Abstract: A superconductive switching device includes an elongated gate which is circumferentially spirally overwound by a trigger. Both the gate and the trigger are superconductive, but the resistance of the trigger is much smaller than the normal resistance of the gate. Only a relatively small current is needed to cause the device to switch from a closed configuration where current flows through the switching device to a closed configuration where current flows to a load. Operation of the switching device is suitable for use with high frequencies and, with such frequencies, the switching device operates in a cyclical manner.

Abstract: A brushless homopolar dynamoelectric machine motor (1) has a rotor (3) with a least one winding (5) having multiple turns. The rotor is inductively charged using a flux pump or a rectifier. Solenoid pairs (15a, 15b, 17a, 17b) comprise field windings for the motor and compensate for winding and field losses. The motor is an axisymmetric motor in which superconductive materials are used.

Abstract: A superconductor motor (10) comprises a stator assembly (14) which includes a plurality of solenoids (40-44). A rotor assembly (12) includes a disk (20) of superconductive material in which are entrapped magnetic lines of flux which cause the rotor to function as a magnet. The lines of flux tend to creep throughout the disk over time thereby reducing the magnetic properties of the rotor assembly and decreasing motor performance. A plurality of coils (48a-48l) are carried by the disk. The stator solenoids are energized to produce rotation of the rotor, and the coils are energized in a predetermined manner to compensate for the flux creep in the disk and to restore the rotor assembly's magnetic properties thus to prevent deterioration in motor performance.

Abstract: Rotating gears and clutches which exhibit no contact, and which incorporate high-T.sub.c superconducting ceramic compositions. The devices can have two discs of selected proportion, coupled to each other by a controllable magnetic field, so as to transmit the desired torque in a given application. These devices are most useful in ultra-high speed rotational apparatus, where conventional devices cannot be used because of limitations in strengths of materials used for such applications.

Abstract: A lead interface for a superconducting device has a segment of normal conducting lead electrically connected to a segment of superconducting lead coiled within a dewar. The superconducting lead is adapted to be cooled to below the superconductor critical temperature by circulating a cooling fluid through an internal fluid chamber which runs the length of the superconducting coil and into an intermediate disk having an internal spiral fluid chamber. When the superconducting device is on standby, a superconducting switch is closed and the superconducting segment of the interface is left uncooled. To charge or discharge the superconducting device, the superconducting segment of the interface is cooled prior to opening the superconducting switch.

Abstract: A system, based on superconducting wires and elements, is used to rapidly generate magnetic field intensities at designated points. The apparatus consists of primary and secondary magnet windings, especially arranged so as to produce rapidly increasing magnetic fields. The primary magnet, located at a distance from the operating area, is charged prior to operation, thus producing a low magnetic field at the said area. Energy transfer to the secondary winding is initiated by induction from the primary winding, thus causing transfer to current to produce a high magnetic field in the said area. This system has many applications, including uses as reconnection-guns and electromagnetic launchers.

Abstract: A disk type magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) generator/channel and a hybrid pulse power transformer (HPPT) with a superconductive primary and a normal secondary for producing high power and high current pulses is disclosed. The HPPT surrounds the MHD channel through which hot gas is supplied. The channel upstream from the HPPT is formed into a flat circular configuration with narrow portion directed perpendicular to the channel passing through the HPPT. A MHD disk generator is positioned on the opposite side of the channel directly opposed from the HPPT. The output from the MHD is connected to the primary of the HPPT. Prior to generating power, the superconducting primary winding of the HPPT is charged to a low current. The primary is then connected to the MHD generator/channel for conditioning. When the channel is fired causing gases to flow through the channel causing the magnet current to increase producing a higher primary field and hence more power generation.

Abstract: A novel high sensitivity superconductive bolometer is presented in which the detector is kept in its superconducting state during the functional phase. Operation is based on detecting an induced fluxoid motion following a temperature rise caused by impinging infrared radiation. The superconductive-flux-motion-induced bolometer consists of a superconductive film and a pick-up film which are electrically insulated from each other. As the temperature of the current carrying film rises, fluxoid motion is triggered, sweeping through both films so that a voltage is detected in the pick-up film. The superconductive-flux-motion-induced bolometer has higher sensitivity for detection of infra-red radiation than any bolometer known heretofore.

Abstract: A device and apparatus, consisting of a standard barrel, a superconductive magnet winding wrapped around the barrel, a large mass piston and a projectile. This device is a direct-current powered hybrid coil gun which operates to accelerate projectiles to high velocity without the requirement of gigawatt power pulses. The device also lowers the cost of power required per shot and makes possible extended life of the individual parts of the apparatus.

Abstract: A pulsed transformer having a superconducting primary winding and a normal conducting secondary winding. The secondary winding is connected across a load. One side of the secondary winding has a switch in series to the load. A high energy storage inductor is connected in parallel across the switch. With the switch closed and the primary winding and storage inductor charged to their maximum capacity, a high level of current now flows through the switch. The primary is then caused to go into its normal conducting mode collapsing the primary field which induces current into the secondary winding. As the secondary winding current increases the high level of current normally flowing through the switch decreases to substantially zero. When the switch current reaches substantially zero, the switch can be opened without damage thereto releasing the high energy from the storage inductor into the load. The switch primary winding can be constructed from a high temperature superconductor for improved performance.

Abstract: A rail gun utilizing a combination of chemical energy for propelling a piston and a projectile. The piston movement creates electromagnetic energy in rails which further increases the velocity of the projectile as it leaves the gun barrel. In operation, propellants are introduced into the gun and ignited. High pressure gas produced from the combustion accelerates the piston and the projectile along the rails. An external field normal to the piston is applied from a dipole magnet wound around the gun bore. The piston movement induces emf thus charging the rails which act as an inductor. The current flowing in the rails further increases the velocity of the projectile along the barrel to its final exit velocity.

Abstract: A pulsed transformer utilizing the transition of the primary winding from a superconducting state to a normal state to increase the efficiency of energy transfer to the secondary winding thereof and hence to a load across the secondary winding. The primary winding is constructed as a composite which has minimal resistance when in a superconductive state and significantly higher resistance when in a normal or critical state.

Abstract: The invention is directed to electromagnets for producing a high uniformity magnetic field or shielding a magnetic field by the use of passive compensation coils in the form of rings of superconductive material positioned perpendicularly adjacent to the electromagnet windings. Current induced into the rings of superconducting magnetic material establishing magnetic fields perpendicular to the electromagnetic magnetic field, thereby, depending on this size and quantity of the rings a highly uniform magnetic field or the cancelling of the magnetic field from the electromagnet adjacent to the surface of the rings remote from the electromagnet field occurs. High temeprature superconducting material can be used for the rings which lead to high temperature operation.

Abstract: Means for increasing heat transfer characteristics between the surface of a solid and a boiling liquid in which the solid is immersed comprising providing a solid with passages which extend therethrough to the surface for the circulation of liquid through said passages for emergence from the surface to eliminate at least a portion of the unstable vapor film otherwise formed on the surface.

Abstract: A method and means for optimizing current leads carrying varying current in super-conducting systems comprising the steps of adjusting the room temperature point of the lead to vary the length of the lead below the room temperature point inversely to the change in the current carried by the lead.