Abstract: A method and converter topology for ensuring charge and discharge of electric current to a coil so as to allow simultaneous and independent charge and discharge thereof, particularly suitable for a superconducting coil and showing an increase in power transfer by a factor of up to two as compared with prior art converters.

Abstract: An inductor uses high temperature superconductors in order to obtain high Q for high frequency operation. The superconductors are applied as thin films to substrates. In some embodiments, superconductor thin films are applied to opposite sides of the same substrate. Superconductive thin films are applied outside the magnetic field establishing superconductive thin films in order to shield against leakage of the magnetic field beyond the inductor. The inductor is connected to a capacitor to realize a resonant circuit used in a power conversion system.

Abstract: A pair of copper rails on which a projectile is mounted forms an electrometic rail gun. One end of the rails is connected across an electrical coil which resides between a pair of Helmholtz coils made of a high temperature superconducting material. The Helmholtz coils are normally held in a superconducting state and carry large currents without the need of a voltage source. A thermal quencher is provided which is capable of removing the superconducting state by heating the superconducting circuit. When the temperature of the superconducting circuit rises above its critical temperature, the resistance of the wires will increase, causing the current to collapse. This sharp collapse of the current will cause a correspondingly sharp collapse of the magnetic field of the Helmholtz coils, thereby inducing a sharp current pulse in the force coil which produces a high-energy electric power pulse on the rails to launch the projectile. A magnetic quencher may be used in place of the thermal quencher.

Abstract: A superconducting coil is disclosed. A plurality of coils made of oxide superconducting materials are formed on the respective surfaces of substrates, and the adjacent coils mounted on the substrates are connected by conductors to form one coil. Since the coil consists mainly of oxide superconductor, liquid nitrogen can be used to cool at a temperature less than Tc the coil which is energized in order to generate a magnetic field. Therefore it costs less to generate a magnetic field by the coil than by the conventional coils made of metallic superconductors. In addition, the coil is mechanically strong.

Abstract: A device for inductive current limiting of an alternating current consisting of an induction coil (2), which includes at least one winding and through which current flows, a body (3) made of a ceramic high-temperature superconductor arranged concentrically to the latter and having a centrosymmetrical form which is hollow in the interior, and having located in the interior of said body (3) a concentrically arranged core (4) made of a soft magnetic material of high permeability. In normal operation (rated current), the superconductivity of the body (3) is effective and impedance of the induction coil (2) is very low. With overcurrent (mains short-circuit) the superconductivity disappears and the impedance of the induction coil (2) reaches its maximum, current-limiting value.

Abstract: Thin-film transformer, for example suitable for use in a thin-film magnetic head, comprising a magnetic yoke composed of two magnetically permeable thin layers 3 and 5 and a primary turn constituted by an electrically conducting thin layer 13 and a secondary turn constituted by an electrically conducting thin layer 15. A thin layer 21 of a superconducting material is provided between the layer 3 and the said turns, or the turns are closely fitted together and made of a superconducting material themselves.

Abstract: A system, based on superconducting wires and elements, is used to rapidly generate magnetic field intensities at designated points. The apparatus consists of primary and secondary magnet windings, especially arranged so as to produce rapidly increasing magnetic fields. The primary magnet, located at a distance from the operating area, is charged prior to operation, thus producing a low magnetic field at the said area. Energy transfer to the secondary winding is initiated by induction from the primary winding, thus causing transfer to current to produce a high magnetic field in the said area. This system has many applications, including uses as reconnection-guns and electromagnetic launchers.

Abstract: A process for supplying a current consumer with current from an accumulator for electrical energy, in which electrical energy pulses of very short duration each are supplied to the current consumer from a superconducting accumulator (2) made with superconductors (8) of very small diameter or very small layer thickness. The superconductors (8) are preferably high-temperature superconductors.

Abstract: A pulsed transformer having a superconducting primary winding and a normal conducting secondary winding. The secondary winding is connected across a load. One side of the secondary winding has a switch in series to the load. A high energy storage inductor is connected in parallel across the switch. With the switch closed and the primary winding and storage inductor charged to their maximum capacity, a high level of current now flows through the switch. The primary is then caused to go into its normal conducting mode collapsing the primary field which induces current into the secondary winding. As the secondary winding current increases the high level of current normally flowing through the switch decreases to substantially zero. When the switch current reaches substantially zero, the switch can be opened without damage thereto releasing the high energy from the storage inductor into the load. The switch primary winding can be constructed from a high temperature superconductor for improved performance.

Abstract: A pulsed transformer utilizing the transition of the primary winding from a superconducting state to a normal state to increase the efficiency of energy transfer to the secondary winding thereof and hence to a load across the secondary winding. The primary winding is constructed as a composite which has minimal resistance when in a superconductive state and significantly higher resistance when in a normal or critical state.