Abstract: In order to produce a sound post system that is easy to deploy, is position-variable and can be adjusted with little technical outlay even by less technically skilled operators, the disclosure proposes a sound post system that comprises a sound post and an adjustment tool, wherein the sound post comprises a tube that has a contact element hinged to one end of the tube and, at the other end of the tube, a screw mechanism with a support element, said screw mechanism being formed by a mating thread on the tube and a threaded component connected to said support element, wherein a further hinged contact element is disposed on the side of the support element that faces away from the tube and, by actuating the screw mechanism, the distance between said two contact elements can be varied, both the support element and the tube comprising radial holes for the introduction of torque forces, and the adjustment tool comprising a rod for inserting into a radial hole, and a handle that is connected to said rod.

Abstract: In order to produce a sound post system that is easy to deploy, is position-variable and can be adjusted with little technical outlay even by less technically skilled operators, the disclosure proposes a sound post system that comprises a sound post and an adjustment tool, wherein the sound post comprises a tube that has a contact element hinged to one end of the tube and, at the other end of the tube, a screw mechanism with a support element, said screw mechanism being formed by a mating thread on the tube and a threaded component connected to said support element, wherein a further hinged contact element is disposed on the side of the support element that faces away from the tube and, by actuating the screw mechanism, the distance between said two contact elements can be varied, both the support element and the tube comprising radial holes for the introduction of torque forces, and the adjustment tool comprising a rod for inserting into a radial hole, and a handle that is connected to said rod.

Abstract: This invention relates to an automatic or self plumbing device and method for maintaining survey or data collection or reflection equipment in a vertical plumb position despite horizontal and/or vertical changes of position of the device or vehicle with the device attached thereto. The invention also provides a means for maintaining survey or data collection or reflection equipment in a vertical plumb position and at a constant height above ground or surface to be surveyed. The invention provides a means for mounting or attaching the device to a vehicle or other mobile prime mover and a means for remotely changing the position of the device mounted on the vehicle from within the vehicle for accurate, efficient, and timely collection of data while the device and vehicle are stationary or in motion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a resistive superconducting current limiter with a meandering shape. This current limiter avoids current density peaks at the turning points (12) or corners of the conductor track (10, 11) in that the central path of the fault current when limiting occurs is artificially increased by appropriate design of the turning points. For this purpose, conductor material is removed in the region of the inner edge of the turning points (13), or the electrical bypass is reinforced at its outer edge (14).

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a resistive fault current limiter (FCL) based on thin superconducting films. The FCL comprises constrictions (2) with a reduced critical current, separated by connecting paths (3). Upon occurrence of a fault current, the former turn resistive simultaneously and build up a resistance which allows the applied voltage to drop entirely only over the constrictions. Only at a later stage, the connecting paths become resistive and dissipate energy. The thickness and width of an electrical bypass determine said normal resistivities of the constrictions and the connecting paths.

Abstract: An elongated current limiting composite material comprising one or more high-temperature superconductor filaments and a second electrically conductive member, which may include a sheath of high bulk resistivity surrounding the filament. The current limiter exhibits dissipation in the range of 0.05-0.5 V/cm at currents of 3-10 times the operating current, thereby minimizing fault currents and improving recovery capability.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a resistive fault current limiter (FCL) based on thin superconducting films. The FCL comprises constrictions (2) with a reduced critical current, separated by connecting paths (3). Upon occurrence of a fault current, the former turn resistive simultaneously and build up a resistance which allows the applied voltage to drop entirely only over the constrictions. Only at a later stage, the connecting paths become resistive and dissipate energy. The thickness and width of an electrical bypass determine said normal resistivities of the constrictions and the connecting paths.

Abstract: A superconducting conductor and its method of manufacture includes an electrical conductor having a thermal conductor attached to and along a length of superconductor member and separated from the superconductor member by an electrically-insulative material. The member may include a length of superconductor composite having superconducting material and a non-superconducting, electrically conductive matrix material. The electrical conductor is configured to control the manner in which the superconductor transitions from its superconducting state to its non-superconducting (i.e., normal) state due to, for example, a fault current condition. The electrically-insulative material has a thickness for allowing heat from the superconductor to be conveyed to the thermal conductor. The superconducting conductor may be used in conjunction with a superconducting current-limiting device.

Abstract: In a superconducting current limiter 1, in the limiting state pressure waves which may damage the superconductor are produced as a result of the evaporation of cooling liquid. According to the invention, the current limiter is not immersed in a cooling liquid, but rather is brought into thermal contact with a cooling fluid 22 which does not undergo a phase transition at over the operating temperature and therefore does not evaporate in the limiting state. A refrigeration reservoir 21, which may be the condensed phase of a gaseous cooling fluid or a cryogenic cooler, determines the operating temperature of the current limiter. One advantage is that it is now possible for a plurality of plate-like current-limiter modules 10, 10′ of unlimited size to be arranged next to one another in the cooling fluid 22.

Abstract: A superconducting conductor and its method of manufacture includes an electrical conductor having a thermal conductor attached to and along a length of superconductor member and separated from the superconductor member by an electrically-insulative material. The member may include a length of superconductor composite having superconducting material and a non-superconducting, electrically conductive matrix material. The electrical conductor is configured to control the manner in which the superconductor transitions from its superconducting state to its non-superconducting (i.e., normal) state due to, for example, a fault current condition. The electrically-insulative material has a thickness for allowing heat from the superconductor to be conveyed to the thermal conductor. The superconducting conductor may be used in conjunction with a superconducting current-limiting device.

Abstract: In a superconducting current limiter 1, in the limiting state pressure waves which may damage the superconductor are produced as a result of the evaporation of cooling liquid. According to the invention, the current limiter is not immersed in a cooling liquid, but rather is brought into thermal contact with a cooling fluid 22 which does not undergo a phase transition at over the operating temperature and therefore does not evaporate in the limiting state. A refrigeration reservoir 21, which may be the condensed phase of a gaseous cooling fluid or a cryogenic cooler, determines the operating temperature of the current limiter. One advantage is that it is now possible for a plurality of plate-like current-limiter modules 10, 10′ of unlimited size to be arranged next to one another in the cooling fluid 22.

Abstract: An apparatus in the field of power transmission, the apparatus includes a superconducting component or another component to be cooled, in a cryostat. A vacuum switch is provided in order to prevent heat being introduced into the cryostat by means of thermal conduction through the electricity cable of the component in the event of an electricity failure. This vacuum switch is integrated in a bushing in the electricity cable, so that its vacuum completes the thermal insulation of the cryostat.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a resistive superconducting current limiter with a meandering shape. This current limiter avoids current density peaks at the turning points (12) or corners of the conductor track (10, 11) in that the central path of the fault current when limiting occurs is artificially increased by appropriate design of the turning points. For this purpose, conductor material is removed in the region of the inner edge of the turning points (13), or the electrical bypass is reinforced at its outer edge (14).

Abstract: An electrically stabilized thin-film high-temperature superconductor includes a superconductive layer (32) applied over a flat metallic substrate (31) and connected to the metallic substrate (31) so that electrical contact between the superconductive layer (32) and the metallic substrate (31) is distributed over the area of the metallic substrate (31).

Abstract: On transition from the superconducting state to the normal conducting state, current limiters having a high-temperature superconductor increase their electrical resistance and thereby limit an electric current which is flowing through them. To provide electrical stabilization, the high-temperature superconductor is combined with a silver foil having a layer thickness of <50 &mgr;m to form an extensive composite conductor with good conductivity. The ratio of the layer thickness of the high-temperature superconductor to that of the silver foil should be >10. To produce this composite conductor, the silver sheet is placed on one side on a 2 mm thick MgO powder layer and, on the other side, is covered with a 600 &mgr;m thick so-called green sheet which contains a high-temperature superconductor powder and an organic binder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a high-temperature superconductor arrangement which is protected against hot spots. A contact-making layer 4 is provided between a superconductor layer 1 and an electrical bypass 2, which contact-making layer 4 has anisotropic electrical conductivity. This ensures a low contact resistance between the superconductor 1 and the bypass 2, without the admittance being increased in the main current flow direction 3. The said anisotropy is produced by discontinuities in the contact-making layer 4, for example by said contact-making layer 4 being broken down into areas 41 which are not connected to one another.

Abstract: Ceramic high-temperature superconductors (1) which are intended to be used as current limiters in alternating-current lines should have a bypass layer (2) whose electrical resistivity is increased by more than 10 times with respect to that of a pure noble-metal bypass layer. In order to achieve this, the noble-metal bypass layer (2) of the high-temperature superconductor (1), preferably of silver, is alloyed with a base metal, preferably Pb or Bi or Ga, by a thermal treatment. The ratio of the bypass layer thickness (d2) of the noble-metal bypass layer (2) to the superconductor layer thickness (d1) is adjusted to <1/5. A base-metal bypass layer (3) of steel whose electrical resistivity is in the range between 10 &mgr;&OHgr;×cm and 100 &mgr;&OHgr;×cm at 77 K is soldered on or applied under isostatic pressure over the noble-metal-containing bypass layer (2).

Abstract: In a current limiting arrangement based on a superconducting transformer (30), a load (21) can be supplied with power without any interruption by providing an auxiliary winding (14) in parallel with the superconducting primary winding (12) of the transformer (30). This auxiliary winding (14) carries the excess current in the event of a short circuit and allows the superconducting primary winding (12), which has been heated due to the current limiting, to cool down. Once the short circuit has been cleared, the latter winding can once again carry the rated current, without any losses, immediately. The auxiliary winding (14) is composed of a normally conductive material and has an additional stray impedance.

Abstract: In high-temperature superconductor arrangements having a superconductor 1 and having an electrical bypass 2, their thermal coefficients of expansion &agr;SC, &agr;BP are chosen such that the bypass applies compressive pressure to the superconductor. According to the invention, this situation occurs even when there is a considerable temperature difference &Dgr;T between the bypass and the superconductor, as can be induced by fault currents in the case of current limiters. The thermomechanical compressive pressure prevents the formation or enlargement of cracks in the superconductor. The bypass is preferably made of steel, and is soldered or bonded onto the superconductor with a force fit.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an immunoadsorbent matrix includes preparing polyvinyl alcohol beads by partially crosslinking polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with a crosslinking agent to provide polyvinyl alcohol beads which are at least partially crosslinked; coupling phenylalanine onto the polyvinyl alcohol beads to obtain a —COOH functionality for the phenylalanine coupled polyvinyl alcohol beads; and activating the —COOH functionality for immobilizing heparin onto the phenylalanine coupled polyvinyl alcohol beads.