Abstract: The object of the present invention is to prevent an increase in cost even when solar power generation is utilized.

Abstract: The power plant according to the present invention improves the efficiency of conversion from thermal energy to electrical energy, and is provided with a first thermoelectric conversion element that generates electric power by using a difference in temperature between a temperature inside a boiler combustion chamber and a temperature of water supplied to the boiler from a feed water heater, and a second thermoelectric conversion element installed on the feed water heater that generates electric power by using a difference in temperature between a temperature of steam supplied from a turbine and the temperature of water supplied from a condenser.

Abstract: A superconducting system having a coil or cable in the form of strands at superconducting temperature is connected to a power supply at room temperature. The connection is by means of a stranded current lead substantially under regular conducting conditions. Each current lead strand is insulated and connected to a corresponding superconducting strand so as to supply current and to contribute an individual series resistance. The temperature-sensitive resistance provides an important current self-limiting mechanism to forestall current imbalance or channeling among the superconducting strands and therefore forestall premature quenching. Various embodiments are directed to regulating the current in the individual superconducting strands, including regulating the resistance in the individual current lead strands with careful temperature control as well as improving the overall superconducting system with optimized cooling.

Abstract: A superconducting coil protective system comprising a protective resistor connected in parallel to a superconducting coil for dissipating the energy stored on the superconducting coil and a normally-closed power switch for interrupting an electric current flowing from the power source to the superconducting coil in response to a quenching signal from the quenching detector. A fuse circuit, which includes a serially-connected fuse and a closure switch, is connected in parallel to the power switch. The protective system may comprise a current interrupting circuit connected in parallel to the superconducting coil and the protective resistor and a commutation switch connected in series with the protective resistor and the current interrupting circuit for allowing a commutation of a current from the superconducting coil to the current interrupting circuit in response to the quenching signal. In this case, the fuse circuit is connected in parallel to the protective resistor.

Abstract: A method for calculating a physical flow quantity of a fluid or magnetofluid propagating over a surface such as in a wind tunnel. The method includes the steps of setting a main mesh having predetermined mesh spacing relative to space and time. The method sets a sub-mesh having a mesh spacing smaller than that of the main mesh in space regions between points in the main mesh, in which the magnitude of inclination of the physical quantity is above a first preset level. Next, the method sets mesh points, at which the magnitude of inclination of the physical quantity is greater than a second level that is greater than the first level, as singular points. Thereafter, the method calculates, via a CIP method, the values at the mesh points of the main mesh after an increment of time (a mesh spacing of the main mesh over the time variable). The values at the mesh points of the sub-mesh after the increment of time are also calculated via the CIP method.

Abstract: A superconducting coil protective system comprises a quenching detector (QD) for detecting occurrence of a quenching in a superconducting coil (L) and generating a quenching signal indicative of the occurrence of the quenching. In response to the quenching signal, a voltage controller (VC) reduces an output voltage from a power source (PS) to zero or to a negative polarity. A current interrupter (CI) including a circuit breaker (CB) or a fuse (F) is connected in parallel to the superconducting coil (L) for allowing a first commutation of a current from the superconducting coil (L) to the current interrupter (CI) upon the reduction of the output voltage from the power source (PS). The system also comprises a protective resistor (RD) connected in parallel to the current interrupter (CI) for allowing a second commutation of the first-commutated current thereto upon the opening of the current interrupter (CI), whereby energy of the second-commutated current is dissipated in the protective resistor.

Abstract: This invention relates to a power source for a nuclear fusion reactor for flowing a current to a load coil (e.g., a toroidal coil) provided in the nuclear fusion reactor such as a reversed field pinch apparatus comprising a bias power supply for supplying a current of a first direction to the load coil, and a reversed magnetic field power supply for supplying a current of a second direction reverse to the first direction to the load coil and having a circuit for holding the reverse current for a predetermined period of time, said bias power supply including a series circuit of a capacitor, a unidirectional element having a switching function and an inductor and connected in parallel with the load coil, thereby removing a clover element from the bias power supply.More particularly, according to this invention, when a current is flowed from the reversed magnetic power supply to the load coil, a current from the reversed magnetic power supply to the inductor in the bias power supply is stopped.

Abstract: In the protection system for a capacitor bank, a resistor is connected in series between a connection cable for connecting capacitor unit groups in parallel with one another and a short-circuit device provided for each capacitor unit group, by which a first short-circuit current flowing into a damaged capacitor unit from the other capacitor unit groups in a case of a short-circuit fault in the capacitor unit can be reduced and bypassed in safety, and, consequently, secondary accidents such as a fire followed by the short-circuit fault in the capacity unit can be prevented effectively.

Abstract: A double swing power unit for use in a plasma nuclear fusion experimental system comprising a bias bank, a bias switch provided by a semiconductor switch element having a rectifying function, a decoupling inductor, and a load coil connected in series, a series connection of a reverse switch and a reverse bank and a series connection of a hold switch and a hold bank, both thereof being connected in parallel with the load coil, and a control switch connected in parallel with the bias switch.

Abstract: This invention provides a high power closing switch having a fast operating speed in the bypass of a main circuit switch for reducing the load share of the main circuit switch provided between a load coil and a power source circuit provided in a nuclear fusion reactor to simplify the construction of the main circuit switch formed heretofore of a number of parallel switches to reduce the value of the resistor of a clover circuit, thereby reducing the discharge current of the capacitor of the power source circuit.

Abstract: A zero-current arc-suppression circuit breaker arrangement having a series circuit including a capacitor power source previously charged and a switch connected in parallel with a series circuit formed of a circuit breaker and a diode. Upon operation, the capacitor power source provides a reverse current for reducing the current flowing to the circuit breaker to a zero-current level and the diode maintains the circuit breaker current at the zero-current level for a predetermined period of time. When the contacts of the circuit breaker are separated during this period, no arc plasma is generated to protect the circuit breaker from damage.