Patents Assigned to American Superconductor Corporation
-
Patent number: 7423356Abstract: A stator assembly including a plurality of stator coil assemblies and a stator coil support structure constructed of a non-magnetic, thermally-conductive material. The stator coil support structure includes an axial passage for receiving a rotor assembly and a plurality of channels positioned radially about the axial passage. Each channel is configured to receive one or more of the stator coil assemblies.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2007Date of Patent: September 9, 2008Assignee: American Superconductor CorporationInventors: Swarn S. Kalsi, Peter M. Winn
-
Publication number: 20080188373Abstract: Superconductor precursor solutions are disclosed. The precursor solutions contain, for example, a salt of a rare earth metal, a salt of an alkaline earth metal and a salt of a transition metal. The precursor solutions can optionally include a Lewis base. The precursor solutions can be processed relatively quickly to provide a relatively thick and good quality intermediate of a rare earth metal-alkaline earth metal-transition metal oxide.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2008Publication date: August 7, 2008Applicant: American Superconductor CorporationInventors: Martin W. Rupich, Thomas A. Kodenkandath
-
Publication number: 20080143200Abstract: A stator assembly including a plurality of stator coil assemblies and a stator coil support structure constructed of a non-magnetic, thermally-conductive material. The stator coil support structure includes an axial passage for receiving a rotor assembly and a plurality of channels positioned radially about the axial passage. Each channel is configured to receive one or more of the stator coil assemblies.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2008Publication date: June 19, 2008Applicant: American Superconductor CorporationInventors: Swarn S. Kalsi, Peter M. Winn
-
Patent number: 7371134Abstract: A system includes an azimuthing pod configured to be attached to the hull of a ship, a superconducting motor positioned within the azimuthing pod, a refrigeration system including a compressor and a cryogenic refrigeration module coupled to the compressor. The system further comprises a transfer system configured to circulate a coolant between the cryogenic refrigeration module and the superconducting machine, at least one of the compressor and the cryogenic refrigeration module being positioned within the hull of the ship.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2005Date of Patent: May 13, 2008Assignee: American Superconductor CorporationInventor: Peter M. Winn
-
Patent number: 7326434Abstract: Superconductor precursor solutions are disclosed. The precursor solutions contain, for example, a salt of a rare earth metal, a salt of an alkaline earth metal and a salt of a transition metal. The precursor solutions can optionally include a Lewis base. The precursor solutions can be processed relatively quickly to provide a relatively thick and good quality intermediate of a rare earth metal-alkaline earth metal-transition metal oxide.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2003Date of Patent: February 5, 2008Assignee: American Superconductor CorporationInventors: Martin W. Rupich, Thomas A. Kodenkandath
-
Patent number: 7304826Abstract: A method and system for providing protection for a superconducting electrical cable located in a utility power network includes detecting a fault current on the superconducting electric cable, determining the cumulative total energy dissipated in the superconducting electrical cable from the fault current and at least one prior fault current over a predetermined time period, and determining whether to disconnect the superconducting electrical cable from the utility power network on the basis of the cumulative total energy dissipated.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2006Date of Patent: December 4, 2007Assignees: American Superconductor Corporation, NexansInventors: Jie Yuan, James F. MaGuire, Arnaud Allais, Frank Schmidt
-
Patent number: 7282832Abstract: A superconducting rotating machine includes a stator assembly having at least one stator coil assembly. A rotor assembly, which includes an axial shaft, is configured to rotate within the stator assembly. The rotor assembly includes at least one superconducting winding assembly. A first and second end plate are rigidly attached to the axial shaft at distal ends of the at least one superconducting winding assembly. An asynchronous field filtering shield surrounds the at least one superconducting winding assembly. A first interconnection assembly connects the shield to the first end plate. The first interconnection assembly allows for axial movement between the shield and the first end plate but restricts tangential movement between the same.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2001Date of Patent: October 16, 2007Assignee: American Superconductor CorporationInventor: Raymond T. Howard
-
Patent number: 7265521Abstract: The invention features a system and approach for minimizing the step voltage change as seen by the utility customer as well minimizing transients imposed on the fundamental waveform of a normal voltage carried on a utility power network when a reactive power source (e.g., capacitor bank) is instantaneously connected to the utility power. The reactive power source is adapted to transfer reactive power of a first polarity (e.g., capacitive reactive power) to the utility power network. The system includes a reactive power compensation device configured to transfer a variable quantity of reactive power of a second, opposite polarity to the utility power network, and a controller which, in response to the need to connect the shunt reactive power source to the utility power network, activates the reactive power compensation device and, substantially simultaneously, causes the shunt reactive power source to be connected to the utility power.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2005Date of Patent: September 4, 2007Assignee: American Superconductor CorporationInventors: Arnold P. Kehrli, John A. Diaz De Leon, II, Douglas C. Folts
-
Publication number: 20070200440Abstract: A stator assembly including a plurality of stator coil assemblies and a stator coil support structure constructed of a non-magnetic, thermally-conductive material. The stator coil support structure includes an axial passage for receiving a rotor assembly and a plurality of channels positioned radially about the axial passage. Each channel is configured to receive one or more of the stator coil assemblies.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2007Publication date: August 30, 2007Applicant: American Superconductor CorporationInventors: Swarn Kalsi, Peter Winn
-
Patent number: 7261776Abstract: A method of making a multilayer article includes depositing a first material on the surface of a metal substrate to form a seed layer of the first material, the first material being deposited under reducing conditions relative to the metal substrate, and then epitaxially depositing a second material on a surface of the seed layer, wherein the second material is deposited from a solution-based precursor under second conditions that are more oxidizing than the reducing conditions used in the deposition of the first material.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2004Date of Patent: August 28, 2007Assignee: American Superconductor CorporationInventors: Martin W. Rupich, Urs-Detlev Schoop, Darren Verebelyi, Thomas Kodenkandath, Xiaoping Li
-
Publication number: 20070197395Abstract: A process for preparing a superconductor article includes depositing a precursor solution onto a substrate to form a precursor film, the precursor solution comprising precursor components to a rare earth-alkaline earth metal-transition metal oxide in one or more solvents, decomposing the precursor film to form an intermediate film comprising the rare earth metal, the alkaline earth metal, and the transition metal of the first precursor solution, selectively removing portions of the intermediate film, wherein a patterned intermediate film is obtained, and treating the patterned intermediate film to form a rare earth-alkaline earth metal-transition metal oxide superconductor.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2007Publication date: August 23, 2007Applicant: American Superconductor CorporationInventors: Thomas Kodenkandath, Wei Zhang
-
Publication number: 20070179063Abstract: A method of making a laminated superconductor wire includes providing an assembly, where the assembly includes a substrate; a superconductor layer overlaying a surface of the substrate, the superconductor layer having a defined pattern; and a cap layer; and slitting the assembly in accordance with the defined pattern of the superconductor layer to form a sealed wire. Slitting the assembly in accordance with the defined pattern may form multiple sealed wires, and the substrate may be substantially wider than the sealed wires.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2006Publication date: August 2, 2007Applicant: American Superconductor CorporationInventors: Alexis Malozemoff, Martin Rupich, Douglas Folts
-
Publication number: 20070111893Abstract: A superconducting wire includes first and second superconducting layers disposed on one or more substrates in stacked relationship, the first superconducting layer comprising a high temperature superconducting oxide of a first composition and the second superconducting layer comprising a high temperature superconducting layer of a second composition, wherein the first and second compositions are different. The first superconductor layer optionally includes a high temperature superconductor composition selected to provide enhanced critical current (Ic(c)) in the presence of magnetic fields perpendicular to surface of the superconducting layer (H//c). The second superconductor layer optionally includes a high temperature superconductor composition selected to provide enhanced critical current (Ic) in the presence of magnetic fields parallel to surface of the superconducting layer (H//ab).Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2006Publication date: May 17, 2007Applicant: American Superconductor CorporationInventors: Thomas Kodenkandath, Wei Zhang, Yibing Huang, Xiaoping Li, Edward Siegal, Martin Rupich
-
Patent number: 7211919Abstract: A stator assembly includes a plurality of stator coil assemblies and a stator coil support structure constructed of a non-magnetic, thermally-conductive material. The stator coil support structure includes an axial passage for receiving a rotor assembly and a plurality of channels positioned radially about the axial passage. Each channel is configured to receive one or more of the stator coil assemblies.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2002Date of Patent: May 1, 2007Assignee: American Superconductor CorporationInventors: Swarn S. Kalsi, Peter M. Winn
-
Patent number: 7119644Abstract: A superconducting coil assembly is of the type mounted to a rotor assembly of an electric rotating machine and, in operation, is maintained at cryogenic temperatures while the portion of the rotor assembly is maintained above cryogenic temperatures. The superconducting coil assembly includes at least one superconducting winding wound about a longitudinal axis of the coil assembly and having an inner radial surface defining a bore extending through the coil assembly. The coil assembly also includes at least one support member extending across the bore and mechanically coupled to the portion of the rotor assembly and to opposing portions of the inner radial surface of the at least one superconducting winding.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2002Date of Patent: October 10, 2006Assignee: American Superconductor CorporationInventors: Gregory L. Snitchler, Raymond T. Howard, John P. Voccio, Peter M Winn, James F. Maguire, Bruce B. Gamble, Swarn S. Kalsi
-
Patent number: 7106156Abstract: Superconducting cables and magnetic devices are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2005Date of Patent: September 12, 2006Assignee: American Superconductor CorporationInventors: David M. Buczek, John D. Scudiere, Leslie G. Fritzemeier
-
Patent number: 7091703Abstract: The invention features a system for connection to a utility power network. The system includes a reactive power compensation device coupled to the network and configured to transfer reactive power between the utility power network and the reactive power compensation device; a capacitor system configured to transfer capacitive reactive power between the utility power network and the capacitor system; an electro-mechanical switch for connecting and disconnecting the capacitor system to the utility power network; an interface associated with the electro-mechanical switch; a controller configured to provide control signals for controlling the electro-mechanical switch; and a communication channel for coupling the controller to the interface associated with the electro-mechanical switch.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2004Date of Patent: August 15, 2006Assignee: American Superconductor CorporationInventors: Douglas C. Folts, William A. Vareka, Arnold P. Kehrli, John A. Diaz De Leon, II
-
Publication number: 20060073975Abstract: An elongated article comprising a first layer of oxide superconductor filaments extending substantially along the length of the elongated article and spaced apart from one another across the width of the elongated substrate; a second layer of oxide superconductor filaments extending substantially along the length of the elongated article and spaced apart from one another across the width of the elongated article, wherein the first filament layer is positioned above the second filament layer; and a barrier layer positioned between the first and second filament layers, wherein the filaments of the first and second filament layers are positioned such that at least one filament of the first layer crosses at least one filament of the second layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2004Publication date: April 6, 2006Applicant: American Superconductor CorporationInventors: Cornelis Thieme, Martin Rupich
-
Patent number: 7018954Abstract: Processes for the fabrication of MgB2 powder and wires are provided. Powders are produced by mechanically alloying magnesium- and boron-containing precursors under controlled conditions to avoid secondary phase and impurity formation. Powders are also prepared by vapor phase reaction of volatile magnesium- and boron-containing precursors. Wires, tapes, films and coatings are provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2002Date of Patent: March 28, 2006Assignee: American Superconductor CorporationInventors: Cornelis L. Thieme, Martin W. Rupich, Alexander Otto, Gilbert N. Riley, Jr.
-
Publication number: 20060040830Abstract: An article having low ac loss includes an elongated substrate having a length and a width; and a plurality of filaments comprising an oxide superconductor extending substantially along the length of the elongated substrate and spaced apart from one other filaments across the width of the elongated substrate, wherein at least one filament crosses over at least one other filament such that the at least one filament occupies a first position across the width of the elongated substrate before the crossover and a second position across the width of the elongated substrate after crossover.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2004Publication date: February 23, 2006Applicant: American Superconductor CorporationInventors: Cornelis Thieme, Martin Rupich, John Scudiere, Oleg Chevtchenko