation, lowered refrigeration capital and operating costs, lowered costs of cryogen, lowered thermal conduction losses, lowered cost of thermal insulation, capability of operating in modular form, and transportability of the trapped magnetic energy.

Abstract: An array of SQUID detectors to map the magnetic field associated with test currents flowing in the component to be tested. The SQUID is an ultrasensitive, miniature device that transduces a faint magnetic field to a measurable voltage. Perturbation occurs in the test currents and the associated magnetic field at physical defects or inhomogeneities. Multi-dimensional test currents are injected into the component being tested; the injection being made between specific electrodes by varying the direction of the current until it is normal to the direction of the defect to maximize and amplify the effect of the perturbation. The perturbation is detected by the SQUID grid which pinpoints the location, orientation, and size of the defect. The frequency of the injected current can be made to sweep the spectrum from DC to the highest response limit of the SQUID to scan for defects at various depths.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for an emission controlled current limiting device. The apparatus may control the current thermionically, by cold cathode emission, by photo-emission, or with plasma devices; the common feature being that the current is limited by controlling a series emission process. The apparatus has applications in both power line transmission and distribution networks to protect existing utility equipment and reduce the cost of new equipment.

Abstract: A number of metal cores especially suitable for use in an electrical induction device such as a transformer are disclosed herein along with respective methods of making these cores. In accordance with each of these methods, the appropriate metal material is initially provided and thereafter formed into an unsolidified, preliminary shape. Thereafter, while the material is in its preliminary shape, it is densified, preferably by means of explosion bonding, whereby to improve its permeability and saturation field characteristics. In one embodiment, a metal material is initially provided as a continuous strip. In another embodiment, the metal material is initially provided as a number of plates and still in another, preferred embodiment, amorphous metal particulate material is utilized. In this latter embodiment, the orientation of the particulate material is controlled to further improve the permeability and saturation field characteristics of the ultimately formed core.

Abstract: An electrical coaxial cable is disclosed herein including an inner conductor and a concentric outer conductor electrically insulated from one another by means of a layer of dielectric material disposed therebetween. A series of concentric layers of electrically conductive polymer material serve to shield the insulation layer from the inner and outer conductors and also divide the insulation layer into individual concentric segments.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed herein for separating out one group of polar particles for example PCB molecules having polar moments of given magnitudes, from a separate group of polar particles, for example oil molecules having polar moments of lesser magnitude, in a mixture of the two. This is accomplished by utilizing a chamber containing a substance which has an affinity for the first particle, preferably neoprene in the case of PCB. The substance is carried by arrangements of electrodes or the like which produce a non-uniform electric field in the chamber which causes the first particle, e.g. the PCB, to be attracted toward the substance carried by the electrodes, e.g., the neoprene, faster than the second particles. In this way, first particles are separated out from the mixture and are absorbed by a particle collecting substance of suitable type.

Abstract: A cable for cryogenic use includes an inner conductor and a solid polymeric insulator loosely positioned about said inner conductor above 0.degree. C. A collapsible spacer can be positioned between the inner conductor and the polymeric insulator to further space the insulator away from the conductor and thereby accommodate greater shrinkage of the insulator. In fabricating the cable, the cable is sealed and pressure is applied to the cable to expand the insulation. The cable is placed inside a rigid cylinder having an inside diameter larger than the outside diameter of the cable. The cylinder is heated to facilitate expansion of the insulation, and the cylinder is subsequently cooled while maintaining pressure to the cable.

Abstract: A thermionic fault current limiter utilizes either a vacuum or plasma environment for a plurality of spaced conduction electrodes. The electrode can be supported by insulative spacers with the electrode providing shadow shields for the supporting spacers. Electrode spacing, power density, temperature gradients, and control grids can be utilized for optimum operation and in establishing self-absorption of energy for a desired operating environment. Cesium desorption from the electrode surfaces can be utilized to enhance current termination.

Abstract: A cable for cryogenic use includes an inner conductor and a solid polymeric insulator loosely positioned about said inner conductor about 0.degree. C. A collapsible spacer can be positioned between the inner conductor and the polymeric insulator to further space the insulator away from the conductor and thereby accommodate greater shrinkage of the insulator. In fabricating the cable, the cable is sealed and pressure is applied to the cable to expand the insulation. The cable is placed inside a rigid cylinder having an inside diameter larger than the outside diameter of the cable. The cylinder is heated to facilitate expansion of the insulation, and the cylinder is subsequently cooled while maintaining pressure to the cable.

Abstract: A coaxial electric power transmission cable has an inner conductor within an outer conductor with solid dielectric material provided in the space therebetween. The dielectric material is solid at operating temperatures but non-solid at ambient temperature. An insulative spacer is provided for maintaining the coaxial alignment. The spacer includes insulative material which is identical to the solid dielectric material and may include a solid insulative insert having a solidification point higher than the insulative material whereby at least approximate coaxial spacing may be maintained should the insulative material not be maintained as a solid.

Abstract: A gas cooled lightning arrester includes a plurality of zinc oxide blocks which are joined together to form serially connected non-linear resistors and capacitors. The blocks may be joined by clamps or metal plates may be bonded to the ends of the blocks. Cooling fins integral with the zinc oxide blocks or provided by the metal plates facilitate heat dissipation. The housing for the lightning arrester includes an inner wall which defines a channel for the convection flow of gas coolant.

Abstract: A cable such as used in cryogenic and superconductive applications includes an inner conductor, an outer conductor or shield, and a solid dielectric between the inner and outer conductors. The dielectric is introduced into the space between conductors in liquid or gaseous form, preferably under pressure, and the temperature of the dielectric is lowered to or below the freezing point for the material. Pressure relief should the solid dielectric suddenly vaporize by rapid heat rise is provided by holes in the outer conductor or by scoring the inner surface of the outer conductor to provide rupture points in the conductor.

Abstract: A high-voltage DC transmission system and method is characterized by a minimum filtering requirement as to ripple as well as to surge and harmonics. Use of a superconducting generator directly coupled to rectifying means eliminates the requirement of a step-up transformer and allows operation at high frequency for minimizing ripple (and related filtering).

Abstract: Apparatus and method utilizing superconductors in the persistent current state are provided for storing magnetic fields of any configuration in such a way that the field may be varied in a controlled and reproducible manner; for creating a complex and/or large volume field by either of two modular methods; and for producing the most miniaturized magnetic field. Means are provided for increasing the fidelity, the magnitude, and the stability of the stored magnetic field.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for a stored magnetic field in a superconducting, rotating electrical machine. The apparatus includes a cylinder of superconductive material in which a magnetic field is trapped. The trapped magnetic field forms a magnetic circuit with an armature winding in the machine. The apparatus further includes means for generating a magnetic pattern field in the superconductive cylinder and means for cooling the cylinder so that a magnetic field can be trapped therein. The apparatus has application in both motors and generators and in both rotating and stationary magnetic fields used therein.

Abstract: A high voltage overhead electrical transmission cable in which an electrical conductor is eccentrically disposed in a water permeable electrically conductive jacket in electrical contact with the jacket to create a chamber therebetween. A layer of high water-sorbing material, preferably water swellable and insoluble gel-forming polymer, is disposed in the chamber. In this system, water falling on the surface of the jacket permeates through it for absorption by the sorbing material to reduce corona losses.

Abstract: A heat pump for cooling or heating a conditioned space includes an underground heat pipe laid into a hole in the ground back-filled with soil. The heat transfer of the soil is improved by dispersing highly water-absorbent hydrophilic polymeric gel particles soaked with water around the heat pipe. The water-soaked particles preferably are coated with a water-impermeable film. The water may also be entrapped in liquid form in small bags. Also, a water impermeable sheath may be formed around the back-fill soil to minimize evaporation from the particles.This is a division of application Ser. No. 718,348 filed Aug. 27, 1976, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,042,012.