Abstract: This invention relates to a practical superconducting conductor based upon biaxially textured high temperature superconducting coatings. In particular, methods for producing flexible and bend strain-resistant articles and articles produced in accordance therewith are described which provide improved current sharing, lower hysteretic losses under alternating current conditions, enhanced electrical and thermal stability and improved mechanical properties between otherwise isolated films in a coated high temperature superconducting (HTS) wire. Multilayered materials including operational material which is sensitive to bend strain can be constructed, in which the bend strain in the region in which such operational material is located is minimized. The invention also provides a means for splicing coated tape segments and for termination of coated tape stack ups or conductor elements.

Abstract: A stator support system for supporting a stator coil assembly includes an inner support tube having an outer surface; spaced windings supported on the inner support tube with spaces between adjacent windings defining gaps; support members, each disposed within one of the gaps and having a first and second edge configured to mechanically engage the outer surface of the inner support tube; and a cross support positioned over the spaced winding and extending perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the stator coil assembly. The cross support having a first edge configured to mechanically engage the second edge of the support members.

Abstract: A system for cooling a superconductor device includes a cryocooler located in a stationary reference frame and a closed circulation system external to the cryocooler. The closed circulation system interfaces the stationary reference frame with a rotating reference frame in which the superconductor device is located. A method of cooling a superconductor device includes locating a cryocooler in a stationary reference frame, and transferring heat from a superconductor device located in a rotating reference frame to the cryocooler through a closed circulation system external to the cryocooler. The closed circulation system interfaces the stationary reference frame with the rotating reference frame.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for supplying power to superconducting loads includes a current source, a cryogenic region (e.g., a cryogenic chamber), a first switching device in series between the current source and a superconducting load, and a second switching device in parallel with the superconducting load. The switching devices are arranged so that, when the first is closed and the second is open, recharging current is supplied to the superconducting load. The second switching device serves as a shunt. When it is closed and the first is open, current recirculates through the persistent (or partially persistent) superconducting load. The invention also provides a superconducting magnet incorporating such a power supply.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for supplying power to superconducting loads includes a current source, a cryogenic region (e.g., a cryogenic chamber), a first switching device in series between the current source and a superconducting load, and a second switching device in parallel with the superconducting load. The switching devices are arranged so that, when the first is closed and the second is open, recharging current is supplied to the superconducting load. The second switching device serves as a shunt. When it is closed and the first is open, current recirculates through the persistent (or partially persistent) superconducting load. The invention also provides a superconducting magnet incorporating such a power supply.

Abstract: The invention relates to a high-temperature superconductor lead element including a plurality of lengths of high-temperature superconductor electrically connected in a non-collinear configuration, for example, next to and parallel with each other, to increase the thermal length of the lead element. A proximal end of a first of the lengths is configured for thermal connection to a warm thermal element and a distal end of a last of the lengths is configured for thermal connection to a cold thermal element. Each length of high-temperature superconductor includes a high-temperature superconductor plate having an electrically insulative support and a plurality of high-temperature superconductor tapes mounted, in a linear array, on the support. A plurality of high-temperature superconductor plates are arranged with their longitudinal axis parallel to form a cylindrical lead with "bad" self-fields in each plate being substantially cancelled by self-fields in neighboring plates.

Abstract: A cooling system is configured to control the flow of a refrigerant by controlling the rate at which the refrigerant is heated, thereby providing an efficient and reliable approach to cooling a load (e.g., magnets, rotors). The cooling system includes a conduit circuit connected to the load and within which a refrigerant circulates; a heat exchanger, connected within the conduit circuit and disposed remotely from the load; a first and a second reservoir, each connected within the conduit, each holding at least a portion of the refrigerant; a heater configured to independently heat the first and second reservoirs. In a first mode, the heater heats the first reservoir, thereby causing the refrigerant to flow from the first reservoir through the load and heat exchanger, via the conduit circuit and into the second reservoir.

Abstract: The invention provides a superconducting ceramic laminate including a superconducting tape mechanically coupled to, and compressively strained to 0.1% or more under a predetermined load by, at least one cladding tape. The material and thickness of the cladding tape or tapes are selected relative to the material and thickness of the superconducting tape to locate the neutral axis so that, under a predetermined heavy load, the maximum compressive strain on any superconducting portion of the superconducting tape is less than the critical compressive strain and the maximum tensile strain on any superconducting portion of the superconducting tape under a predetermined load is less than the critical tensile strain. By "heavy load" is meant a load on the laminate equivalent to a load on the unlaminated superconducting tape selected for the laminate including a surface bend strain on the unlaminated superconducting tape of at least 0.1%.

Abstract: A rotor assembly for use within a superconducting electric motor includes a superconducting winding formed of high temperature superconductor and during operation, generates a flux path within the rotor assembly; and a high permeability magnetic material, positioned within at least a portion of the flux path so as to decrease the overall reluctance of the flux path. The rotor assembly may include a support member having an internal volume and formed of a non-magnetic, high-strength resilient material. The support member supports on its outer surface the superconducting winding and within its internal volume, the high permeability magnetic material. The magnetic material may be in the form of a core member to provide the low reluctance portion to the flux path generated by the superconducting winding.

Abstract: Double pancake coils include a pair of pancake coils of different dimensions, and are wound from the same continuous length of superconducting wire. The double pancake coils are coaxially positioned and electrically interconnected along a longitudinal axis to provide a multi-coil superconducting magnetic coil assembly. Each of the double pancakes has at least one of its pancake coils electrically connected to at least another pancake coil of an adjacent double pancake coil having substantially the same outer dimension. The electrical connections between adjacent pancake coils are provided with relatively straight or "unbent" segments of superconducting wire even though the inner and/or outer dimension profile of the superconducting magnetic coil assembly along its longitudinal axis varies.

Abstract: A cornering pipe traveler includes a tractor having a pair of carriages, a leading carriage and a trailing carriage, each carriage including a clamping device for positively engaging the inner surface of the pipe, and structure for propelling the carriage along the pipe; interconnected between the pair of carriages there is a device for exerting a curling force between the two carriages for mechanically compelling the lead carriage to curl and enter a turn in the pipe; also included is structure for aligning the lead carriage so that the curling force compels the pipe traveler to enter a selected turn to be made.

Abstract: A respiratory apparatus, which receives exhaled gas from a user, removes carbon dioxide from and introduces oxygen into the exhaled gas, to present a breathing gas to a user. A respiratory flow transducer in the respiratory apparatus is subjected to the breathing gas demand of the user. Oxygen is introduced into the breathing system by an oxygen flow regulator connected to an oxygen supply inlet. The respiratory flow transducer and the oxygen flow regulator are connected by a linkage. The linkage constrains the oxygen flow regulator and respiratory flow transducer to operate together whereby there is a substantially constant ratio between the breathing gas flow rate and the oxygen flow rate.An air bleed system can be connected to an air inlet to introduce air into the respiratory apparatus and to displace a portion of the gas from the respiratory apparatus.

Abstract: A dynamoelectric machine has a rotor including a driven shaft at one end thereof, an undriven shaft at the other end and a central section connecting said shafts. A superconducting field winding is disposed within said central section with a torque tube located concentrically with the rotor shafts. The torque tube and superconducting field winding are supported in cantilever fashion to one end of the rotor shafts.

Abstract: A superconducting generator having rotor including a field winding operated at superconducting temperature and a cylindrical electromagnetic shield surrounding and shielding said winding. A cylindrical thermal radiation shield disposed between said electromagnetic shield and said field winding to intercept radiation from said shield and re-radiate to the field winding at a lower temperature with a heat transfer mechanism for rapid cooldown of the thermal radiation shield and serving to maintain the thermal radiation shield at substantially uniform temperature throughout its length.

Abstract: Cryogenic liquid coolant for cooling the rotor of a superconducting generator is deposited on the inner surface of a rotating conduit extending within the rotor, forming an annulus of liquid surrounding a vapor core. The liquid coolant from the rotating tube is transferred to two radial tubes in the rotor and, upon emerging therefrom, splashes on the surface of a pool of coolant bathing the rotor windings. Evaporated coolant is returned from the rotor in separate streams from the driven end and the collector end, allowing cooling of the driven and collector ends to be equalized by independently controlling flow of the returning streams.

Abstract: Resistors disposed for vaporizing vapor-trap liquid coolant are individually connected in series with each of the high-aspect-ratio current leads connected to a superconductive coil of an intermittently operable electromagnetic machine. The portion of each lead extending from a coolant vapor return duct (through which the leads enter the machine) and terminating within the coil chamber is of hollow structure. The terminal length of each such portion is turned radially outward and its open outer end is submerged in the pool of liquid coolant in the chamber. The vapor traps are individually defined by liquid coolant in the hollow terminal length of each lead. Coolant vaporized in each trap flows in lead-cooling relationship with the corresponding hollow lead portion.

Abstract: Cryogenic liquid coolant for cooling the rotor of a superconducting generator is deposited on the inner surface of a rotating conduit extending within the rotor, forming an annulus of liquid surrounding a vapor core. The liquid coolant from the rotating tube is transferred to two radial tubes in the rotor and, upon emerging therefrom, splashes on the surface of a pool of coolant bathing the rotor windings. Evaporated coolant is returned from the rotor in separate streams from the driven end and the collector end, allowing cooling of the driven and collector ends to be equalized by independently controlling flow of the returning streams. The liquid coolant supply pressure determines the position of the coolant pool surface in the rotor.

Abstract: An automatic arrangement is provided for control of the flow of vaporized coolant used for removing heat from each of the current leads carrying current to the rotor winding of a superconducting rotor. That portion of each lead extending from a coolant vapor return duct (through which the leads enter the machine) into the rotor winding chamber is formed as a hollow insulated (electrically and thermally) structure. The terminal length thereof is turned radially outward and the open outer end thereof is disposed below the surface of the pool of liquid coolant in the rotor winding chamber. A vapor trap is defined in the hollow lead, the vapor therein having a pressure greater than the pressure in the vapor core in the rotor winding chamber, this pressure differential being accommodated by a difference between the liquid level of the pool and the level of the liquid entering into the outer end of the hollow lead.