Superconductors Patents (Class 174/125.1)
  • Publication number: 20110319271
    Abstract: A high temperature superconductor structure including: a substrate on which at least one buffer layer is deposited, a superconductor layer on the buffer layer, the superconducting layer composed of superconductor material that forms at least two substantially parallel superconductor filaments that continuously extend along the length of the substrate wherein at least two superconductor filaments are separated from each other by at least one insulating strip wherein the insulating strip continuously extends along the length of the substrate and is composed of insulating material with a resistivity greater than about 1 m?cm. Also disclosed are methods of producing high temperature superconductors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicants: SUPERPOWER, INC., UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM
    Inventors: Venkat Selvamanickam, Senthil Sambandam
  • Publication number: 20110312501
    Abstract: A coated conductor comprising an improved buffer layer architecture where the buffer layers are obtainable by chemical solution deposition and where the buffer layers essentially adopt the degree of texture of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Inventors: Joachim Bock, Jürgen Ehrenberg, Mark O. Rikel
  • Publication number: 20110294669
    Abstract: A superconductive electrical direct current cable with at least two conductors insulated relative to each other is indicated, where the cable is placed with at least two conductors insulated relative to each other, where the conductors are arranged in a cryostat suitable for guidance of the cooling agent, wherein the cryostat is composed of at least one metal pipe which is surrounded by a circumferentially closed layer with thermally insulating properties. In the cryostat is arranged a d-shaped carrier composed of insulating material, where the carrier has at least two diametrically oppositely located outwardly open grooves in each of which is arranged one of the conductors. Each conductor is composed of a plurality of superconductive elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventors: Mark Stemmle, Erik Marzahn
  • Publication number: 20110287943
    Abstract: A base for a superconducting wire, the base includes: a metal substrate; a bed layer constituted of nesosilicate and formed on the metal substrate; and an oriented layer formed on the bed layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki FUKUSHIMA
  • Publication number: 20110281734
    Abstract: Disclosed is a three layer process for making contact points to a high transition temperature superconductor (HTSC), particularly to (Bi,Pb)2 Sr2 Ca2 CU3019+x with and without silver in the superconductor. The contact structure is a three layer configuration with a perforated silver foil (3) sandwiched between two metal spray gun deposited silver layers (2,5) and subsequent heat treatment in air. The contact has been made on tubes and rods (1). The silver contacts are capable of carrying a continuous current of 200 Amps without adding any substantial heat load to the cryogen used to cool the HTSC. The contact resistance at 4.2K is in the range of 1.5×10(hoch?8) to 8.5? 10(hoch?8)OHM in zero applied filed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventors: Shrikant EKBOTE, Gursharan Kaur PADAM, Narendra Kumar ARORA, Mukul SHARMA, Ramesh SETHI, Mrinal Kanti BANERJEE
  • Publication number: 20110275521
    Abstract: A transmission system is provided with a superconductive cable having three phase conductors and a cryostat, surrounding the phase conductors, and encasing a hollow space, for conducting a cooling agent. For the three phase conductors, a common neutral conductor is provided, being made of electrically normally conducting material, carried out as insulating round conductor and placed outside the cryostat and next to it. The cryostat is made of a circumferentially enclosed, thermally insulated sheath.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventors: Mark Stemmle, Frank Schmidt, Rainer Soika, Beate West
  • Publication number: 20110269630
    Abstract: An arrangement for an electrically conducting connection of a superconductive electric cable (1) with a cable having normal conductivity at room temperature is provided, which includes a passage (D) with an electric conductor (5) surrounded by a thermal insulation (6). The conductor (1) of the superconductive cable (1) is connected to an end of the conductor (5) of the passage (D), at whose other end a cable having normal conductivity can be connected. On the end of the superconductive cable (1) intended to connect to the conductor (5) of the passage (D) electrode (4) is mounted serving the electric field control. At least in the area of the electrode (4) a cryostat is present which surrounds it, which is constructed as a circumferentially closed sheath of electrically insulating material with a vacuum free, thermal insulation. The end of the sheath facing the passage (D) is placed during the state of operation of the arrangement at high voltage potential, while the other end is connected to ground potential.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventors: Frank Schimidt, Nicolas Lallouet
  • Publication number: 20110263432
    Abstract: A tape-type superconductor (1), comprising an elongated substrate (2), in particular a metal tape, and a continuous superconducting layer (3), in particular of a HTS type material, deposited on the substrate (2), is characterized in that Ic?/Ic??1.5, with Ic? being the width density of critical current of the continuous superconducting layer (3) in parallel to the substrate (2) and in parallel to the elongated direction of the substrate (2), and with Ic? being the width density of critical current of the continuous superconducting layer (3) in parallel to the substrate (2) and perpendicular to the elongated direction of the substrate (2). The tape-type superconductor has reduced ac losses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: Bruker HTS GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Usoskin, Klaus Schlenga
  • Patent number: 8044752
    Abstract: High-current, compact, flexible conductors containing high temperature superconducting (HTS) tapes and methods for making the same are described. The HTS tapes are arranged into a stack, a plurality of stacks are arranged to form a superstructure, and the superstructure is twisted about the cable axis to obtain a HTS cable. The HTS cables of the invention can be utilized in numerous applications such as cables employed to generate magnetic fields for degaussing and high current electric power transmission or distribution applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: American Superconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander Otto, Ralph P. Mason, James F. Maguire, Jie Yuan
  • Patent number: 8039742
    Abstract: A superconductive cable capable of promoting a heat insulating function by a heat insulating tube. A heat insulating tube contained within a cable core of a superconductive cable includes a first metal tube and a second metal tube and a third metal tube arranged from an inner side in a diameter direction. An inner side heat insulating portion is formed between the first metal tube and the second metal tube, and an outer side heat insulating portion is formed on an inner side of the third metal tube and on an outer side of the inner side heat insulating portion. A heat insulating function of the heat insulating portion on an outer side is set to be lower than a heat insulating function of the heat insulating portion on an inner side thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayuki Hirose, Ryosuke Hata
  • Patent number: 8037705
    Abstract: A termination for a superconductive cable (1) is provided, consisting of a pressure-tight metal inner container (2) in which there is a liquid refrigerant and into which the cable protrudes, and a metal outer container (3) which is separated from the inner container by an intermediate space (4) in which vacuum insulation is applied. A first rupture diaphragm (6) is applied in the wall of the inner container (2) and a second rupture diaphragm (7) is applied in the wall of the outer container (3) level with the first rupture diaphragm (6). An evacuated relief space (8), which contains superinsulation and is sealed from the intermediate space (4) with the vacuum insulation by a pressure-tight wall (9), is provided between the two rupture diaphragms (6, 7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Nexans
    Inventors: Frank Schmidt, Christian Frohne, Nicolas Lallouet, Klaus Schippl
  • Patent number: 8034746
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of manufacturing round wire using superconducting tape, including the steps of: slitting superconducting tape into superconducting tape strips; silver-coating the slit superconducting tape strips; laminating the silver-coated superconducting tape strips to form a superconducting tape laminate having a square cross-section; holding the superconducting tape laminate; heat-treating the fixed superconducting tape laminate to cause diffusion junction between silver; and copper-plating the heat-treated superconducting tape laminate to have a circular section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute
    Inventors: Hong Soo Ha, Sang Soo Oh, Dong Woo Ha, Rock Kil Ko, Ho Sup Kim
  • Publication number: 20110245084
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a superconducting wire includes the following steps. A laminate metal having a first metal layer and a Ni layer formed on the first metal layer is prepared. An intermediate layer is formed on the Ni layer of the laminate metal. A superconducting layer is formed on the intermediate layer. By subjecting the laminate metal to a heat treatment after at least either of the step of forming a intermediate layer and the step of forming a superconducting layer, a nonmagnetic Ni alloy layer is formed from the laminate metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INUDSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Hajime Ota
  • Patent number: 8030246
    Abstract: Under one aspect, a laminated, spliced superconductor wire includes a superconductor joint, which includes (i) first and second superconductor wires, each wire including a substrate, a superconductor layer overlying the substrate, and a cap layer overlying the superconductor layer; and (ii) a conductive bridge, the conductive bridge including a substrate, a superconductor layer overlying the substrate, and a cap layer overlying the superconductor layer, wherein the cap layer of the conductive bridge is in electrically conductive contact with a portion of the cap layer of each of the first and second superconductor wires through an electrically conductive bonding material. The spliced wire also includes (b) a stabilizer structure surrounding at least a portion of the superconductor joint, wherein the superconductor joint is in electrical contact with the stabilizer structure; and (c) a substantially nonporous electrically conductive filler, wherein the filler substantially surrounds the superconductor joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: American Superconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander Otto, Eric R. Podtburg
  • Publication number: 20110218113
    Abstract: Provided is a substrate for superconductive film formation, which includes a metal substrate, and an oxide layer formed directly on the metal substrate, containing chromium oxide as a major component and having a thickness of 10-300 nm and an arithmetic average roughness Ra of not more than 50 nm. A method of manufacturing a substrate for superconductive film formation, which includes forming an oxide layer directly on a metal substrate, the oxide layer containing chromium oxide as a major component and having a thickness of 10-300 nm and an arithmetic average roughness Ra of not more than 50 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicants: INTERNATIONAL SUPERCONDUCTIVITY TECHNOLOGY CENTER, FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD, JAPAN FINE CERAMICS CENTER
    Inventors: Seiki Miyata, Hiroyuki Fukushima, Reiji Kuriki, Akira Ibi, Masateru Yoshizumi, Akio Kinoshita, Yutaka Yamada, Yuh Shiohara, Ryuji Yoshida, Takeharu Kato, Tsukasa Hirayama
  • Publication number: 20110218112
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a superconducting wire which is used in, for example, superconducting magnet energy storage systems. The superconducting wire includes: a wire comprising a metal substrate, a superconducting layer and a buffer interposed between the metal substrate and the superconducting layer; and a stabilizer layer plated on the wire, wherein an epoxy resin insulating layer coats the entire surface of the stabilizer layer. The superconducting wire makes it possible to reduce damage to an insulating material when forming the insulating material during the production of the superconducting wire, and it has a uniform surface and can be produced in a simple manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute
    Inventors: Hong Soo Ha, Sang Soo Oh, Seok Ho Kim, Gi Deok Shim
  • Publication number: 20110218111
    Abstract: A parallel conductor comprising a bundle of a plurality of high temperature superconducting wire materials, ends of the wire materials being electrically connected to each other, wherein each of the high temperature wire materials has at least one short-circuited portion where the wire materials are connected by means of a non-superconducting conductive material, and portions other than the short-circuited portion being covered with an insulating material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventors: Yota ICHIKI, Tsuyoshi Wakuda, Minseok Park, Masaya Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8008233
    Abstract: A coated conductor with simplified layer architecture includes a biaxial textured substrate, a template buffer layer composed of a material having the general formula RE2?xB2+xO7 with RE being at least one lanthanoid metal, B being at least one metal selected from Zr and Hf and ?0.4?x?+0.7, where the superconductor layer is obtainable by hybrid liquid phase epitaxy and can be deposited directly onto the template buffer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignees: Nexans, Cambridge Enterprise Limited
    Inventors: Dirk Isfort, Joachim Bock, Judith Louise Driscoll, Ahmed Kursumovic
  • Publication number: 20110207611
    Abstract: Provided is a superconducting cable configured to improve superconductivity by increasing reflectivity of cryostats and enhancing cooling performance. The superconducting cable includes: a core provided with a conductor; and a cryostat surrounding a periphery of the core. A material of the cryostat is aluminum or an aluminum alloy and a surface roughness of the cryostat is 30 microns or less in terms of RMS value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: LS CABLE LTD.
    Inventors: Seok Hern Jang, Su Kil Lee, Hyun Man Jang, Chang Youl Choi, Keun Tae Lee, Yang Hoon Kim
  • Patent number: 7999182
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for connecting together two abutting superconductive cables, each cable being constituted by at least a resistive conductive central support of substantially cylindrical shape, by at least one layer of superconductive material placed around the support, and by an insulating sheath surrounding said layer of superconductive material, the end of each cable being stripped to reveal the central support and said layer of superconductive material, the device being provided with an outer covering of insulating material. According to the invention, the device comprises at least one respective conductive sleeves engaged around the stripped portion of each of the cables, together with a conductive tube containing said sleeves and connected to them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Nexans
    Inventors: Nicolas Lallouet, Sébastien Delplace
  • Publication number: 20110190139
    Abstract: A method of producing a Nb3Sn superconducting wire rod includes forming a wire rod comprising Nb, Sn and Cu, and having a mole ratio of the Sn expressed as ax+b(1?x), where 0.25?x?0.8, 0.3?a?0.4 and 0.02?b?0.1, and x and 1?x are prescribed as a mole ratio of the Nb and a mole ratio of the Cu, respectively, to a total of a mole number of the Nb and a mole number of the Cu, and heating the wire rod to produce Nb3Sn from the Sn and the Nb. By the heating of the wire rod, a Cu—Sn alloy is produced from the Sn and the Cu, concurrently with the Nb3Sn produced from the Sn and the Nb.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: HITACHI CABLE, LTD.
    Inventors: Katsumi OHATA, Masahiro SEIDO, Morio KIMURA
  • Patent number: 7989702
    Abstract: The present invention offers a sealing-end structure for a superconducting cable. The structure performs, through a bushing, the outputting and inputting of electric power between a normal-temperature side and a cryogenic-temperature side, where an end portion of a superconducting cable is placed. The sealing-end structure is provided with a coolant vessel at the cryogenic-temperature side for cooling the bushing. The coolant vessel has a liquid-coolant region filled with a liquid coolant and a gaseous-coolant region filled with a gaseous coolant. The coolant vessel is provided with a contraction-absorbing portion for absorbing the contraction of the coolant vessel when it thermally contracts by the effect of the coolant. The sealing-end structure for a superconducting cable suppresses the deterioration of the sealing performance of sealing members placed at the boundary between the normal-temperature side and the cryogenic-temperature side over a long period of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuuichi Ashibe, Hideki Itoh
  • Patent number: 7985925
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a superconducting hollow cable and a method for the production thereof. The superconducting hollow cable (1) has an outer tube (2) which has a circular inner cross-section and a cylindrical inner wall (3). In addition, the superconducting hollow cable (1) has a central cooling channel (4) of a polygonal or circular cross-section that is, however, smaller than the inner cross-section of the outer tube (2). Arranged between the outer tube (2) and the cooling channel (4) are profiled superconducting wires (5). These profiled superconducting wires (5) have a cross-sectional profile which corresponds to a key stone as known for Roman stone bridges or for groin vaults. For the purpose, the cross-sectional profile has at least one outer region (7) of curvature and an inner region (8), the outer region (7) of curvature being matched to the inner radius of the outer tube (2) and the inner region (8) being matched to the cooling channel (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: GSI Helmholtzzentrum Fuer Schwerionenforschung GmbH
    Inventors: Egbert Fischer, Hamlet Khodghibagiyan, Alexander Kovalenko, Gebhard Moritz
  • Patent number: 7985714
    Abstract: A precursor for fabricating a Nb3Sn superconducting wire by an internal Sn process includes one or a plurality of stabilizing copper portions collectively disposed in the center, each stabilizing copper portion being provided with a diffusion barrier layer in the periphery thereof, and a superconducting matrix portion disposed so as to surround the one or the plurality of stabilizing copper portions, the superconducting matrix portion including a Nb or Nb-based alloy core and a Sn or Sn-based alloy core embedded in a Cu or Cu-based alloy matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kato, Takashi Hase, Kyoji Zaitsu
  • Patent number: 7979976
    Abstract: A method for arranging a superconductor cable including the step of laying the superconductive cable core into a cryostat with an overlength in comparison to the axial length of said cryostat. After laying the superconductive cable core, it is cooled to its operating temperature thereby shortening the superconductive cable core relative to the cryostat. After cooling the superconductive cable core, the shortened superconductive cable core is mechanically fixed at its two ends to the ends of the cryostat. After fixing the shortened superconductive cable core, terminations are mounted on the ends of the cable core, such that if the superconductive cable core heats up, the core deforms into a wave or helix inside the cryostat, with the length change that acts on components of the superconductor cable being negligible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Nexans
    Inventors: Rainer Soika, Arnaud Allais
  • Publication number: 20110168428
    Abstract: In one embodiment, there are produced two superconductors, in which a superconducting element wire bundle exposed from a conduit is reduced in diameter to be a polygonal shape with a metal die. The superconducting element wires reduced in diameter are covered with a conducting member and banded, and thereafter, covered portions thereof are cut to expose a cross section, inserted in a hollow portion of a hollow pipe in a manner to engage therewith, and the two superconductors are heated and joined via cross sections of the superconducting element wires reduced in diameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventors: Junichi Shibuya, Hiroshige Ogata, Takayuki Kobayashi, Mamoru Shimada, Yoshifumi Nagamoto, Koichi Oosemochi
  • Publication number: 20110160063
    Abstract: A superconducting cable system in which at least one superconducting electrical cable is arranged in a cryostat which consists of two metallic tubes, which are arranged concentrically and at a distance from one another. Vacuum insulation is fitted in the circumferential gap formed by the distance between the tubes, which vacuum insulation consists of spaces composed of a material having low thermal conductivity and plastic films coated with a metal and having high reflectivity. The gap is evacuated. In addition, thermally insulating material (9) is arranged in the gap, and its thermally insulating characteristics are independent of the vacuum which is produced between the two tubes (5, 6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventors: Rainer Soika, Dipl. -lng Klaus Schippl
  • Publication number: 20110152105
    Abstract: A superconductive cable with a central superconductive conductor (1), a surrounding dielectric (3) and a surrounding superconductive return conductor (4). The central conductor (1) is formed from a single ribbon carrying superconductive material into a tube with a longitudinal extending slot (2) with the two edges of the ribbon abutting to each other. A ribbon (14) made of semiconductive material is wound around the central conductor (1) with at least one layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventor: Frank Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7964533
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a high temperature superconductor (HTSC) from a strip including an upper side precursor layer and which, for continuous sintering of the precursor layer within a furnace in the presence of a fed-in reaction gas, is drawn across a support. A furnace for performing the method is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Zenergy Power GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Baecker
  • Publication number: 20110143945
    Abstract: A method is specified for production of a superconducting electrical conductor which has a ceramic material as the superconducting material. A metal ribbon is formed around a multiplicity of flat strips of a mount which is coated with the superconducting ceramic material, running longitudinally to form a tube having a slot which runs in the longitudinal direction, and whose edges which rest on one another on the slot are welded to one another The tube which is closed by the welding process is then reduced to a diameter which corresponds approximately to the envelopes of all the strips which are located in the tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: Rainer Soika, Dipl-Ing Frank Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20110136674
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a superconducting tape wire, wherein a reduction in critical current in the superconducting tape wire and the effective AC loss are suppressed. To manufacture the superconducting tape wire, the filaments filled with superconducting material powder and having a flat elliptic or rectangular cross section are disposed in a pipe having a shape whose sides in a pressing direction have a smaller length than adjacent sides, and then the pipe is compressed in the short-side direction to form the pipe in a tape shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: CHUBU UNIVERSITY EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION
    Inventor: Sataro Yamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20110136673
    Abstract: A precursor wire of an oxide superconducting wire includes a first sheath made of silver or silver alloy, a center portion in the first sheath, and a plurality of peripheral segments placed close to one another at the inside of the first sheath so as to surround the center portion. Each of the peripheral segments is formed as a monofilamentary segment that has an arch-shaped cross section and that includes a ribbon-shaped filament made of a precursor of an oxide superconductor and covered with a second sheath made of silver or silver alloy. The multiple peripheral segments are placed in a multilayer state in the form of concentric circles such that wide-width surfaces of the peripheral segments surround the center portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Naoki Ayai
  • Publication number: 20110136672
    Abstract: A hollow tube (1), for inserting superconductor precursor material such as superconductor precursor rods (13) into its bore (3), wherein the tube (1) extends along an axial direction, and wherein the tube (1) comprises a matrix (4) made of a first ductile material, is characterized in that a plurality of continuous filaments (5), extending along the axial direction of the tube (1), are distributed in the matrix (4), wherein the continuous filaments (5) are made of a second ductile material. With the invention, a good quality mechanical reinforcement of superconductor wires, in particular which can be used without later hot extrusion, can be achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: Bruker BioSpin AG
    Inventors: Florin Buta, René Flükiger
  • Publication number: 20110130292
    Abstract: There is provided a room-temperature superconductor that has a very simple structure and enters a state of superconductivity at room temperature. Also, there is provided a method for making the room-temperature superconductor. Further, there is provided a protonic conductor having superconductivity at room temperature. The room-temperature superconductor comprises a substance composed of graphene and a proton donor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Inventor: Yasushi Kawashima
  • Patent number: 7953466
    Abstract: A superconductive cable is provided which upon normal state, restricts flowing of electric current to a former to the maximum extent to thereby keep a cryogenic state in the superconductive cable stable. The superconductive cable includes a former surrounded by a superconductive layer and a cryostat provided at the outside of the superconductive layer, wherein the former includes a metal wire-wound part around which a plurality of wires is wound and an eddy-current prevention layer provided on the outer face of the wire-wound part, and the metal wires and the eddy-current prevention layer are made of a copper alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: LS Cable Ltd
    Inventors: Hyun-man Jang, Chang-young Lee, Choon-dong Kim
  • Publication number: 20110124508
    Abstract: A RE-type oxide superconducting wire having excellent angular dependence for magnetic field of Jc is obtained by finely dispersing magnetic flux pinning centers into a superconductor. A mixed solution which comprises a metal-organic complex solution including a metal element which composes a RE-type oxide superconductor whose Ba content is reduced and a metal-organic complex solution including at least one or more kinds of metals which are selected from Zr, Ce, Sn, or Ti which has a larger affinity for Ba is coated onto an intermediate layer of a composite substrate, and the assembly is then calcined to disperse artificially and finely oxide particles (magnetic flux pinning centers) including Zr. Thus, the angular dependence for magnetic field (Jc,min/Jc,max) of Jc can be remarkably improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicants: INTERNATIONAL SUPERCONDUCTIVITY TECHNOLOGY CENTER, THE JURIDICAL FOUNDATION, SWCC SHOWA CABLE SYSTEMS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masashi Miura, Tatsuhisa Nakanishi, Yasunori Sutoh, Teruo Izumi, Yuh Shiohara
  • Patent number: 7943852
    Abstract: A superconducting cable has a further decreased diameter, and a DC transmission system incorporates the cable. The superconducting cable has a structure in which two cable cores, each having a superconducting conductor layer and an outer superconducting layer, are twisted together and housed in a heat-insulated pipe. Each cable core has a former, superconducting conductor layer, insulating layer, outer superconducting layer, and a protecting layer in this order from the center. In unipolar transmission, the superconducting conductor layers of both cores are used as the outward line and the outer superconducting layers of both cores as the return line. In bipolar transmission, the superconducting conductor layer of one core is used for the transmission for the positive pole, the superconducting conductor layer of the other core is used for the transmission for the negative pole, and the outer superconducting layers of both cores are used as the neutral-line layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masayuki Hirose
  • Publication number: 20110111963
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a high temperature superconducting film and an apparatus for fabricating a high temperature superconducting film in a vacuum chamber through auxiliary cluster beam spraying using an evaporation method, wherein a high temperature superconducting material is deposited on a substrate in a vapor state by evaporating the high temperature superconducting material, and at the same time, a cluster beam material is formed into gas atoms by heating the cluster beam material charged in a material housing, and the formed gas atoms pass through a nozzle of an inlet of the material housing and then are sprayed and grown on the substrate in the form of the cluster beam, thereby forming pinning centers in the high temperature superconducting film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventors: Sang Soo Oh, Ho seop Kim, Kyu jung Song, Do jun Youm, Sun mi Lim, Yong hwan Jung, Sang moo Lee, Ye hyun Jung, Jae enn Yoo
  • Publication number: 20110105336
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a rare earth element oxide superconductive wire material improved in orientation by forming the bed layer by the MOD method. In the superconductive wire material (10) produced by forming a MOD-CZO layer (2), an IBS-GZO (3), an IBAD-MgO layer (4), a LMO layer (5), a PLD-CeO2 layer (6) and a PLD-GdBCO superconductive layer (8) in this order on an electropolished substrate (1) in an oxygen atmosphere, the CeO2 layer has a value of ??=4.2 degrees, which is almost the same as in the case of using a mechanically polished substrate, and the GdBCO super conductive layer has a value of Ic=243 A (Jc=up to 5 MA/cm2), which is almost the same as in the case of using a mechanically polished substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: International Superconductivity Technology Center, The Juridical Foundation
    Inventors: Yasuo TAKAHASHI, Masateru YOSHIZUMI, Teruo IZUMI
  • Patent number: 7935450
    Abstract: An energy system, in at least one embodiment, includes an energy production device for production of energy for the energy system with the aid of an working medium, a superconductor for low-loss conduction of electrical energy in the energy system, and a cooling device for cooling of the superconductor with the aid of a liquid phase of a cooling medium. The liquid phase of the cooling medium is, according to at least one embodiment of the invention, produced in the cooling device by condensation of a gaseous phase of the cooling medium, with the condensation of the gaseous phase of the cooling medium taking place by heat transfer from the gaseous phase of the cooling medium to the working medium. The overall efficiency of the energy system can improved by the heat transfer step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Walter Preidel, Bernd Wacker, Peter Van Hasselt
  • Patent number: 7928182
    Abstract: An organic composition including a) a glycerol polycarbonate of the formula: in which m is equal to at least 2, and has a value from 2 to 100; b) a glycerol of formula: in which n and p are each equal to at least 2, each having a value from 2 to 150; and c) a [(?-hydroxymethyl) oxyethylene (?-hydroxymethyl) ethylene carbonate)] copolymer of the formula: in which x is equal to at least 2 and has a value between 2 and 100, y is equal to at least 2 and has a value between 2 and 100 and q is equal to at least 2 and has a value between 2 and 100.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignees: Condat S.A., INRA (Institut National de Recherche Agronomique), INPT (Institut National Polytechnique de Toulouse)
    Inventors: Nguyen T. Dinh, Zéphirin Mouloungui, Philippe Marechal
  • Patent number: 7928321
    Abstract: An electric superconducting system having at least a superconducting apparatus, at least a current lead electrically connecting the superconducting apparatus and an electric network. An electrical conductor having at least a sheet, the electrical conductor defining a heat conducting path of predetermined length through the sheet, and having at least two surfaces mutually facing each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Pirelli & C. S.p.A.
    Inventors: Pietro Corsaro, Gianangelo Cavalleri
  • Patent number: 7910521
    Abstract: A coated conductor with simplified layer architecture includes a biaxial textured substrate, a template buffer layer composed of a material having the general formula RE2?xB2+xO7 with RE being at least one lanthanoid metal, B being at least one metal selected from Zr and Hf and ?0.4?x?+0.7, where the superconductor layer is obtainable by hybrid liquid phase epitaxy and can be deposited directly onto the template buffer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Inventors: Dirk Isfort, Joachim Bock, Judith Louise Driscoll, Ahmed Kursumovic
  • Patent number: 7902461
    Abstract: A cryogenically-cooled HTS cable is configured to be included within a utility power grid having a maximum fault current that would occur in the absence of the cryogenically-cooled HTS cable. The cryogenically-cooled HTS cable includes a continuous liquid cryogen coolant path for circulating a liquid cryogen. A continuously flexible arrangement of HTS wires has an impedance characteristic that attenuates the maximum fault current by at least 10%. The continuously flexible arrangement of HTS wires is configured to allow the cryogenically-cooled HTS cable to operate, during the occurrence of a maximum fault condition, with a maximum temperature rise within the HTS wires that is low enough to prevent the formation of gas bubbles within the liquid cryogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: American Superconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas C. Folts, James Maguire, Jie Yuan, Alexis P. Malozemoff
  • Patent number: 7902120
    Abstract: Superconductor wires or layers having improved properties and methods for making the same are described. The superconducting layer includes a rare earth element-alkaline earth element-transition metal oxide having an average stacking fault density that is greater than about 0.01 nm?1, wherein two or more rare earth cations form the rare earth element. To form the superconductor layer of the present invention, a layer having a rare earth element-alkaline earth element-transition metal oxide substantially in a first crystal structure can be provided to a substrate where two or more rare earth cations form the rare earth element. The layer can then be heated at a temperature that is greater than 550° C. under oxidizing conditions to form a high-temperature superconducting layer substantially in a second crystal structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: American Superconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Martin W. Rupich, Wei Zhang, Yibing Huang, Xiaoping Li
  • Publication number: 20110045988
    Abstract: A high-temperature superconducting ribbon conductor composite device includes a high-temperature superconducting ribbon conducing composite including a substrate ribbon, at least one buffer layer disposed above the substrate ribbon, an HTSL layer disposed above the at least one buffer layer, and a cover. A cooling layer is disposed on the high-temperature superconducting ribbon conductor composite and includes at least one of a metal and a partly conductive or non-conductive oxide layer of at least one of an alkali, an alkaline earth and a rare earth element. The cooling layer has a thickness of 20 ?m to 200 ?m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: KARLSRUHER INSTITUT FUER TECHNOLOGIE
    Inventors: Christian Schacherer, Michael Schwarz
  • Patent number: 7893006
    Abstract: Under one aspect, a method of making a superconductor wire includes providing an oxide superconductor layer overlaying a substrate; forming a substantially continuous barrier layer over the oxide superconductor layer, the barrier layer including metal; depositing a layer of metal particles over the barrier layer, said depositing including applying a liquid including metal particles over the barrier layer; and sintering the layer of metal particles to form a substantially continuous metal layer over the barrier layer. In one or more embodiments, the oxide superconductor layer is oxygen-deficient, and the method may include oxidizing the oxygen-deficient oxide superconductor layer. At least a portion of the sintering and the oxidizing may occur simultaneously, for example by performing them at an oxygen partial pressure and a temperature sufficient to both sinter the metal particles and to oxidize the oxygen-deficient oxide superconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: American Superconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Yibing Huang, Thomas Kodenkandath, Joseph Lynch, Martin W. Rupich, Wei Zhang
  • Publication number: 20110028327
    Abstract: A superconducting circuit including a superconducting joint that joints a niobium titanium superconducting wire having a structure where a filament made of niobium titanium alloy is arranged in a matrix made of copper or copper alloy and other superconducting wire, in which a volume ratio or a surface density of an ?-Ti precipitation in the niobium titanium alloy of the filament in the superconducting joint is smaller than the volume ratio or the surface density of the ?-Ti precipitation in the niobium titanium alloy of the filament in the niobium titanium superconducting wire in a portion other than the superconducting joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Motomune Kodama, Michiya Okada, Masaya Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20100317530
    Abstract: Disclosed is a superconducting wire and a method for manufacturing the same, in which spacer are inserted into each space formed between modules, the spacers being different kinds according to a shape of each space when a restacking billet is manufactured in an internal diffusion method for manufacturing a Nb3Sn superconducting wire. One of a copper spacer and a low tin/copper spacer having a sectional area rate of copper/tin more than 6.0 is arranged between three modules as well as between two modules and a diffusion preventing tube, and a high tin/copper spacer having a sectional area rate of copper/tin less than 0.01˜1.5 or a middle tin/copper spacer having a sectional area rate of copper/tin less than 1.5˜6.0 is arranged between four modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Inventors: Pyeong-Yeol Park, Kyeong-Ho Jang
  • Publication number: 20100298149
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a combination twist structure of a superconducting cable core. The present invention relates to a new type of a combination twist structure of a superconducting cable core capable of accommodating the thermal contraction of the cable core in the longitudinal direction without having a space for accommodation, thereby capable of reducing an outer diameter of the superconducting cable, and eliminating the use of an additional equipment for forming the space for accommodation. The present invention provides a combination twist structure of a superconducting cable core formed by twisting a plurality of cable cores. The cable cores are combined by repeatedly changing a twist direction of the cable cores, and the contraction of the cable cores in the longitudinal direction is accommodated by untwisting the cable cores.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventors: Do-Hyoung Kim, Choon-Dong Kim, Hyun-Man Jang, In-Son Park, Bong-Ki Ji, Nam-Yul Kim