Abstract: A superconducting coil and a rotating device, the performances of which are improved, and a superconducting coil manufacturing method are provided. A superconducting coil 10 is a saddle-shaped superconducting coil formed by winding a superconducting wire so as to form a race-track-like shape. The superconducting coil includes a curved portion 10b and a straight portion 10a connected to the curved portion 10b. In the curved portion 10b, an upper edge 10c is positioned closer to an inner peripheral side than a lower edge 10d is, and in the straight portion 10a, the upper edge 10c is positioned closer to an outer peripheral side than the lower edge 10d is.

Abstract: An electromechanical power converter that has a rotor assembly with a conductive shell, a first conductor made from superconducting material that is in series electrical contact with the conductive shell and a second conductor made from superconducting material and in series electrical contact with said conductive shell, thus providing an internal impedance converting electromechanical power converter.

Abstract: A generator that comprises at least one ferromagnetic core including a gap, a magnet capable of producing a normal magnetic field within said gap and at least one coil positioned within the normal magnetic field on the core. At least one diamagnet that is positioned to pass through said gap on said core, wherein the diamagnet momentarily blocks the normal magnetic field causing a voltage to be induced within said coil.

Abstract: A superconductive article is disclosed, having a substrate a buffer layer overlying the substrate, and a superconductive layer overlying the buffer layer. According to embodiments, the article may have low density characteristics, associated with the article as a whole and/or individual layers of the article. The article may be embodied in the form of long length conductors, coiled long length conductors, and machines incorporating such coils, for example.

Abstract: A high temperature superconductor (HTS) synchronous motor or generator includes permanent magnets disposed in the rotor. The permanent magnets can be magnetized after the rotor assembly is manufactured. The permanent magnets reduce flux density perpendicular to the superconducting coil. The magnets can be disposed in the d-axis of the motor. The motor is particularly useful in propulsion applications.

Abstract: A high temperature superconductor (HTS) synchronous motor or generator includes permanent magnets disposed in the rotor. The permanent magnets can be magnetized after the rotor assembly is manufactured. The permanent magnets reduce flux density perpendicular to the superconducting coil. The magnets can be disposed in the d-axis of the motor. The motor is particularly useful in propulsion applications.

Abstract: A superconducting device, such as a superconducting rotor for a generator or motor. A vacuum enclosure has an interior wall surrounding a cavity containing a vacuum. A superconductive coil is placed in the cavity. A generally-annularly-arranged, thermally-conductive sheet has an inward-facing surface contacting generally the entire outward-facing surface of the superconductive coil. A generally-annularly-arranged coolant tube contains a cryogenic fluid and contacts a generally-circumferential portion of the outward-facing surface of the sheet. A generally-annularly-arranged, thermally-insulative coil overwrap generally circumferentially surrounds the sheet. The coolant tube and the inward-facing surface of the coil overwrap together contact generally the entire outward-facing surface of the sheet.

Abstract: A superconducting bearing device comprises a permanent magnet portion fixedly mounted on a rotary body concentrically therewith, and a superconductor opposed to the magnet portion and spaced apart therefrom radially of the rotary body, the magnet portion being so disposed that the rotation of the rotary body does not alter the magnetic flux distribution around the axis of rotation of the rotary body, the superconductor being disposed at a position which is spaced apart from the magnet portion by a distance permitting a predetermined quantity of magnetic flux thereof to penetrate into the superconductor and which does not permit the rotation of the rotary body to alter the penetrating magnetic flux distribution. The magnet portion comprises a plurality of annular permanent magnets arranged at a spacing along the axis of rotation of the rotary body and an annular yoke of ferromagnetic material interposed between each two adjacent magnets.

Abstract: A ferromagnetic member (21) of a movable part (2) is disposed on a side of a stationary part (1) such that the ferromagnetic member (21) faces a high temperature superconductor (11) of the stationary part (1). The high temperature superconductor (11) is brought into a superconductive state by cooling it to a temperature below a critical temperature in a magnetic field. The magnetic flux pinned to the high temperature superconductor (11) is caused to pass through the ferromagnetic member (21) so that an attractive force is generated between the high temperature superconductor (11) and the ferromagnetic member (21) to hold the movable part (2). When the ferromagnetic member (21) has a shape such that when the gap becomes lower than a predetermined value, the attractive force decreases, the movable part (2) can be stably suspended in a non-contacting manner, without the necessity of control, by the combination of the high temperature superconductor (11) and the ferromagnetic member (21).

Abstract: A superconducting device, such as a superconducting rotor for a generator or motor or a superconducting magnet for a magnetic resonance imaging machine, etc. A vacuum enclosure surrounds and is spaced apart from a superconductive coil. Apparatus supports the coil in the enclosure during operation of the device, such apparatus including a first thermally insulative honeycomb assemblage positioned between the coil and the enclosure. In a first preferred construction, the first honeycomb assemblage is positioned between and connected to the coil and a thermal shield, and a second honeycomb assemblage is positioned between and connected to the shield and the enclosure. In a second preferred construction, the second honeycomb assemblage is replaced with a first suspension strap.

Abstract: A superconducting bearing comprises a rotating member A and a fixed member B, one of which is provided with a superconducting member (5) while the other is provided with a magnet (8). The superconducting member (5) includes a superconductor (4) for floating the magnet (8) and a support (3) for supporting the superconductor (4). The magnet (8) includes a ring-like magnet (11) which is coaxial with the axis of the rotary member A, and the ring-like magnet (11) and the superconductor member (5) are so disposed as to face each other with a gap between them. A magnetic flux diffusion member (13) is disposed on the surface of the ring-like magnet (11) opposed to the superconductor (5). The ring-like magnet (11) comprises two ring-like magnets (11A and 11B) having mutually different diameters, and the ring-like magnets (11A and 11B) are magnetized so that the directions of magnetic fluxes face slantingly with one another.

Abstract: A superconducting bearing device includes a permanent magnet on a rotor, with a superconductor placed opposite the magnet. Flux trapped in the superconductor during cooling helps to stabilize the rotor. More specifically, the permanent magnet is mounted on the rotor so that, as the rotor rotates, its rotation does not alter the magnetic flux distribution around the axis of rotation of the rotor. The superconductor permits penetration of the magnetic flux from the magnet, being spaced from the magnet by a distance that permits a predetermined quantity of the magnetic flux to penetrate it, while not permitting rotation of the rotor to alter the distribution of the penetrating magnetic flux.

Abstract: An energy storage device which comprises at least a first object having a rotational mechanism which rotates around an axis and a surface which generates a magnetic field; at least a second object comprising a superconductor and having provided separately from said first object but facing said surface which generates a magnetic field; a device which provides a rotational energy to the first object by exerting an electromagnetic reaction to said first object; and a device which converts the rotational energy of the first object into an electric energy; provided that the first object is substantially levitated at its use, and that said first object uses no mechanical support device.

Abstract: A superconducting rotating machine comprises a cylindrical frame, a stator installed integrally around an inner periphery of the cylindrical frame and a rotor arranged concentrically and rotatably within the stator in a juxtaposed spaced relationship to the inner surfaces of the stator and with a cylindrical clearance between the inner periphery of the stator and the outer periphery of the rotor. The stator coil includes a primary coil having extra fine Cu filaments and a secondary coil having extra fine filaments made of a superconducting alloy containing Cu, Nb.sub.3 Sn, V.sub.3 Ga, V.sub.3 Ge, Bi, Ca, CuO and Sr. The secondary coil is covered with an insulating layer. Even if a conventional rotatable cryogenic container is not provided, a strong anomalous pseudo-Josephson effect can be obtained. A superconducting generator for use in lighting equipment is also disclosed.

Abstract: A superconducting bearing device includes a permanent magnet on a rotor, with a superconductor placed opposite the magnet. Flux trapped in the superconductor during cooling helps to stabilize the rotor. More specifically, the permanent magnet is mounted on the rotor so that, as the rotor rotates, its rotation does not alter the magnetic flux distribution around the axis of rotation of the rotor. The superconductor permits penetration of the magnetic flux from the magnet, being space from the magnet by a distance that permits a predetermined quantity of the magnetic flux to penetrate it, while not permitting rotation of the rotor to alter the distribution of the penetrating magnetic flux.

Abstract: A superconducting motor (1) comprises a stator (3) and a rotor (5), both of which employ superconductive windings. The rotor includes two sets of windings, a large rotor winding (13) and a small rotor winding (15). The windings are connected to form a current loop (16) which is exposed to a magnetic field. Switches (S1,S2) or diodes (D1,D2) are employed to trap a maximum number of magnetic flux lines in the loop when the magnetic field is impressed on the loop. Thereafter, the trapped flux is transferred from the small to the large winding to run the motor. When the switches are closed, the loop acts as a perfect conductor whereby no flux change occurs within the loop.

Abstract: A non-contacting superconducting rotating assembly is described which includes a floating, unsupported and stable rotor. The assembly includes first and second bearings comprised of a material which exhibits Type II superconducting properties. The rotor includes a magnetic pole at each of its extremities, each pole resting in a bearing. The polar axis of each pole is colinear with the rotating axis of the rotor. A temperature bath is provided for maintaining the bearings at or below their critical superconducting temperature and a motive mechanism provides for rotation of the rotor. Each magnet pole is thereby levitated and adapted to rotate in a stable, non contacting position by the field and pinning effects generated by the associated bearing.

Abstract: An AC electrical machine which includes a superconducting, diamagentic flux shield cylinder enclosing the stator windings such that the magnetic flux produced by the machine's rotor is bottled within the flux shield.

Abstract: Magnetic support structure for a rotatable machinery part is described which comprises a stationary support structure, an annular stator comprising an array of a plurality of electromagnets or one or more electrically conductive or superconductive elements supported by the support structure about an axis, rim structure attached to the periphery of the rotatable part for rotation therewith about the axis radially inwardly of and proximate to the electromagnets, the rim structure including electrically conductive non-ferromagnetic material for magnetic interaction with the stator, and a source of power for selectively energizing the stator.