Superconducting Wire, Tape, Cable, Or Fiber, Per Se Patents (Class 505/230)
  • Patent number: 8437819
    Abstract: Superconductor cable having a plurality of flat, tape-shaped ribbon superconductor wires assembled to form a stack having a rectangular cross section, the stack having a twist about a longitudinal axis of the stack. Multiple superconductor cables including twisted stacked-cables of the flat-tape-shaped superconductor wires, and power cable comprising the twisted flat-tape stacked cables are disclosed. Superconducting power cable disposed within and separated from an electrical insulator with a space passing cryo-coolant between the superconducting cable and insulator is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Makoto Takayasu, Joseph V. Minervini, Leslie Bromberg
  • Patent number: 8428671
    Abstract: An article including a substrate and a layer of a homogeneous metal-oxyfluoride intermediate film disposed on the substrate, the intermediate film containing a rare earth metal, an alkaline earth metal, and a transition metal. The intermediate film has a defect density less than 20 percent and, upon thermal treatment, is capable of converting to a homogeneous rare earth metal-alkaline earth metal-transition metal-oxide superconductor film with a stoichiometric thickness greater than 1 ?m and up to 5 ?m. Also disclosed is another article including a substrate and the homogeneous superconductor film with a stoichiometric thickness greater than 1 ?m and up to 5 ?m. Further, methods of making these two articles are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: American Superconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Srivatsan Sathyamurthy, Martin W. Rupich
  • Publication number: 20130085071
    Abstract: Disclosed are an oxide superconductor tape and a method of manufacturing the oxide superconductor tape capable of improving the length and characteristics of superconductor tape and obtaining stabilized characteristics across the entire length thereof. A Y-class superconductor tape (10), as an oxide superconductor tape, comprises a tape (13) further comprising a tape-shaped non-oriented metallic substrate (11), and a first buffer layer (sheet layer) (12) that is formed by IBAD upon the tape-shaped non-oriented metallic substrate (11); and a second buffer layer (gap layer) (14), further comprising a lateral face portion (14a) that is extended to the lateral faces of the first buffer layer (sheet layer) (12) upon the tape (13) by RTR RF-magnetron sputtering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Inventors: Tatsuhisa Nakanishi, Yuji Aoki, Tsutomu Koizumi, Atsushi Kaneko, Takayo Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 8401601
    Abstract: An arrangement of a two-phase superconducting cable as a power supply cable in two-phase power distribution networks for electric railways include two phase conductors which are arranged coaxially with respect to one another and are separated from one another by an inner dielectric. A cryostat, with the superconducting cable arranged therein, has two tubes which run co-axially and at a distance from one another with vacuum insulation between them, where in addition to the superconducting cable, the cryostat surrounds a free space for a coolant to be passed through, and where an outer dielectric is fitted over the outer phase conductor of the superconducting cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Nexans
    Inventors: Rainer Soika, Mark Stemmle
  • Publication number: 20130040819
    Abstract: An electrode unit joining structure for a superconducting wire includes: a superconducting wire comprising a first base member, a first superconducting layer provided on the first base member, and a first electroconductive layer provided on the first superconducting layer; an electrode provided on the first electroconductive layer at an end portion of the superconducting wire; and a superconducting cover tape comprising a second base member, a second superconducting layer provided on the second base member, and a second electroconductive layer provided on the second superconducting layer, the superconducting cover tape being provided so as to cover at least part of the electrode, wherein the second electroconductive layer of the superconducting cover tape is disposed on the electrode side, and the electrode, the superconducting wire, and the superconducting cover tape are electrically connected to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: FUJIKURA LTD.
    Inventor: FUJIKURA LTD.
  • Patent number: 8369912
    Abstract: A superconducting cable (1; 10; 30) has a channel (4, 38) for a cooling liquid, a tubular support structure (5, 37), at least two layers (2, 3; 11-15; 31, 32, 35, 36) comprising high Tc conductors (2a, 3a) which comprise a high Tc material, and an insulation (7, 17), in particular a tubular insulation (7). The conductors (3a) of the outer layer (3; 13-15; 33, 36) comprise a first high Tc material that is different from a second high Tc material of the conductors (2a) of the inner layer (2; 11-12; 32, 35), wherein the first high Tc material exhibits lower AC losses as compared the second high Tc material, and that the high Tc conductors (3a) of the outer layer (3; 13-15; 33, 36) comprise normal-conducting interruptions (41, 42, 43). The superconducting cable exhibits reduced AC losses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Bruker HTS GmbH
    Inventor: Alexander Usoskin
  • Patent number: 8367585
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a superconducting strip having a metal coating layer and a method of manufacturing the superconducting strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute
    Inventors: Hong Soo Ha, Sang Soo Oh, Dong Woo Ha, Kyu Jung Song, Rock Kil Ko, Ho Sup Kim
  • Publication number: 20130023419
    Abstract: Provided is a covering material, in which the covering material is a covering material for covering a superconducting wire, a tensile strength at break thereof at ?196° C. is 12.0 N/3 mm or more, and a tensile elongation at break thereof at ?196° C. is 12% or more. The covering material preferably includes a backing made of a polyimide resin. The covering material preferably includes a viscoelastic layer formed on one surface of the backing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicants: NITTO SHINKO CORPORATION, NITTO DENKO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kiichiro MATSUSHITA, Hiroomi HANAI, Kazunori HAYASHI, Jun FUJIKI, Akihiro OOHASHI, Kayoko TAKAYANAGI, Kazumasa MUKOBATA, Yoshinori TANAKA
  • Patent number: 8354594
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wire-printed circuit board or card (1) comprising etched strip conductors (2) and wire conductors (6), which wire conductors run on and/or in the circuit board or card (1) between connection points (4). At least one of the wire conductors (6) has an essentially rectangular, for example, a square, cross-section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Jumatech, GmbH
    Inventor: Markus Wolfel
  • Patent number: 8354592
    Abstract: Provided is a superconducting cable device including: a first superconducting cable and a second superconducting cable; an intermediate connection box which connects the first and second superconducting cables to each other; and a cooling device which causes a coolant to flow inside the intermediate connection box in a lengthwise direction of the intermediate connection box, wherein a cable connection portion for connecting the first and second superconducting cables to each other is provided in the intermediate connection box. In an uncooled state, the cable connection portion is disposed to be eccentric from a center line in the lengthwise direction of the intermediate connection box in a direction in which the coolant flows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: LS Cable Ltd.
    Inventors: Seok Hern Jang, Su Kil Lee, Hyun Man Jang, Chang Youl Choi, Keun Tae Lee, Yang Hoon Kim, Seok Ju Lee
  • Publication number: 20130012395
    Abstract: A superconducting wire which is obtained by a heat treatment at a lower temperature than related art and has a high critical current density, and the process of manufacture can be provided by causing a compound expressed by the following formula (1) to be contained: Mg(B1-xCx)y??(1) where x is a number satisfying 0<x<1, and y is a number satisfying 2.1?y.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhide Tanaka, Motomune Kodama, Yasuo Kondo
  • Publication number: 20130012396
    Abstract: Provided is a covering material, in which the covering material is a covering material for covering a superconducting wire, and a tensile modulus of elasticity at 25° C. is 6.0 GPa or less. Further provided is also a superconducting electric wire, which includes the covering material and a superconducting wire covered with the covering material. Still further provided is an electrical device produced by using the superconducting electric wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicants: NITTO SHINKO CORPORATION, NITTO DENKO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shunsuke MASAKI, Yozo NAGAI, Kiichiro MATSUSHITA, Yoshihisa FURUTA, Kazunori HAYASHI
  • Patent number: 8346326
    Abstract: An electrical component comprises a superconductive wire, the wire comprising a first wire segment joined to a second wire segment, wherein the first wire segment and the second wire segment differ in at least one property selected from the group consisting of magnetic field tolerance, temperature tolerance, ac loss, and strain tolerance, and wherein the magnetic field tolerance is measured by the relationship of critical current Ic to magnetic field H at a given temperature T below critical temperature Tc, the temperature tolerance is measured by the relationship of critical current Ic to temperature T at a given magnetic field below critical magnetic field Hc, the ac loss is measured by the amount of ac loss versus the frequency and magnitude of applied ac currents and fields, and the strain tolerance is measured by critical current Ic degradation with strain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James William Bray, Evangelos Trifon Laskaris, Kiruba Sivasubramaniam
  • Publication number: 20120329658
    Abstract: Provided is a method of forming a ceramic wire. In the method, a ceramic precursor film is deposited on a wire substrate. Then, the wire substrate on which the ceramic precursor film is deposited is treated by heating. For treating the wire substrate by heating, a temperature of the wire substrate and/or an oxygen partial pressure of the wire substrate are controlled such that the ceramic precursor film is in a liquid state and an epitaxy ceramic film is formed from the liquid ceramic precursor film on the wire substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: Seung-Hyun Moon, Hun-Ju Lee, Sang-Im Yoo, Hong-Soo Ha
  • Patent number: 8332005
    Abstract: A superconducting electrical cable is specified, which is surrounded by a cryostat (3), which comprises two concentric metallic tubes (4, 5) which enclose thermal insulation between them and is used to carry a cooling medium. The cable has at least one superconductor (1), which is composed of superconducting material, as well as a normal electrical conductor (7), which is composed of normally conductive material and is electrically conductively connected to the superconductor. The normal conductor (7) is arranged outside of but resting on the cryostat (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Nexans
    Inventors: Frank Schmidt, Rainer Solka
  • Publication number: 20120309632
    Abstract: A crystalline article includes a single-crystal ceramic fiber, tape or ribbon. The fiber, tape or ribbon has at least one crystallographic facet along its length, which is generally at least one meter long. In the case of sapphire, the facets are R-plane, M-plane, C-plane or A-plane facets. Epitaxial articles, including superconducting articles, can be formed on the fiber, tape or ribbon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: UT-BATTELLE, LLC
    Inventor: Amit Goyal
  • Patent number: 8326386
    Abstract: The invention relates to a superconductive multi-phase, fluid-cooled cable system comprising a) a cable comprising at least three electrical conductors constituting at least two electrical phases and a zero- or neutral conductor, said electrical conductors being mutually electrically insulated from each other, and b) a thermal insulation defining a central longitudinal axis and having an inner surface and surrounding the cable, said inner surface of said thermal insulation forming the radial limitation of a cooling chamber for holding a cooling fluid for cooling said electrical conductors. The invention further relates to a method of manufacturing a cable system and to its use. The object of the present invention is to provide a simplified manufacturing and installation scheme for a fluid cooled cable system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: NKT Cables Ultera A/S
    Inventors: Dag Willén, Chresten Traeholt, Manfred Däumling, Jerry C. Tolbert, Mark Roden, David Lindsay
  • Patent number: 8326387
    Abstract: A RE-type oxide superconducting wire having excellent angular dependence for magnetic field of Jc is obtained by finely dispersing magnetic flux pinning centers into a superconductor. A mixed solution which comprises a metal-organic complex solution including a metal element which composes a RE-type oxide superconductor whose Ba content is reduced and a metal-organic complex solution including at least one or more kinds of metals which are selected from Zr, Ce, Sn, or Ti which has a larger affinity for Ba is coated onto an intermediate layer of a composite substrate, and the assembly is then calcined to disperse artificially and finely oxide particles (magnetic flux pinning centers) including Zr. Thus, the angular dependence for magnetic field (Jc,min/Jc,max) of Jc can be remarkably improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignees: International Superconductivity Technology Center, The Juridical Foundation, SWCC Showa Cable Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masashi Miura, Tatsuhisa Nakanishi, Yasunori Sutoh, Teruo Izumi, Yuh Shiohara
  • Patent number: 8315679
    Abstract: A superconducting device comprises a vacuum chamber and means to evacuate the vacuum chamber. A base plate is provided within the vacuum chamber and first, second and third cylindrical walls extend from the base plate. The second and third cylindrical walls are arranged coaxial with the first cylindrical wall. A first chamber is defined between the first cylindrical wall and the second cylindrical wall, a second chamber is defined between the second cylindrical wall and the third cylindrical wall and a third chamber is defined within the third cylindrical wall. A superconducting wire is arranged within the second chamber and a cryogenic insulating material is arranged within the second chamber to encapsulate the superconducting wire. A material having a high specific heat capacity is arranged within the first chamber and there are means to cool the base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventors: Stephen M. Husband, Philip M. Sargent, Archie M. Campbell, Tim A. Coombs
  • Patent number: 8315680
    Abstract: In a cold superconducting joint, a joint cup is provided. Lengths of superconducting filaments are placed in the joint cup. A superconducting material fills the joint cup in contact with the superconducting filaments and in thermal and mechanical contact with a pipe carrying a cryogen. The pipe extends into the joint cup and the superconducting material extends around the pipe within the joint cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens PLC
    Inventors: Mark James Le Feuvre, Michael Simpkins
  • Publication number: 20120283105
    Abstract: A rolled superconducting article includes: a cylindrical bobbin having a post in a cylindrical shape; a superconducting strip wound on the cylindrical bobbin in a rolled shape with a predetermined tension applied, wherein the superconducting strip is formed of a superconducting thin film, which is coated with a metal coating layer on a facing surface of the superconducting thin film, and a stabilizing substrate wound on the superconducting strip, wherein the stabilizing substrate is coated with a metal coating layer on a facing surface of the stabilizing substrate; an anti-bonding substrate wound on an outer surface of the stabilizing substrate with a predetermined tension applied; wherein the superconducting thin film is thermally adhered to the stabilizing substrate by heat-treating the rolled superconducting strip with the anti-bonding substrate wound therearound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute
    Inventors: Hong Soo HA, Sang Soo OH, Dong Woo HA, Kyu Jung SONG, Rock Kil KO, Ho Sup KIM
  • Patent number: 8306591
    Abstract: A superconducting cable terminal connection device connecting a terminal of a superconducting cable for power transmission to an external power system, includes: an electric field relaxation shield disposed inside an insulation housing; a horizontal conductor fixed to an end portion of a core of the superconducting cable drawn into the electric field relaxation shield; an insulator which coats an outer periphery of the horizontal conductor; a vertical conductor which is drawn into the electric field relaxation shield and has a through-hole through which the horizontal conductor and the insulator pass so as to be slidable in a lengthwise direction; and a flexible electrical conduction member which electrically connects an end portion of the horizontal conductor to the vertical conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: LS Cable Ltd.
    Inventors: Seok Ju Lee, Su Kil Lee, Hyun Man Jang, Chang Youl Choi
  • Patent number: 8306590
    Abstract: Disclosed is a three layer process for making contact points to a high transition temperature superconductor (HTSC), particularly to (Bi,Pb)2 Sr2 Ca2 CU3019+x with and without silver in the superconductor. The contact structure is a three layer configuration with a perforated silver foil (3) sandwiched between two metal spray gun deposited silver layers (2,5) and subsequent heat treatment in air. The contact has been made on tubes and rods (1). The silver contacts are capable of carrying a continuous current of 200 Amps without adding any substantial heat load to the cryogen used to cool the HTSC. The contact resistance at 4.2 K is in the range of 1.5×10 (hoch?8) to 8.5? 10 (hoch?8) OHM in zero applied filed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Council of Scientific and Industrial Research
    Inventors: Shrikant Ekbote, Gursharan Kaur Padam, Narendra Kumar Arora, Mukul Sharma, Ramesh Sethi, Mrinal Kanti Banerjee
  • Patent number: 8299363
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a polycrystalline thin film which includes an intermediate layer that is made thinner while keeping high crystal orientation so as to prevent warpage of a substrate resulting from internal stress of the film. A polycrystalline thin film according to the invention includes an intermediate layer formed by a first layer and a second layer laminated in this order and provided on a metal substrate. The first layer has a rock-salt crystal structure and the second layer has a fluorite crystal structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignees: Fujikura Ltd., The Juridical International Superconductivity Technology Center
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Iijima, Satoru Hanyu
  • Publication number: 20120270737
    Abstract: Vapor-liquid-solid growth of nanowires is tailored to achieve complex one-dimensional material geometries using phase diagrams determined for nanoscale materials. Segmented one-dimensional nanowires having constant composition display locally variable electronic band structures that are determined by the diameter of the nanowires. The unique electrical and optical properties of the segmented nanowires are exploited to form electronic and optoelectronic devices. Using gold-germanium as a model system, in situ transmission electron microscopy establishes, for nanometer-sized Au—Ge alloy drops at the tips of Ge nanowires (NWs), the parts of the phase diagram that determine their temperature-dependent equilibrium composition. The nanoscale phase diagram is then used to determine the exchange of material between the NW and the drop. The phase diagram for the nanoscale drop deviates significantly from that of the bulk alloy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: BROOKHAVEN SCIENCE ASSOCIATES, LLC
    Inventors: ELI ANGUELOVA SUTTER, PETER WERNER SUTTER
  • Patent number: 8290555
    Abstract: A superconducting wire having at least a superconducting thin film and a stabilizing film formed one on top of another in order on a substrate having a predetermined width and a predetermined length, the superconducting wire having at least one cut made along a direction of the length of the superconducting wire, the superconducting wire being bendable at the cut in a width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignees: The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd., International Superconductivity Technology Center, the Juridical Foundation, National University Corporation Yokohama National University
    Inventors: Masashi Yagi, Shinichi Mukoyama, Yuh Shiohara, Teruo Izumi, Naoyuki Amemiya
  • Publication number: 20120258863
    Abstract: An MOCVD apparatus and process for producing multi-layer HTS-coated tapes with increased current capacity which includes multiple liquid precursor sources, each having an associated pump and vaporizer, the outlets of which feed a multiple compartment showerhead apparatus within an MOCVD reactor. The multiple compartment showerhead apparatus is located in close proximity to an associated substrate heater which together define multiple deposition sectors in a deposition zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: SUPERPOWER, INC.
    Inventors: Venkat Selvamanickam, Hee-Gyoun Lee
  • Patent number: 8285351
    Abstract: Preparation and deposition of supercooled, electron-doped, water-cluster clathrate nanoparticles in confined geometries and on substrates from proprietary nanoemulsions is described. The compositions can yield high-Tc superconductors, e.g., in the vicinity of ?43 deg C., useful for SQUID devices in electronic and magnetic application. In certain embodiments, the water-cluster clathrates are formed in nanoemulsions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: HydroElectron Ventures, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Johnson, Matthew Price-Gallagher
  • Publication number: 20120252680
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a high-temperature superconducting tape, including: a substrate; a buffer layer formed on the substrate; and a high-temperature superconducting layer formed on the buffer layer, wherein the substrate is made of SUS310s or stainless steel containing 0.01-1% of silicon (Si) and 1-5% of molybdenum (Mo) and has an average metal crystal grain size of 12 ?m or less, and the high-temperature superconducting layer is made of a ReBCO (ReBa2Cu3O7, Re=Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho, Y)-based superconductive material. The high-temperature superconducting tape is advantageous with the result that a high-grade superconducting layer can be deposited on the thin buffer layer and thus the critical current density of the high-temperature superconducting tape can be improved, thereby remarkably improving the characteristics of the high-temperature superconducting tape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute
    Inventors: Hong Soo HA, Sang Soo Oh, Ho Sup Kim
  • Patent number: 8275431
    Abstract: A tape-type superconductor (1), comprising an elongated substrate (2), in particular a metal tape, and a continuous superconducting layer (3), in particular of a HTS type material, deposited on the substrate (2), is characterized in that Ic?/Ic??1.5, with Ic? being the width density of critical current of the continuous superconducting layer (3) in parallel to the substrate (2) and in parallel to the elongated direction of the substrate (2), and with Ic? being the width density of critical current of the continuous superconducting layer (3) in parallel to the substrate (2) and perpendicular to the elongated direction of the substrate (2). The tape-type superconductor has reduced ac losses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Bruker HTS GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Usoskin, Klaus Schlenga
  • Patent number: 8275430
    Abstract: An arrangement for an electrically conducting connection of a superconductive electric cable with a cable having normal conductivity at room temperature is provided, which includes a passage with an electric conductor surrounded by a thermal insulation. The conductor of the superconductive cable is connected to an end of the conductor of the passage, at whose other end a cable having normal conductivity can be connected. On the end of the superconductive cable intended to connect to the conductor of the passage an electrode is mounted serving the electric field control. At least in the area of the electrode a cryostat is present which surrounds it, which is constructed as a circumferentially closed sheath of electrically insulating material with a vacuum free, thermal insulation. The end of the sheath facing the passage is placed during the state of operation of the arrangement at high voltage potential, while the other end is connected to ground potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Nexans
    Inventors: Frank Schmidt, Nicolas Lallouet
  • Patent number: 8271062
    Abstract: A superconducting article and method of fabrication are provided. The superconducting article includes a superconducting structure, which includes a superconducting conductor and multiple discrete overlay regions of higher heat capacity than the superconducting conductor. The multiple discrete overlay regions are disposed along a length of the superconducting conductor, in thermal contact with the superconducting conductor, and positioned to define a heat modulation pattern along the length of the superconducting structure. The multiple discrete overlay regions create a temperature distribution favorable to transition of the superconducting structure under load from a normal resistive state to a superconductive state by facilitating formation of a continuous superconducting path along the length of the superconducting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Superpower, Inc.
    Inventor: Maxim Martchevskii
  • Patent number: 8265722
    Abstract: Disclosed is a superconducting wire and a method for manufacturing the same, in which spacer are inserted into each space formed between modules, the spacers being different kinds according to a shape of each space when a restacking billet is manufactured in an internal diffusion method for manufacturing a Nb3Sn superconducting wire. One of a copper spacer and a low tin/copper spacer having a sectional area rate of copper/tin more than 6.0 is arranged between three modules as well as between two modules and a diffusion preventing tube, and a high tin/copper spacer having a sectional area rate of copper/tin less than 0.01˜1.5 or a middle tin/copper spacer having a sectional area rate of copper/tin less than 1.5˜6.0 is arranged between four modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: K.A.T. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Pyeong-Yeol Park, Kyeong-Ho Jang
  • Patent number: 8263531
    Abstract: Under one aspect, a laminated, spliced superconductor wire includes a superconductor joint, which includes (i) first and second superconductor wires, each wire including a substrate, a superconductor layer overlying the substrate, and a cap layer overlying the superconductor layer; and (ii) a conductive bridge, the conductive bridge including a substrate, a superconductor layer overlying the substrate, and a cap layer overlying the superconductor layer, wherein the cap layer of the conductive bridge is in electrically conductive contact with a portion of the cap layer of each of the first and second superconductor wires through an electrically conductive bonding material. The spliced wire also includes (b) a stabilizer structure surrounding at least a portion of the superconductor joint, wherein the superconductor joint is in electrical contact with the stabilizer structure; and (c) a substantially nonporous electrically conductive filler, wherein the filler substantially surrounds the superconductor joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: American Superconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander Otto, Eric R. Podtburg
  • Patent number: 8260387
    Abstract: A superconducting article is provided which includes a superconducting tape assembly. The superconducting tape assembly includes a superconducting tape layer, having one or more superconducting tapes, and a high-permeability magnetic material layer coupled to the superconducting tape layer. The high-permeability magnetic material layer includes a high-permeability magnetic material which remains magnetically soft at a critical temperature Tc of the superconducting tape, and with presence of an ac magnetic field acting on the superconducting tape assembly, re-magnetizes to divert at least a portion of a normal component of the ac magnetic field therethrough, which reduces ac loss in the superconducting tape layer by modifying the ac magnetic field distribution within the superconducting tape of the superconducting tape layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Superpower, Inc.
    Inventor: Maxim Martchevskii
  • Publication number: 20120220465
    Abstract: The invention provides a MgB2 superconductive wire which is long and has a high critical current density. The invention provides a manufacturing method of a superconductive wire in which a magnesium or a magnesium alloy is reacted with a magnesium boride expressed by MgBx (x=4, 7, 12) by carrying out a heat treatment. A superconductive wire is characterized by the magnesium boride expressed by the MgBx (x=4, 7, 12) is included in a part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Inventors: Kazuhide TANAKA, Yasuo Kondo, Tsuyoshi Wakuda
  • Patent number: 8253024
    Abstract: In a method and apparatus for joining a number of superconductive cables to establish electrical connection therebetween, a cup-like member having a base, a sidewall, and an opening to receive electrically conductive ends of said cables is provided. The base of the cup-like member is attached to a holder device. The holder device is attached to a cryogenically cooled surface. The ends of the superconductive cables are connected together within the cup-like member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens PLC
    Inventors: Neil John Belton, Simon James Calvert, Raymond Hornsby, Marcel Jan Márie Kruip
  • Publication number: 20120214676
    Abstract: There is provided a superconductive cable wherein an efficiency of an electric power transmission is increased to a maximum and the superconductive cable is miniaturized by strengthening a longitudinal magnetic field in a superconductive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventor: Teruo Matsushita
  • Publication number: 20120214675
    Abstract: Superconducting cables employ one or more superconducting tapes wound around a former. A compact superconducting cable is configured using a former having a small diameter, e.g., less than 10 millimeters. A flexible superconducting cable is configured with a former made of a flexible material. Superconducting tape conductors are wound around the former, with the superconducting layer in compression on the inside of the wind turns of the wind, to prevent irreversible damage to the superconductor. A layer of solder is on the superconducting tape(s) or solder sheaths are wound between tape conductors in each layer. The one or more solder layers or sheaths are melted to cause the solder to flow within the structure, to bond some or all of the superconducting tape conductors together and form a mechanically strong cable with an enhanced level of electrical connectivity between tapes in the cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventor: Daniel Cornelis van der Laan
  • Patent number: 8238992
    Abstract: An arrangement is specified for current limiting having a superconducting cable (SK) which is arranged in a cryostat (KR) which has an outer wall which comprises two metallic tubes (1, 2) which are arranged concentrically with respect to one another and between which vacuum insulation (3) is incorporated. The cryostat (KR) surrounds a free space (FR) for a coolant to pass through, in which free space (FR) the superconducting cable (SK) is arranged. It also has an inner wall (IW) which surrounds a cylindrical cavity (HR) and likewise comprises two metallic tubes (4, 5) which are arranged concentrically with respect to one another, between which vacuum insulation (6) is incorporated, and which is located within the outer wall (AW) and is separated therefrom by the free space (FR). The superconducting cable (SK) which has a superconducting conductor, a dielectric surrounding the same and a superconducting screen which is arranged above the same, is wound in a helical shape around the inner wall (IW).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Nexans
    Inventors: Rainer Soika, Mark Stemmle
  • Patent number: 8238990
    Abstract: A superconducting joint that structurally binds a first superconducting segment to a second superconducting segment. The first and second superconducting segment each include corresponding areas containing a granular superconducting substance formed by a first element and a second element. The superconducting joint includes a solid non-superconducting binding formed from a source of the first element and a source of the second element combined to produce the granular superconducting substance around the solid non-superconducting binding to permit for the flow of superconducting current through the first superconducting segment and the second superconducting segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: ASG Superconductors, S.p.A.
    Inventor: Davide Nardelli
  • Publication number: 20120190556
    Abstract: A process applies a polymer to at least one individual conductor of a high-temperature superconductor (HTS) composite in the manner of a Roebel conductor. The at least one individual conductor includes a substrate and a superconducting layer. Particles are applied to the individual conductor. Then, a thermal treatment is performed which results in partial or complete melting of the particles and, after cooling, in a polymer layer on the individual conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventor: Tabea Arndt
  • Publication number: 20120190555
    Abstract: A physical construction of a superconducting multi-core billet is provided together with a method for manufacturing a superconducting multi-core wire to offer reduction of manufacturing time (cost) and low frequency of occurrence of wire break during diameter-reduction drawing. The superconducting multi-core billet by the present invention has such a construction that a plurality of vertical holes are made in a billet 2 of copper or copper alloy of circular cross-section; that the vertical holes are filled with a superconducting material 4 comprised of NbTi; that a copper-volume ratio, which is a ratio of the copper or the copper alloy to NbTi in volume, is not smaller than four; that the plurality of vertical holes are made in the billet so that each of the vertical holes will be arrayed at an equal spacing on each of two inner and outer layers concentric circles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: HITACHI CABLE, LTD.
    Inventors: Takaaki SASAOKA, Morio KIMURA, Yoshihiro SAKURAI, Katsumi MIYASHITA, Hiroshi KOTOU, Youichi SUZUKI
  • Publication number: 20120178630
    Abstract: Provided is a superconducting wire rod that is reduced in cost due to a thinner/simpler middle layer, without the properties of the superconducting wire rod (for example critical current properties) being negatively affected. A provided tape-shaped base material for superconducting wire rods comprises a diffusion preventing layer, which comprises an oxide of a group 4 (4A) element, formed on a substrate that contains iron, nickel, or chromium. Specifically, the diffusion preventing layer comprises TiO2, ZrO2, or HfO2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshikazu Okuno
  • Publication number: 20120165199
    Abstract: A tape-shaped base for a superconducting wire, which simplifies the intermediate layer and thus enables production of a superconducting wire at lower cost, and which is capable of improving the characteristics (such as electrical conduction and handling properties) of a superconducting wire; and a superconducting wire. Specifically disclosed is a tape-shaped base for a superconducting wire, which is obtained by forming an intermediate layer on a metal substrate. In the tape-shaped base for a superconducting wire a biaxially oriented layer of the intermediate layer is configured of a niobium monoxide (NbO) layer that is formed by depositing vapor deposition particles from a vapor deposition source on a film formation surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Fukushima
  • Patent number: 8204563
    Abstract: A superconducting magnet system for generating high homogeneity and high magnetic field consists of a main coil, an outer coil, a quench protection circuit, a quench heater and a power supply. The main coil is composed of many concentric solenoid coils which are arranged from inside to outside. The outer coil out of the main coil includes a first back roll coil, a second back roll coil, a first superconducting coil for compensating sixth harmonic component, a second superconducting coil for compensating sixth harmonic component, a shielding ring and a shielding coil from inside to outside. Every loop circuit of the quench protection circuit is composed of a corresponding protection resistor, a diode and coil which is connected in series each other, and each coil has a corresponding quench protection heater. The classification linear diameter difference of the superconducting coils which contact each other in main coil is less than 0.05 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Institute of Electrical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Inventors: Qiuliang Wang, Xinning Hu
  • Publication number: 20120135869
    Abstract: Disclosed is an iron-based superconducting wire comprising a tubular material formed mainly from iron, and an iron-based superconductor formed in the tubular material, wherein the iron-based superconductor contains the iron forming the tubular material as a chemical constituent element of the iron-based superconductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Takano, Yoshikazu Mizuguchi, Hiroaki Kumakura
  • Patent number: 8173897
    Abstract: A superconducting cable line includes a heat insulation pipe for a fluid for transporting liquid hydrogen, a superconducting cable housed in the heat insulation pipe for a fluid, and heat exchange means for performing a heat exchange between liquid hydrogen and a refrigerant of the cable. The superconducting cable includes a cable core inside a heat insulation pipe for a cable and is housed in the heat insulation pipe for a fluid to form a low temperature environment around the cable and a double heat insulation structure including the heat insulation pipe. Therefore, since heat intrusion into the superconducting cable is reduced and the refrigerant is cooled with liquid hydrogen, the line can reduce energy for cooling the refrigerant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayuki Hirose, Yuichi Yamada
  • Patent number: 8173579
    Abstract: In a fabrication method of a MgB2 superconducting tape and wire by filling a tube with a MgB2 superconducting powder and forming it into a tape or wire, a fabrication method of a MgB2 superconducting tape (and wire) which is characterized by using a MgB2 superconducting powder having a high critical current density (Jc) owing to its lowered crystallinity and having potential for excellent grain connectivity as the MgB2 superconducting powder. Provided are a fabrication method of a MgB2 superconducting tape and wire which can fabricate a MgB2 superconducting tape and wire having a level of Jc sufficiently high for practical applications and homogeneous quality throughout its length by an ex-situ process employing a material of the composition suitable for its working environment as the sheath material, and a MgB2 superconducting tape and wire thereby fabricated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: National Institute for Materials Science
    Inventors: Takayuki Nakane, Hitoshi Kitaguchi, Hiroki Fujii, Hiroaki Kumakura
  • Publication number: 20120103659
    Abstract: In an embodiment, an apparatus including a cable is disclosed. The cable includes at least two conductors, each conductor comprising a high-temperature superconductor material, wherein a first conductor is concentric within a second conductor, and wherein the first conductor is tapered at a first end of the cable and the second conductor is tapered at a second end of the cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Peter Edward Sutherland