Patents by Inventor Wolfgang Nick

Wolfgang Nick has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11430584
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to DC transmission. Some embodiments may include a device for DC transmission comprising: a superconducting transmission line including a superconducting conductor element; and a cooling device for cooling an inner region of the transmission line with a fluid coolant to a temperature below a critical temperature of the superconducting conductor element. The superconducting transmission line may comprise a vacuum-insulated sleeve thermally isolating the inner region of the transmission line from a warmer outer surrounding area. The cooling device may comprise a feed device feeding coolant at an end region of the transmission line into the inner region of the transmission line. The transmission line may be free of internally arranged feed devices for feeding coolant at locations away from the end region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: SIEMENS ENERGY GLOBAL GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Tabea Arndt, Anne Bauer, Jörn Grundmann, Denis Steyn, Wolfgang Nick, Michael Tenzer, Peter Van Hasselt
  • Patent number: 10819177
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a stator for an AC electric machine with a number of magnetic poles comprising: a central axis; and a stator winding with a plurality of conductor turns. The individual conductor turns are grouped into a total of n electrical strands. The individual conductor turns of a respective electrical strand define a first conductor branch and a second conductor branch. The first conductor branch and the second conductor branch are arranged helically around the central axis over at least half of their respective lengths. The helically arranged conductor branches each have a pitch greater than a product of an axial length of the helical conductor branches and the number of magnetic poles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE DEUTSCHLAND LTD & CO KG
    Inventors: Michael Frank, Jörn Grundmann, Wolfgang Nick, Mercedes Herranz Gracia
  • Publication number: 20190238020
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a stator for an AC electric machine with a number of magnetic poles comprising: a central axis; and a stator winding with a plurality of conductor turns. The individual conductor turns are grouped into a total of n electrical strands. The individual conductor turns of a respective electrical strand define a first conductor branch and a second conductor branch. The first conductor branch and the second conductor branch are arranged helically around the central axis over at least half of their respective lengths. The helically arranged conductor branches each have a pitch greater than a product of an axial length of the helical conductor branches and the number of magnetic poles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Frank, Jörn Grundmann, Wolfgang Nick, Mercedes Herranz Gracia
  • Publication number: 20180166188
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to DC transmission. Some embodiments may include a device for DC transmission comprising: a superconducting transmission line including a superconducting conductor element; and a cooling device for cooling an inner region of the transmission line with a fluid coolant to a temperature below a critical temperature of the superconducting conductor element. The superconducting transmission line may comprise a vacuum-insulated sleeve thermally isolating the inner region of the transmission line from a warmer outer surrounding area. The cooling device may comprise a feed device feeding coolant at an end region of the transmission line into the inner region of the transmission line. The transmission line may be free of internally arranged feed devices for feeding coolant at locations away from the end region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Tabea ARNDT, Anne BAUER, Joern GRUNDMANN, Denis IMAMOVIC, Wolfgang NICK, Michael TENZER, Peter van HASSELT
  • Patent number: 9875833
    Abstract: A superconducting coil device includes at least one coil winding, including at least one first and one second superconducting strip conductor, the first and second strip conductors each having a superconducting layer and a contact side provided with a contact layer; at least one first contact electrically connecting the contact side of the first strip conductor to an external circuit via a first contact piece; at least one second contact electrically connecting the contact side of the second strip conductor to the external circuit via a second contact piece; and a third contact electrically connecting the first and second strip conductors via the contact layer of the first and the second strip conductor within the coil winding, wherein the contact side of the first strip conductor has a different orientation relative to a center of the coil winding than the contact side of second strip conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Michael Frank, Jörn Grundmann, Wolfgang Nick, Marijn Pieter Oomen, Peter Van Hasselt
  • Publication number: 20170237318
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a cooling systems. The teachings thereof may be embodied in apparati for cooling an energy conversion apparatus having an electric machine comprising a rotor rotating around a central shaft and at least one first turbine arranged on the same shaft. The cooling apparatus may include at least one first internal cavity of the shaft for transporting coolant into a region within the rotor. The first internal cavity may extend axially through the first turbine and through an axial intermediate space between the first turbine and rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Tabea Arndt, Anne Bauer, Michael Frank, Jörn Grundmann, Peter Kummeth, Wolfgang Nick, Marijn Peter Oomen, Peter van Hasselt
  • Patent number: 9377220
    Abstract: A super conductor is disclosed, in particular a high temperature super conductor of a synchronous machine, including a cooling circuit for a coolant. The liquefied coolant in the cold head provided with a condenser is guided to the super conductor which is to be cooled, in particular in the rotor of the synchronous machine and is returned to the condenser in a gaseous form. In order to guide the coolant from the condenser to the super conductor, pressure generated by a component of the coolant evaporated by a heat source is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Michael Frank, Peter Kummeth, Wolfgang Nick, Heinz Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20150318099
    Abstract: A superconducting coil device includes at least one coil winding, including at least one first and one second superconducting strip conductor, the first and second strip conductors each having a superconducting layer and a contact side provided with a contact layer; at least one first contact electrically connecting the contact side of the first strip conductor to an external circuit via a first contact piece; at least one second contact electrically connecting the contact side of the second strip conductor to the external circuit via a second contact piece; and a third contact electrically connecting the first and second strip conductors via the contact layer of the first and the second strip conductor within the coil winding, wherein the contact side of the first strip conductor has a different orientation relative to a center of the coil winding than the contact side of second strip conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: MICHAEL FRANK, JÖRN GRUNDMANN, WOLFGANG NICK, MARIJN PIETER OOMEN, PETER VAN HASSELT
  • Patent number: 9048015
    Abstract: A high-temperature superconductor (HTS) coil includes a coil winding with a superconducting material and a coil former for carrying the coil winding. When the high-temperature supercon-ductor (HTS) coil cools down from a room temperature to an operating temperature, the coil winding or the coil former counteract a thermal shrinkage of the coil winding in order to avoid or reduce a longitudinal compression of the superconducting material of the coil winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Wolfgang Nick, Marijn Pieter Oomen
  • Publication number: 20130296171
    Abstract: A super conductor is disclosed, in particular a high temperature super conductor of a synchronous machine, including a cooling circuit for a coolant. The liquefied coolant in the cold head provided with a condenser is guided to the super conductor which is to be cooled, in particular in the rotor of the synchronous machine and is returned to the condenser in a gaseous form. In order to guide the coolant from the condenser to the super conductor, pressure generated by a component of the coolant evaporated by a heat source is used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Michael Frank, Peter Kummeth, Wolfgang Nick, Heinz Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20130172196
    Abstract: A high-temperature superconductor (HTS) coil includes a coil winding with a superconducting material and a coil former for carrying the coil winding. When the high-temperature supercon-ductor (HTS) coil cools down from a room temperature to an operating temperature, the coil winding or the coil former counteract a thermal shrinkage of the coil winding in order to avoid or reduce a longitudinal compression of the superconducting material of the coil winding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Inventors: Wolfgang Nick, Marijn Pieter Oomen
  • Patent number: 7728466
    Abstract: The machine contains a rotor with a hot rotor housing in which a cold part with a superconductive rotor winding is located. A part which acts as a baffle screen is provided on the outside of the rotor housing, facing a stator. Supporting elements are intended to be provided at predetermined points between the hot housing and the cold part, extending in the radial direction to such an extent that, during normal operation of the machine, a short separation is in each case formed between the supporting elements and the hot housing or the cold part, and such that a force fit is produced between the hot housing and the cold part via the supporting elements only in the event of a defect which leads to deformation of the hot housing of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Frank, Peter Massek, Wolfgang Nick
  • Publication number: 20090115267
    Abstract: The machine contains a rotor with a hot rotor housing in which a cold part with a superconductive rotor winding is located. A part which acts as a baffle screen is provided on the outside of the rotor housing, facing a stator. Supporting elements are intended to be provided at predetermined points between the hot housing and the cold part, extending in the radial direction to such an extent that, during normal operation of the machine, a short separation is in each case formed between the supporting elements and the hot housing or the cold part, and such that a force fit is prodiced between the hot housing and the cold part via the supporting elements only in the event of a defect which leads to deformation of the hot housing of the machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: Siemens Akiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Frank, Peter Massek, Wolfgang Nick
  • Patent number: 7272938
    Abstract: The superconducting winding comprises a rotor which may rotate about a rotation axis with a superconducting winding in a thermally conducting winding support. The winding support comprises a central coolant cavity, with a lateral cavity leading out of the winding support connected thereto. A cold head of a refrigeration unit is connected to a condenser unit for condensing refrigerant and is arranged outside the rotor. A fixed heat tube, supplying the refrigerant, is coupled to the condenser unit, extending axially into the rotating lateral cavity and is sealed relative to the cavity. The refrigerant is a mixture of several components having different condensation temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Frank, Wolfgang Nick, Peter van Hasselt
  • Patent number: 7240496
    Abstract: The invention relates to a superconductive device containing a rotor that can be rotated about an axis of rotation and that comprises a superconductive winding in a winding support. Said winding support has a central cavity, into which two fixed thermal tubes project axially. One of said tubes forms a cooling finger that is closed at the end and contains a second coolant with a higher condensation temperature. The other tube supplies a first cooling with a lower condensation temperature to the central cavity and evacuates said coolant from the cavity. To condense the coolants, the tubes lead to a refrigeration unit, situated outside the rotor and equipped with a refrigeration head and a condenser device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Frank, Wolfgang Nick, Peter van Hasselt
  • Publication number: 20050160744
    Abstract: The superconducting winding comprises a rotor which may rotate about a rotation axis with a superconducting winding in a thermally conducting winding support. The winding support comprises a central coolant cavity, with a lateral cavity leading out of the winding support connected thereto. A cold head of a refrigeration unit is connected to a condenser unit for condensing refrigerant and is arranged outside the rotor. A fixed heat tube, supplying the refrigerant, is coupled to the condenser unit, extending axially into the rotating lateral cavity and is sealed relative to the cavity. The refrigerant is a mixture of several components having different condensation temperatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Publication date: July 28, 2005
    Inventors: Michael Frank, Wolfgang Nick, Peter van Hasselt
  • Publication number: 20050155356
    Abstract: The invention relates to a superconductive device containing a rotor that can be rotated about an axis of rotation and that comprises a superconductive winding in a winding support. Said winding support has a central cavity, into which two fixed thermal tubes project axially. One of said tubes forms a cooling finger that is closed at the end and contains a second coolant with a higher condensation temperature. The other tube supplies a first cooling with a lower condensation temperature to the central cavity and evacuates said coolant from the cavity. To condense the coolants, the tubes lead to a refrigeration unit, situated outside the rotor and equipped with a refrigeration head and a condenser device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Publication date: July 21, 2005
    Inventors: Michael Frank, Wolfgang Nick, Peter Hasselt
  • Patent number: 6838968
    Abstract: In order to cool the windings, core and optionally the wall of the element (1) receiving the windings (3,4) and the core (2) as effectively as possible, conducting surfaces (5, 6, 8,15) are disposed inside said element in such a way that the flow of coolant initially passes along the windings (3,4), followed by the limbs (21,22) of the core surrounded by the windings, and subsequently the other areas (23, 24, 1). Said arrangement of conducting surfaces is particularly suitable for use with transformers having superconductive windings made of HTSL conductor material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wolfgang Nick, Reinhard Schlosser, Heinz Schmidt, Peter van Hasselt
  • Patent number: 6836043
    Abstract: The engine has a rotor rotationally mounted about a rotational axis and is provided with a superconductive winding arranged in a winding support. In order to fix the winding support inside an external rotor housing, a rigid connecting device having a hollow cylindrical connecting element made of fiber reinforced plastic is provided on the torque transmitting side. The connecting element is configured as a single piece and consist of end parts located on the front face and a central part located between the latter, wherein the end parts are corrugated in peripheral direction and are non-corrugated in the central part. The end parts of the connecting element are connected to and engine with one another in a non-positive fit manner in groovelike recesses of flangelike end pieces made of metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Markus Boss, Michael Frank, Adolf Kühn, Peter Massek, Wolfgang Nick, Peter van Hasselt
  • Publication number: 20040075349
    Abstract: The engine (2) has a rotor (5) rotationally mounted about a rotational axis (A) and is provided with a superconductive winding (10) arranged in a winding support (9). In order to fix the winding support inside an external rotor housing (7), a rigid connecting device (8a) having a hollow cylindrical connecting element (12c) made of fiber reinforced plastic is provided on the torque transmitting side (AS). The connecting element (12c) is configured as a single piece and consists of end parts located on the front face and a central part located between the latter, wherein the end parts are corrugated in peripheral direction and are non-corrugated in the central part. The end parts of the connecting element (12c) are connected to and engage with one another in a non-positive fit manner in groovelike recesses of flangelike end pieces (12a, 12b) made of metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventors: Markus Boss, Michael Frank, Adolf Khn, Peter Massek, Wolfgang Nick, Peter van Hasselt