Abstract: A superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) device including a first coil made of superconducting material, a cooling mechanism for cooling the first coil to superconducting temperatures, a second coil inductively coupled to the first coil for inputting emergy to, and/or outputting energy from, the first coil, and a switch for switching the first coil between a superconducting condition and a non-superconducting condition. The first coil is arranged as a closed loop electric circuit having no connecting device mechanically connected to it for inputting or outputting energy. The switch includes a third coil for the application or removal of a magnetic field for switching the first coil between its non-superconducting and superconducting conditions. A method inputs energy to and/or outputs energy from the first coil and a power supply system utilizes the device and method.

Abstract: A distributed air gap material for a induction device in power systems for minimizing fringe losses, mechanical losses and noise in the core The distributed air gap material occupies a selected portion of the core and is formed of a finely divided magnetic material in a matrix of a dielectric material particles. The air gap material has a zone of transition in which the permeability values vary within the air gap material.

Abstract: An element (20) for making an electric contact to another contact member (19) for enabling an electric current to flow between said element (20) and said contact member comprises a body having at least a contact surface thereof coated with a contact layer (21) to be applied against said contact member. This contact layer comprises a continuous film comprising a laminated multielement material having strong bonds, such as covalent or metallic bonds, within each atomic layer and weaker bonds, through larger bonding distance or for example as van der Waals bonds or hydrogen bonds, between at least some adjacent atomic layers thereof.

Abstract: A superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) device (1) comprising a first coil (2) made of superconducting material, cooling means (3) for cooling the first coil to superconducting temperatures, a second coil (4) inductively coupled to the first coil (2) for inputting energy to, and/or outputting energy from, the first coil (2), and switching means (5) for switching the first coil (2) between a superconducting condition and a non-superconducting condition. The first coil (2) is arranged as a closed loop electric circuit having no connecting means mechanically connected to it for inputting or outputting energy. The switching means (5) comprises a third coil for the application or removal of a magnetic field for switching the first coil (2) between its non-superconducting and superconducting conditions. The invention also relates to a method of inputting energy to and/or outputting energy from the first coil (2) and to a power supply system.

Abstract: A distributed air gap material for a induction device in power systems for minimizing fringe losses, mechanical losses and noise in the core The distributed air gap material occupies a selected portion of the core and is formed of a finely divided magnetic material in a matrix of a dielectric material particles. The air gap material has a zone of transition in which the permeability values vary within the air gap material.

Abstract: A photoconductive switch comprises a first layer (1), two contact layers (2, 3) arranged on said first layer and connectable to different potentials for applying a voltage thereacross, said first layer being adapted to be conducting upon applying a voltage across said contact layers when exposed to light from an illumination source of an energy high enough for lifting charge carriers from the valence band to the conduction band of the material of said first layer. The illumination source is an excimer lamp, in which unstable electronically excited dimers are formed when a voltage is applied across first and second electrodes (12, 13) separated by a gas or gas mixture. The dimers so formed decompose into two gas atoms while emitting a photon of an energy suitable for lifting charge carriers from the valence band to the conduction band of the material of the first layer.

Abstract: An electric switching device comprises a quick mechanical electric switch and an irradiation source and at least one switching element sensitive to irradiation and adapted to create an electrically well conducting current path by-passing the electric mechanical switch upon irradiation thereon through the irradiation source, but assuming an electrically insulating state in absence of irradiation thereon. The quick mechanical electric switch is capable of being quickly de-ionized after extinction of an electric arc created therein upon separation of the contacts of the mechanical switch.

Abstract: To provide for fast switching at high powers while relieving stress on a mechanical switch, an electric switching device comprising a mechanical electric switch and an irradiation source and at least one switching element sensitive to irradiation is adapted to create an electrically well conducting current path by-passing the mechanical switch upon irradiation of the switching element by the irradiation source. The switching element assumes an electrically insulating state in the absence of irradiation thereof. The switching element includes rectifiers adapted to be reverse biased when not irradiated and conducting as a consequence of generation of free charge carriers therein through irradiation by the irradiation source.