Abstract: A superconducting magnetic energy storage system, including a superconducting persistent switch, is disclosed. The system includes a superconducting magnet connected in parallel with the persistent switch, both contained within a cryostat that is maintained at superconducting temperatures. Leads extending from the parallel connection of the magnet and switch are coupled to a power conditioning system, which in turn is coupled to a system load for which the system provides backup power. The disclosed persistent switch is fabricated as a wire having multiple superconducting strands within, and directly in contact with, an electrically conductive but non-superconducting stabilizer material. The persistent switch is normalized into a resistive state, to apply the stored energy to the load, by applying a rapid rise title current to the wire.

Abstract: A persistent switch system for protecting a large superconducting magnet coil during quench while providing the necessary different resistances needed for operation of the system in coil charging, discharging, persistent and quench modes while minimizing the heat load on the system refrigerator. The system includes a circuit having a combined persistent switch and shunt heater coil using two superconductor coils in parallel with a normal resistive thermal shunt coil thermally linked to the superconducting magnet coil. Switch superconducting coils can be driven normal to provide the switch resistance needed for efficient charging/discharging or the resistance needed to drive sufficient current through the shunt resistor coil during a quench. The quench operation uses shunt coil heating to enhance normal zone growth in the main coil, limiting the maximum quench temperatures reached.

Abstract: The device employs Hybrid Pulsed Transformer principles employing a projectile with an internal pay load. The projectile carries a light weight shorted secondary coil or coils constructed of aluminum and the projectile acts as a moving secondary through a plurality of aligned spaced apart transformer primary coils. The moving secondary coil includes a plurality of surrounding channels containing a liquid, such as water, for cooling. The cooling ability of certain liquids, as for example water, associated with change of state between liquid and gas is employed to cool the coil or coils.

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.