Abstract: Described is a cable comprising a plurality of high temperature superconductor (HTS) components, a plurality of electrically conductive segments extending along a length of the cable, each of the plurality of electrically conductive segments comprising one of the plurality of HTS components, and an electrically insulating material arranged between adjacent ones of the plurality of electrically conductive segments.

Abstract: Structures and methods enable emergency or rapid shutdown of an energized no-insulation (NI) superconducting magnet, without damage due to thermal effects of a quench. A resistive bypass wire is coupled between electrical terminals of the magnet coil, and does not pass significant current during normal magnet operation. When rapid shutdown is required, the bypass wire is cooled below its critical temperature, adding a superconducting current path in parallel with the magnet coil. A portion of the coil is then heated above its critical temperature, interrupting current flow through the coil. Hot spots near the coil leads are mitigated through the use of a conductive structure, such as copper cladding, that carries away excess heat due to the quench. This heat may be deposited in a resistive matrix, such as a steel plate, over a duration of seconds and without compromising other magnet design parameters.

Abstract: Schemes are described for conductor and coolant placement in stacked-plate superconducting magnets, including arranging coolant channels and conducting channels within the plates on opposing faces. If the two types of channels are aligned with one another across the plate stacks, the plates may be stacked such that the cooling channel in one plate is adjacent to the conducting channel of the neighboring plate. By stacking a number of these plates, therefore, cooling may be supplied to each conducting channel through the cooling channels of each neighboring plate. Moreover, by aligning the two types of channels, the stacks of plates may have improved mechanical strength because mechanical load paths through the entire stack that do not pass through any of the channels may be created. This arrangement of channels may produce a very strong stack of plates that can withstand high Lorentz loads.

Abstract: Techniques are described for delivering a metered flow of tritium gas to a fusion power system at a constant (or substantially constant) flow without feedback control being necessary, and while allowing all (or almost all) of the tritium in a reservoir to be delivered to the system. A constant pressure (isobaric) tritium injection system is described comprising a process chamber, at least part of which is flexible, and a regulating chamber arranged adjacent to the process chamber. Tritium in the process chamber may be pushed out of the injection system by managing the pressure of a regulating gas in the regulating chamber. As the pressure of the regulating gas increases, this causes the process chamber to be compressed due to the flexible portion(s) of the process chamber, thereby increasing the pressure of the tritium gas.

Abstract: Described herein are concepts, system and techniques which provide a means to construct robust high-field superconducting magnets using simple fabrication techniques and modular components that scale well toward commercialization. The resulting magnet assembly—which utilizes non-insulated, high temperature superconducting tapes (HTS) and provides for optimized coolant pathways—is inherently strong structurally, which enables maximum utilization of the high magnetic fields available with HTS technology. In addition, the concepts described herein provide for control of quench-induced current distributions within the tape stack and surrounding superstructure to safely dissipate quench energy, while at the same time obtaining acceptable magnet charge time. The net result is a structurally and thermally robust, high-field magnet assembly that is passively protected against quench fault conditions.

Abstract: Described herein are concepts, system and techniques which provide a means to construct robust high-field superconducting magnets using simple fabrication techniques and modular components that scale well toward commercialization. The resulting magnet assembly—which utilizes non-insulated, high temperature superconducting tapes (HTS) and provides for optimized coolant pathways—is inherently strong structurally, which enables maximum utilization of the high magnetic fields available with HTS technology. In addition, the concepts described herein provide for control of quench-induced current distributions within the tape stack and surrounding superstructure to safely dissipate quench energy, while at the same time obtaining acceptable magnet charge time. The net result is a structurally and thermally robust, high-field magnet assembly that is passively protected against quench fault conditions.

Abstract: Described herein is an apparatus for quality control of a superconducting tape including (a) at least two rolls contacting the superconducting tape and being suitable for injecting an electric current into the superconducting tape; (b) at least two measuring contacts contacting the superconducting tape and being suitable for measuring an electric voltage along the superconducting tape; and (c) a cooling section suitable for cooling the superconducting tape below its critical temperature, where the at least two rolls and the at least two measuring contacts are located inside the cooling section, and where the cooling section is suitable for keeping the rolls at a first temperature and the measuring contacts at a second temperature, where the first temperature is lower than the second temperature.