Patents by Inventor Manfred Thoener

Manfred Thoener has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20240090346
    Abstract: A monofilament (100) for producing an Nb3 Sn-containing superconductor wire (33) includes a powder core (1) with an Sn-containing powder, a reaction tube (3) composed of an Nb alloy that includes Nb and at least one further alloy component X. The powder core is disposed within the reaction tube. The monofilament also includes at least two sources (4) for at least one partner component Pk. A respective source includes one or more source structures at a unitary radial position in the monofilament. The source structures are at different radial positions. The alloy component X and the partner component Pk form precipitates XPk on reaction annealing of the monofilament in which Sn from the powder core and Nb from the reaction tube react to produce Nb3 Sn. The powder core is disposed in a moderation tube, which is disposed within the reaction tube. This provides a monofilament with improved current carrying capacity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Carl BUEHLER, Vital ABAECHERLI, Bernd SAILER, Klaus SCHLENGA, Manfred THOENER, Matheus WANIOR
  • Patent number: 11758827
    Abstract: A monofilament (100) for producing an Nb3Sn-containing superconductor wire (33) includes a powder core (1) with an Sn-containing powder, a reaction tube (3) composed of an Nb alloy that includes Nb and at least one further alloy component X. The powder core is disposed within the reaction tube. The monofilament also includes at least one source (4) for at least one partner component Pk. A respective source includes one or more source structures at a unitary radial position in the monofilament. The alloy component X and the partner component Pk form precipitates XPk on reaction annealing of the monofilament in which Sn from the powder core and Nb from the reaction tube react to produce Nb3Sn. The powder core is disposed in a moderation tube, which in turn is disposed within the reaction tube. This provides a monofilament for a powder-in-tube based Nb3Sn-containing superconductor wire with improved current carrying capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: BRUKER EAS GMBH
    Inventors: Carl Buehler, Vital Abaecherli, Bernd Sailer, Klaus Schlenga, Manfred Thoener, Matheus Wanior
  • Patent number: 11653575
    Abstract: A subelement (1) for an Nb3Sn-containing superconductor wire includes an Sn-containing core (2), an inner matrix (5) which includes Cu and surrounds the Sn-containing core (2), a region (7) of mutually abutting Nb-containing rod elements (8, 30), which surrounds the inner matrix (5), where the Nb-containing rod elements (8, 30) are each configured with an Nb-containing core filament (9; 31) and a Cu-containing filament casing (10), an outer matrix (6) which includes Cu and surrounds the region (7) of Nb-containing rod elements (8, 30). The Sn-containing core (2) has a core tube (3) into which an Sn-containing powder (4) has been introduced, the Sn-containing powder (4) being in a compacted state. This provides a subelement for an Nb3Sn-containing superconductor wire which cost-effectively yields an improved superconducting current carrying capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: BRUKER EAS GMBH
    Inventors: Klaus Schlenga, Matheus Wanior, Vital Abaecherli, Manfred Thoener, Carl Buehler, Bernd Sailer
  • Patent number: 11515462
    Abstract: For producing an Nb3Sn superconductor wire, restack rod process (RRP) subelements (1a; 60a) are grouped to form a bundle having an approximately circular cross section and are arranged together with filling elements (18a-18c) in an internally and externally round outer tube (19; 52). To the inside the filling elements form a serrated profile (25) for abutment against the hexagonal subelements, and to the outside they form a round profile (24) for direct or indirect abutment in the outer tube. In fabricating the RRP subelements, and before a reshaping with a reduction in cross section, an externally hexagonal and internally round casing structure (9) is provided, into which the remaining parts of the subelements are inserted, in particular, an annular arrangement of hexagonal Nb-containing rod elements (4), which are surrounded externally by an outer matrix (7, 61) and internally by an inner matrix (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: BRUKER EAS GMBH
    Inventors: Matheus Wanior, Vital Abaecherli, Carl Buehler, Bernd Sailer, Klaus Schlenga, Manfred Thoener, Michael Field
  • Patent number: 11491543
    Abstract: A method for the production of a superconducting wire (20) uses a monofilament (1) having a powder core (3) that contains at least Sn and Cu, an inner tube (2), made of Nb or an alloy containing Nb, that encloses the powder core (3), and an outer tube (4) in which the inner tube (2) is arranged. The outer side of the inner tube (2) is in contact with the inner side of the outer tube (4) and the outer tube (4) is produced from Nb or from an alloy containing Nb. The outer tube is disposed in a cladding tube. The superconducting current carrying capacity of the superconducting wire is thereby improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Bruker EAS GmbH
    Inventor: Manfred Thoener
  • Publication number: 20220115578
    Abstract: A subelement (1) for an Nb3Sn-containing superconductor wire includes an Sn-containing core (2), an inner matrix (5) which includes Cu and surrounds the Sn-containing core (2), a region (7) of mutually abutting Nb-containing rod elements (8, 30), which surrounds the inner matrix (5), where the Nb-containing rod elements (8, 30) are each configured with an Nb-containing core filament (9; 31) and a Cu-containing filament casing (10), an outer matrix (6) which includes Cu and surrounds the region (7) of Nb-containing rod elements (8, 30). The Sn-containing core (2) has a core tube (3) into which an Sn-containing powder (4) has been introduced, the Sn-containing powder (4) being in a compacted state. This provides a subelement for an Nb3Sn-containing superconductor wire which cost-effectively yields an improved superconducting current carrying capacity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Inventors: Klaus SCHLENGA, Matheus WANIOR, Vital ABAECHERLI, Manfred THOENER, Carl BUEHLER, Bernd SAILER
  • Patent number: 11264150
    Abstract: A method for producing an at least two-part structure, such as a semifinished product for a superconducting wire is provided. A first structure and a second structure are separately produced, and the first structure and the second structure are then inserted one into the other. The first structure and the second structure are respectively produced in layers by selective laser melting or selective electron beam melting of a powder. The method produces two-part structures for semifinished products of superconducting wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: BRUKER EAS GMBH
    Inventors: Klaus Schlenga, Vital Abaecherli, Bernd Sailer, Manfred Thoener, Matheus Wanior
  • Publication number: 20220029084
    Abstract: For producing an Nb3Sn superconductor wire, restack rod process (RRP) subelements (1a; 60a) are grouped to form a bundle having an approximately circular cross section and are arranged together with filling elements (18a-18c) in an internally and externally round outer tube (19; 52). To the inside the filling elements form a serrated profile (25) for abutment against the hexagonal subelements, and to the outside they form a round profile (24) for direct or indirect abutment in the outer tube. In fabricating the RRP subelements, and before a reshaping with a reduction in cross section, an externally hexagonal and internally round casing structure (9) is provided, into which the remaining parts of the subelements are inserted, in particular, an annular arrangement of hexagonal Nb-containing rod elements (4), which are surrounded externally by an outer matrix (7, 61) and internally by an inner matrix (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Matheus WANIOR, Vital ABAECHERLI, Carl BUEHLER, Bernd SAILER, Klaus SCHLENGA, Manfred THOENER, Michael FIELD
  • Publication number: 20200136009
    Abstract: A monofilament (100) for producing an Nb3Sn-containing superconductor wire (33) includes a powder core (1) with an Sn-containing powder, a reaction tube (3) composed of an Nb alloy that includes Nb and at least one further alloy component X. The powder core is disposed within the reaction tube. The monofilament also includes at least one source (4) for at least one partner component Pk. A respective source includes one or more source structures at a unitary radial position in the monofilament. The alloy component X and the partner component Pk form precipitates XPk on reaction annealing of the monofilament in which Sn from the powder core and Nb from the reaction tube react to produce Nb3Sn. The powder core is disposed in a moderation tube, which in turn is disposed within the reaction tube. This provides a monofilament for a powder-in-tube based Nb3Sn-containing superconductor wire with improved current carrying capacity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: Carl BUEHLER, Vital ABAECHERLI, Bernd SAILER, Klaus SCHLENGA, Manfred THOENER, Matheus WANIOR
  • Patent number: 10622537
    Abstract: A method for producing a semifinished product for a superconducting wire is provided herein. The semifinished product includes at least one NbTi-containing structure, such as a NbTi-containing rod structure. The NbTi-containing structure may be produced in layers by selective laser melting or selective electron beam melting of a powder that contains Nb and Ti. In the production of at least some layers of the NbTi-containing structure, during the production of an irradiated area provided for a material deposition of a respective layer, at least one process parameter of the selective laser melting or electron beam melting is varied in one or a plurality of first zones of the irradiated area as compared to one or a plurality of second zones of the irradiated area. The present techniques simplify introduction of artificial pinning centers into the NbTi-material of a superconducting wire or a semifinished product for such a superconducting wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: BRUKER EAS GMBH
    Inventors: Vital Abaecherli, Klaus Schlenga, Bernd Sailer, Manfred Thoener, Matheus Wanior
  • Publication number: 20200108447
    Abstract: A method for the production of a superconducting wire (20) uses a monofilament (1) having a powder core (3) that contains at least Sn and Cu, an inner tube (2), made of Nb or an alloy containing Nb, that encloses the powder core (3), and an outer tube (4) in which the inner tube (2) is arranged. The outer side of the inner tube (2) is in contact with the inner side of the outer tube (4) and the outer tube (4) is produced from Nb or from an alloy containing Nb. The outer tube is disposed in a cladding tube. The superconducting current carrying capacity of the superconducting wire is thereby improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Applicant: Bruker EAS GmbH
    Inventor: Manfred Thoener
  • Publication number: 20180212135
    Abstract: A method for producing a semifinished product for a superconducting wire is provided herein. The semifinished product includes at least one NbTi-containing structure, such as a NbTi-containing rod structure. The NbTi-containing structure may be produced in layers by selective laser melting or selective electron beam melting of a powder that contains Nb and Ti. In the production of at least some layers of the NbTi-containing structure, during the production of an irradiated area provided for a material deposition of a respective layer, at least one process parameter of the selective laser melting or electron beam melting is varied in one or a plurality of first zones of the irradiated area as compared to one or a plurality of second zones of the irradiated area. The present techniques simplify introduction of artificial pinning centers into the NbTi-material of a superconducting wire or a semifinished product for such a superconducting wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Inventors: Klaus SCHLENGA, Manfred THOENER, Bernd SAILER, Vital ABAECHERLI, Matheus WANIOR
  • Publication number: 20180211747
    Abstract: A method for producing an at least two-part structure, such as a semifinished product for a superconducting wire is provided. A first structure and a second structure are separately produced, and the first structure and the second structure are then inserted into one another. The first structure and the second structure are respectively produced in layers by selective laser melting or selective electron beam melting of a powder. The method produces two-part structures for semifinished products of superconducting wires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Inventors: Klaus SCHLENGA, Manfred THOENER, Bernd SAILER, Vital ABAECHERLI, Matheus WANIOR
  • Patent number: 9741471
    Abstract: A semifinished wire (1) for a superconducting wire containing Nb3Sn has a Cu stabilization cladding tube (2), a ring-shaped closed diffusion barrier (3) in the inside of the Cu stabilization cladding tube (2) and a plurality of PIT elements (6) in the inside of the diffusion barrier (3), each having a cladding (8) containing Cu, a small tube (9), and a powder core (10) containing Sn. The small tube (9) consists of Nb or an alloy containing Nb and the diffusion barrier (3) has a percentage of area ADF in cross-section of the semifinished wire (1) of 3% ADF 9% and a wall thickness WDF with 8 ?m?WDF?25 ?m. A plurality of filler elements (5) are arranged inside the diffusion barrier (3), with the inner sides of the filler elements (5) abutting the PIT elements (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Bruker EAS GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Thoener, Bernd Sailer
  • Publication number: 20170072470
    Abstract: A monofilament (1) for the production of a superconducting wire (20) has a powder core (3) that contains at least Sn and Cu, an inner tube (2), made of Nb or an alloy containing Nb, that encloses the powder core (3), and an outer tube (4) in which the inner tube (2) is arranged. The outer side of the inner tube (2) is in contact with the inner side of the outer tube (4) and the outer tube (4) is produced from Nb or from an alloy containing Nb. The outer tube is disposed in a cladding tube. The superconducting current carrying capacity of the superconducting wire is thereby improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Applicant: Bruker EAS GmbH
    Inventor: Manfred Thoener
  • Publication number: 20160247606
    Abstract: A semifinished wire (1) for a superconducting wire containing Nb3Sn has a Cu stabilization cladding tube (2), a ring-shaped closed diffusion barrier (3) in the inside of the Cu stabilization cladding tube (2) and a plurality of PIT elements (6) in the inside of the diffusion barrier (3), each having a cladding (8) containing Cu, a small tube (9), and a powder core (10) containing Sn. The small tube (9) consists of Nb or an alloy containing Nb and the diffusion barrier (3) has a percentage of area ADF in cross-section of the semifinished wire (1) of 3% ADF 9% and a wall thickness WDF with 8 ?m?WDF?25 ?m. A plurality of filler elements (5) are arranged inside the diffusion barrier (3), with the inner sides of the filler elements (5) abutting the PIT elements (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Inventors: Manfred Thoener, Bernd Sailer
  • Patent number: 9177699
    Abstract: A method for producing a superconducting wire (10), wherein an internal wire (1), which contains superconducting filaments (4), is provided with a normally conducting stabilizing structure (9), is characterized in that, in a continuous or quasi-continuous process, one or more sheath elements (2; 2a, 2b) are shaped and/or placed around the internal wire (9), so that the entire circumference of the internal wire (1) is enclosed by one or more sheath elements (2; 2a, 2b), and all seams (6; 6a, 6b; 16; 16a, 16b) of sheath element ends (5a-5d; 15a-15d) facing each other are soldered and/or welded. A method for producing a superconducting wire is thereby provided, which restricts the cross section of the superconducting wire to a lesser extent and which permits the use of lead-free solder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Bruker EAS GmbH
    Inventors: Burkhard Prause, Manfred Thoener, Andreas Szulczyk
  • Publication number: 20140287929
    Abstract: A monofilament (1) for the production of a superconducting wire (20) has a powder core (3) that contains at least Sn and Cu, an inner tube (2), made of Nb or an alloy containing Nb, that encloses the powder core (3), and an outer tube (4) in which the inner tube (2) is arranged. The outer side of the inner tube (2) is in contact with the inner side of the outer tube (4) and the outer tube (4) is produced from Nb or from an alloy containing Nb. The outer tube is disposed in a cladding tube. The superconducting current carrying capacity of the superconducting wire is thereby improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventor: Manfred Thoener
  • Publication number: 20140100117
    Abstract: A method for producing a superconducting wire (10), wherein an internal wire (1), which contains superconducting filaments (4), is provided with a normally conducting stabilizing structure (9), is characterized in that, in a continuous or quasi-continuous process, one or more sheath elements (2; 2a, 2b) are shaped and/or placed around the internal wire (9), so that the entire circumference of the internal wire (1) is enclosed by one or more sheath elements (2; 2a, 2b), and all seams (6; 6a, 6b; 16; 16a, 16b) of sheath element ends (5a-5d; 15a-15d) facing each other are soldered and/or welded. A method for producing a superconducting wire is thereby provided, which restricts the cross section of the superconducting wire to a lesser extent and which permits the use of lead-free solder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Inventors: Burkhard Prause, Manfred Thoener, Andreas Szulczyk
  • Patent number: 8173901
    Abstract: A multifilament superconductor (1) has a core area (2), several superconductor filaments (7) and reinforcement filaments (6). The superconductor filaments (7) and the reinforcement filaments (6) are arranged, so that they have a regular two-dimensional matrix (5) in the cross-section of core area (2). The reinforcement filaments (6) consist of tantalum or a tantalum alloy, and the superconductor filaments (7) each have a core (8), made from a powder metallurgically produced superconductor, which is enclosed by an inner shell (9), made of a non-superconducting metal or a non-superconducting alloy. The core area (2) is enclosed by an outer shell (3), made of a non-superconducting metal or a non-superconducting alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: European Advanced Superconductor GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Manfred Thoener, Horst Ehser, Andreas Szulczyk, Alfred Auer, Vital Abaecherli