Abstract: A superconducting magnetic coil includes a first superconductor formed of an anisotropic superconducting material for providing a low-loss magnetic field characteristic for magnetic fields parallel to the longitudinal axis of the coil and a second superconductor having a low loss magnetic field characteristic for magnetic fields perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the coil. The first superconductor has a normal state resistivity characteristic conducive for providing current limiting in the event that the superconducting magnetic coil is subjected to a current fault.

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: 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.