Abstract: Microemitter arrays comprising a plurality of microemitters having current transfer features such as microtips or blades to form contactless current transfer structures, and homopolar machines comprising same, are described and claimed. The invention further defines homopolar motors or generators comprising electrical connections formed of electrodes that transfer current without mechanical contact. Micron-size electron field emitters offer contact-free current transfer with high longevity, high reliability and are insensitive to temperature and if needed ionizing radiation. The microemitters may comprise diamond material and may be placed in a vacuum or noble gas environment. The gap between microemitters and electrodes for efficient, reliable current transfer could be in the range of 0.5 to 2 mm. The current transfer can be accomplished without mechanical contact, enabling higher RPM motors than previously achievable with brush or liquid metal electrical connections.

Abstract: An electrical system having a current path formed in a region between first and second electrodes. When a low pressure is sustained in the region, and a plasma is generated in a portion of a gap between the electrodes, current flows across the gap from the first electrode to the second electrode. In one embodiment the system is operable as a motor or a generator, having a first electrode and a member including a second electrode which is rotatable with respect to the first electrode. In another embodiment a first conductor is positioned to carry current toward or away from a first terminal at a high temperature, and a second conductor is spaced apart from the first terminal to carry current toward or away from a second terminal when the second conductor is at a low temperature relative to the temperature of the first region.

Abstract: A segment of a structure mitigates flow of fluid therethrough. In one embodiment the segment includes an opening for the fluid flow and the modified structure may include a ferromagnetic wall defining the opening and a plurality of permanently magnetized particles. Some of the permanently magnetized particles are attached to the wall by magnetic forces. A system is also provided for injecting magnetic particles into a cavity to impede movement of fluid through the cavity. A method is also described for mitigating a flow of fluid through an opening in a wall. In one embodiment, the method includes positioning a plurality of first magnetic particles along the wall and about the opening and attaching a plurality of second magnetic particles to the first magnetic particles wherein some of the second magnetic particles collectively extend across the opening to cover the opening.

Abstract: A power conversion and distribution system. In one embodiment low voltage source components convert a high voltage AC power source to a relatively low voltage supply and provide a direct current output. First superconductor wires carry current from the low voltage source components to a load, and second superconductor wires carry current from the load to the low voltage source components. Individual ones of the first wires are grouped with individual ones of the second wires so that wires connected to carry current in opposite directions are in such sufficiently close proximity that additives of self-fields generated by individual ones of the wires during power transmission result in reduction of the magnetic fringe field generated, thereby increasing the current carrying capacity of the wires.

Abstract: A method for manufacture of a conductor assembly. The assembly is of the type which, when conducting current, generates a magnetic field or in which, in the presence of a changing magnetic field, a voltage is induced. In an example embodiment one or more first coil rows are formed. The assembly has multiple coil rows about an axis with outer coil rows formed about inner coil rows. A determination is made of deviations from specifications associated with the formed one or more first coil rows. One or more deviations correspond to a magnitude of a multipole field component which departs from a field specification. Based on the deviations, one or more wiring patterns are generated for one or more second coil rows to be formed about the one or more first coil rows. The one or more second coil rows are formed in the assembly. The magnitude of each multipole field component that departs from the field specification is offset.

Abstract: A conductor assembly and method for making an assembly of the type which, when conducting current, generates a magnetic field or which, in the presence of a changing magnetic field, induces a voltage. In one series of embodiments the assembly comprises a spiral configuration, positioned along paths in a series of concentric cylindrical planes, with a continuous series of connected turns, each turn including a first arc, a second arc and first and second straight segments connected to one another by the first arc. Each of the first and second straight segments in a turn is spaced apart from an adjacent straight segment in an adjoining turn.

Abstract: A segment of a structure mitigates flow of fluid therethrough. In one embodiment the segment includes an opening for the fluid flow and the modified structure may include a ferromagnetic wall defining the opening and a plurality of permanently magnetized particles. Some of the permanently magnetized particles are attached to the wall by magnetic forces. A system is also provided for injecting magnetic particles into a cavity to impede movement of fluid through the cavity. A method is also described for mitigating a flow of fluid through an opening in a wall. In one embodiment, the method includes positioning a plurality of first magnetic particles along the wall and about the opening and attaching a plurality of second magnetic particles to the first magnetic particles wherein some of the second magnetic particles collectively extend across the opening to cover the opening.

Abstract: An electrical system having a current path formed in a region between first and second electrodes. When a low pressure is sustained in the region, and a plasma is generated in a portion of a gap between the electrodes, current flows across the gap from the first electrode to the second electrode. In one embodiment the system is operable as a motor or a generator, having a first electrode and a member including a second electrode which is rotatable with respect to the first electrode. In another embodiment a first conductor is positioned to carry current toward or away from a first terminal at a high temperature, and a second conductor is spaced apart from the first terminal to carry current toward or away from a second terminal when the second conductor is at a low temperature relative to the temperature of the first region.

Abstract: A power conversion and distribution system. In one embodiment low voltage source components convert a high voltage AC power source to a relatively low voltage supply and provide a direct current output. First superconductor wires carry current from the low voltage source components to a load, and second superconductor wires carry current from the load to the low voltage source components. Individual ones of the first wires are grouped with individual ones of the second wires so that wires connected to carry current in opposite directions are in such sufficiently close proximity that additives of self-fields generated by individual ones of the wires during power transmission result in reduction of the magnetic fringe field generated, thereby increasing the current carrying capacity of the wires.

Abstract: A method for manufacture of a conductor assembly. The assembly is of the type which, when conducting current, generates a magnetic field or in which, in the presence of a changing magnetic field, a voltage is induced. In an example embodiment one or more first coil rows are formed. The assembly has multiple coil rows about an axis with outer coil rows formed about inner coil rows. A determination is made of deviations from specifications associated with the formed one or more first coil rows. One or more deviations correspond to a magnitude of a multipole field component which departs from a field specification. Based on the deviations, one or more wiring patterns are generated for one or more second coil rows to be formed about the one or more first coil rows. The one or more second coil rows are formed in the assembly. The magnitude of each multipole field component that departs from the field specification is offset.

Abstract: A wiring assembly having a conductor positioned about an axis in a helical-like configuration to provide a repetitive pattern which rotates around the axis. In one embodiment, when a current passes through the conductor, a magnetic field having an orientation orthogonal to the axis changes direction as a function of position along the axis.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a magnetic field in a rotating machine. In one embodiment, a primary winding assembly is configured to generate a rotatable magnetic field. The assembly is connected to receive multiple signals of different phases to effect field rotation. A set of secondary windings is positioned for generation of current based on magnetic coupling during the field rotation. The secondary windings include conductor capable of supporting superconducting current flow. A rotatable machine includes a stator and a rotor winding coupled for rotation with respect to the stator. The secondary windings are formed in a circuit for providing superconducting current through the rotor winding.

Abstract: An alternating current machine which generates a magnetic field or induces a voltage. In one embodiment the machine includes a stator and a rotor positioned about an axis. The stator includes three sets of coils, each set including at least a first pair of coil rows wired in series, with first and second members of the first pair configured to generate axial fields in opposite directions. Coil rows in the first pair of each set of coils are each arranged a different distance from the axis. A first member of the pair of the second set of coil rows is positioned between the first and second members of the pair of the first set of coil rows. The distance between the axis and the first member of the second pair of coil rows is intermediate the distances between the members of the first pair of coil rows and the axis.

Abstract: A method for manufacture of a conductor assembly along a curvilinear axis. The assembly may be of the type which, when conducting current, generates a magnetic field or in which, in the presence of a changing magnetic field, a voltage is induced. In one example, the assembly includes a structure having a curved shape extending along the axis. A surface of the structure is positioned for formation of a channel along the curved shape. The structure is rotated about a second axis. While rotating the structure, a channel is formed in the surface that results in a helical shape in the structure. The channel extends both around and along the first axis.

Abstract: A method for manufacture of a conductor assembly. The assembly is of the type which, when conducting current, generates a magnetic field or in which, in the presence of a changing magnetic field, a voltage is induced. In an example embodiment one or more first coil rows are formed. The assembly has multiple coil rows about an axis with outer coil rows formed about inner coil rows. A determination is made of deviations from specifications associated with the formed one or more first coil rows. One or more deviations correspond to a magnitude of a multipole field component which departs from a field specification. Based on the deviations, one or more wiring patterns are generated for one or more second coil rows to be formed about the one or more first coil rows. The one or more second coil rows are formed in the assembly. The magnitude of each multipole field component that departs from the field specification is offset.

Abstract: A wiring assembly having a conductor positioned about an axis in a helical-like configuration to provide a repetitive pattern which rotates around the axis. In one embodiment, when a current passes through the conductor, a magnetic field having an orientation orthogonal to the axis changes direction as a function of position along the axis.

Abstract: A conductor assembly and method of manufacture. The assembly includes a magnetic coil positioned about a curvilinear axis with one or more coil rows comprising conductive material having an arcuate shape. A generated field is characterized by a dipole component having a first magnitude, a quadrupole component having a second magnitude, a sextupole component having a third magnitude and a decupole component having a fourth magnitude. The third and fourth magnitudes are each 10?3 the first magnitude or less.

Abstract: A conductor assembly and method for constructing an assembly of the type which, when conducting current, generates a magnetic field or which, in the presence of a changing magnetic field, induces a voltage. In one embodiment the method includes providing a first insulative layer having a curved surface along which a conductor segment may be positioned, and forming a channel in the insulative layer, which defines a first conductor path. The channel includes first and second opposing channel surfaces each extending from the surface of the insulative layer into the insulative layer and a third channel surface extending between the first and second channel surfaces. Each of the first and second channel surfaces includes a substantially flat surface portion with the surface portion of the first channel surface parallel with the surface portion of the second channel surface. A first segment of conductor is placed in the channel.

Abstract: A conductor assembly of the type which, when conducting current, generates a magnetic field or in which, in the presence of a changing magnetic field, a voltage is induced. In one series of embodiments a plurality of coil rows comprise conductor in a helical wiring pattern formed about an axis. One of the coil rows is positioned a radial distance R from the axis. For each of the coil rows the helical pattern comprises conductor loops each exhibiting a tilt in the same direction with respect to a plane transverse to the axis, the assembly capable of generating an axial field component and a transverse field component.

Abstract: A conductor assembly of the type which, when conducting current, generates a magnetic field or in which, in the presence of a changing magnetic field, a voltage is induced. In the assembly a first layer, tubular in shape, is formed about an axis. The axis includes a curved portion along which a conductor may be positioned to define a first conductor path. The first layer also includes a curved portion having a shape that includes a curve extending along the curved portion of the axis. A first conductor is arranged about the curved portion of the first layer in a first helical configuration including a curved segment, helical in shape and formed about the curved portion of the axis. The configuration is capable of sustaining a magnetic field having multipole components oriented in directions transverse to the axis.