Abstract: A tube picking mechanism is designed for use in an automated, ultra-low temperature (e.g., ?80° C.) storage and retrieval systems which stores biological or chemical samples. The samples are contained in storage tubes held in SBS footprint storage racks that are loaded into trays located within an ultra-low temperature freezer compartment (?80° C.). A tube picking mechanism resides in a tube picking chamber that is located adjacent the freezer compartment. The tube picking chamber is maintained at about ?20° C. when the tube picking mechanism is in operation. The tube picking mechanism includes a cache within the tube picking chamber to facilitate fast paced shuttling of the tube racks from the freezer compartment into the tube picking chamber. The shuttle has a clamping mechanism to secure a tube rack in place when a gripper head picks a tube from the rack. The system also includes a push pin that pushes on the bottom of the respective tube as it is being picked from the tube rack.

Abstract: A tube picking mechanism is designed for use in an automated, ultra-low temperature (e.g., ?80° C.) storage and retrieval systems which stores biological or chemical samples. The samples are contained in storage tubes held in SBS footprint storage racks that are loaded into trays located within an ultra-low temperature freezer compartment (?80° C.). A tube picking mechanism resides in a tube picking chamber that is located adjacent the freezer compartment. The tube picking chamber is maintained at about ?20° C. when the tube picking mechanism is in operation. The tube picking mechanism includes a cache within the tube picking chamber to facilitate fast paced shuttling of the tube racks from the freezer compartment into the tube picking chamber. The shuttle has a clamping mechanism to secure a tube rack in place when a gripper head picks a tube from the rack. The system also includes a push pin that pushes on the bottom of the respective tube as it is being picked from the tube rack.

Abstract: A superconducting rotating machine includes a stator assembly having at least one stator coil assembly. A rotor assembly, which includes an axial shaft, is configured to rotate within the stator assembly. The rotor assembly includes at least one superconducting winding assembly. A first and second end plate are rigidly attached to the axial shaft at distal ends of the at least one superconducting winding assembly. An asynchronous field filtering shield surrounds the at least one superconducting winding assembly. A first interconnection assembly connects the shield to the first end plate. The first interconnection assembly allows for axial movement between the shield and the first end plate but restricts tangential movement between the same.

Abstract: A superconducting coil assembly is of the type mounted to a rotor assembly of an electric rotating machine and, in operation, is maintained at cryogenic temperatures while the portion of the rotor assembly is maintained above cryogenic temperatures. The superconducting coil assembly includes at least one superconducting winding wound about a longitudinal axis of the coil assembly and having an inner radial surface defining a bore extending through the coil assembly. The coil assembly also includes at least one support member extending across the bore and mechanically coupled to the portion of the rotor assembly and to opposing portions of the inner radial surface of the at least one superconducting winding.

Abstract: A stator support system for supporting a stator coil assembly includes an inner support tube having an outer surface; spaced windings supported on the inner support tube with spaces between adjacent windings defining gaps; support members, each disposed within one of the gaps and having a first and second edge configured to mechanically engage the outer surface of the inner support tube; and a cross support positioned over the spaced winding and extending perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the stator coil assembly. The cross support having a first edge configured to mechanically engage the second edge of the support members.

Abstract: A stator support system for supporting a stator coil assembly includes a inner support tube having an outer surface; spaced windings supported on the inner support tube with spaces between adjacent windings defining gaps; support members, each disposed within one of the gaps and having a first and second edge configured to mechanically engage the outer surface of the inner support tube; and a cross support positioned over the spaced winding and extending perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the stator coil assembly. The cross support having a first edge configured to mechanically engage the second edge of the support members.

Abstract: A rotor assembly includes at least one superconducting winding assembly positioned within a cryogenic region of the rotor assembly, and a cantilevered member, mechanically coupled between the at least one superconducting winding assembly and the shaft. The cantilevered member extends between the non-cryogenic region and cryogenic region of the rotor assembly. The at least one superconducting winding assembly, in operation, generates a magnetic flux linking the stator assembly.

Abstract: The invention features an internally supported superconducting coil assembly. The invention includes several superconducting windings and at least one internal coil support member that forms a laminate stack alternating between an internal support member and a superconducting winding.

Abstract: A rotor assembly includes at least one superconducting winding assembly positioned within a cryogenic region of the rotor assembly, and a cantilevered member, mechanically coupled between the at least one superconducting winding assembly and the shaft. The cantilevered member extends between the non-cryogenic region and cryogenic region of the rotor assembly. The at least one superconducting winding assembly, in operation, generates a magnetic flux linking the stator assembly.

Abstract: A superconducting machine of the type having a stator assembly and a rotor assembly that rotates within the stator assembly and is spaced from the stator assembly by a gap is disclosed. This arrangement can be used, for example, to produce a superconducting motor or generator. In one aspect of the invention, the superconducting rotating machine includes at least one HTS superconducting winding assembly which, in operation, generates a magnetic flux linking the stator assembly and rotor assembly, a refrigeration system for cooling the at least one superconducting winding of the rotor assembly and the superconducting rotating machine has a torque density of approximately 75 Nm/Kg or more at 500 RPM or less.

Abstract: A superconducting rotating machine includes a stator assembly having at least one stator coil assembly. A rotor assembly, which includes an axial shaft, is configured to rotate within the stator assembly. The rotor assembly includes at least one superconducting winding assembly. A first and second end plate are rigidly attached to the axial shaft at distal ends of the at least one superconducting winding assembly. An asynchronous field filtering shield surrounds the at least one superconducting winding assembly. A first interconnection assembly connects the shield to the first end plate. The first interconnection assembly allows for axial movement between the shield and the first end plate but restricts tangential movement between the same.

Abstract: A superconducting coil assembly is of the type mounted to a rotor assembly of an electric rotating machine and, in operation, is maintained at cryogenic temperatures while the portion of the rotor assembly is maintained above cryogenic temperatures. The superconducting coil assembly includes at least one superconducting winding wound about a longitudinal axis of the coil assembly and having an inner radial surface defining a bore extending through the coil assembly. The coil assembly also includes at least one support member extending across the bore and mechanically coupled to the portion of the rotor assembly and to opposing portions of the inner radial surface of the at least one superconducting winding.

Abstract: A stator support system for supporting a stator coil assembly includes an inner support tube having an outer surface; spaced windings supported on the inner support tube with spaces between adjacent windings defining gaps; support members, each disposed within one of the gaps and having a first and second edge configured to mechanically engage the outer surface of the inner support tube; and a cross support positioned over the spaced winding and extending perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the stator coil assembly. The cross support having a first edge configured to mechanically engage the second edge of the support members.