Superconductors Patents (Class 174/125.1)
  • Patent number: 7840245
    Abstract: There is provided a superconductive cable capable of absorbing an amount of contracting a superconductive wire member in cooling by a simple constitution. A superconductive cable according to the invention is a cable including a superconductive wire member constituting a superconductive layer (a conductor layer 13, a return line conductor 17) by being wound spirally, a stress relaxation layer (an inner side stress relaxation layer 12, and insulating layer/outer side stress relaxation layer 16) provided on an inner side of the superconductive layer, and a cable constituting member (a former 11) provided on an inner side of the stress relaxation layer. The cable is constituted to absorb an amount of contracting the superconductive layer in accordance with cooling the superconductive wire member by a refrigerant in a diameter direction by the stress relaxation layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masayuki Hirose
  • Patent number: 7840244
    Abstract: A superconducting cable enables the cooling of the superconducting conductor with high efficiency and has a sufficient insulating strength. A method of controlling the temperature of the coolants used in the cable is offered. The superconducting cable comprises a heat-insulated pipe that houses a cable core provided with a superconducting conductor made of a superconducting material. The cable core is also provided with a poorly heat-conductive pipe placed at the outer side of the outer circumference of the superconducting conductor. The inside and outside of the poorly heat-conductive pipe are separately filled with different types of coolants having different purposes. The poorly heat-conductive pipe is filled with a conductor-use coolant for cooling the superconducting conductor so as to maintain it at the superconducting state. The heat-insulated pipe is filled with an insulation-use coolant for performing electric insulation of the superconducting conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayuki Hirose, Ryosuke Hata
  • Patent number: 7838774
    Abstract: A low AC loss electrical conductor includes a plurality of single-filament superconducting strands longitudinally wound about one another. An insulative housing surrounds the plurality of single-filament superconducting strands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Xianrui Huang, Minfeng Xu
  • Publication number: 20100285967
    Abstract: An arrangement of a two-phase superconducting cable as a power supply cable in two-phase power distribution networks for electric railways include two phase conductors which are arranged coaxially with respect to one another and are separated from one another by an inner dielectric. A cryostat, with the superconducting cable arranged therein, has two tubes which run co-axially and at a distance from one another with vacuum insulation between them, where in addition to the superconducting cable, the cryostat surrounds a free space for a coolant to be passed through, and where an outer dielectric is fitted over the outer phase conductor of the superconducting cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventors: Rainer Soika, Mark Stemmle
  • Publication number: 20100273657
    Abstract: A superconducting article and method of fabrication are provided. The superconducting article includes a superconducting structure, which includes a superconducting conductor and multiple discrete overlay regions of higher heat capacity than the superconducting conductor. The multiple discrete overlay regions are disposed along a length of the superconducting conductor, in thermal contact with the superconducting conductor, and positioned to define a heat modulation pattern along the length of the superconducting structure. The multiple discrete overlay regions create a temperature distribution favorable to transition of the superconducting structure under load from a normal resistive state to a superconductive state by facilitating formation of a continuous superconducting path along the length of the superconducting structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: SUPERPOWER, INC.
    Inventor: Maxim MARTCHEVSKII
  • Publication number: 20100245005
    Abstract: The present invention provides a superconducting wire usable in a low magnetic field region of 2 T or lower and at a temperature of 4.2 K or lower and a connection structure and a connection method for permitting such a superconducting wire use. The present invention also provides a highly reliable device that uses a superconducting wire. A superconducting wire rod according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of superconducting metal filaments, which are embedded in a metallic matrix of a normal conductor. Each superconducting metal filament is provided with a barrier layer made of a metal that does not react with Sn at a temperature between 250° C. and 500° C. The barrier layer is preferably made of Ta, Mo, or Ta- or Mo-based alloy and 0.01 ?m to 1 ?m in thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaya TAKAHASHI, Michiya OKADA
  • Patent number: 7800000
    Abstract: The invention offers a superconducting-cable core that comprises a superconducting conductor and an insulating layer covering the outer circumference of the superconducting conductor. The superconducting-cable core is classified longitudinally into a cable portion and a jointing-structure-forming portion that is located at each end of the cable portion and that serves as the portion in which a complementary insulating structure is formed when jointed with another conducting member. Of the superconducting-cable core, the jointing-structure-forming portion is at least within the range from the end of the superconducting-cable core to the end of the complementary insulating structure. The jointing-structure-forming portion has an insulating layer whose insulation performance is higher than that of the insulating layer of the cable portion, so that even when the cable itself cannot be designed with a sufficient margin in its insulation, a highly reliable joint can be formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuichi Ashibe
  • Publication number: 20100227764
    Abstract: The invention relates to a superconductive multi-phase, fluid-cooled cable system comprising a) a cable comprising at least three electrical conductors constituting at least two electrical phases and a zero- or neutral conductor, said electrical conductors being mutually electrically insulated from each other, and b) a thermal insulation defining a central longitudinal axis and having an inner surface and surrounding the cable, said inner surface of said thermal insulation forming the radial limitation of a cooling chamber for holding a cooling fluid for cooling said electrical conductors. The invention further relates to a method of manufacturing a cable system and to its use. The object of the present invention is to provide a simplified manufacturing and installation scheme for a fluid cooled cable system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: NKT CABLES ULTERA A/S
    Inventors: Dag Willén, Chresten Traeholt, Manfred Däumling, Jerry C. Tolbert, Mark Roden, David Lindsay
  • Patent number: 7792560
    Abstract: Disclosed is a three layer process for making contact points to a high transition temperature superconductor (HTSC), particularly to (Bi,Pb)2Sr2Ca2Cu3O19+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 4.2 K is in the range of 1.5×10 (hoch?8) to 8.5? 10 (hoch?8)OHM in zero applied filed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Council of Scientific and Industrial Research
    Inventors: Shrikant Ekbote, Gursharan Kaur Padam, Narendra Kumar Arora, Mukul Sharma, Ramesh Sethi, Mrinal Kanti Banerjee
  • Patent number: 7786385
    Abstract: A superconducting cable line includes a heat insulation pipe for a fluid for transporting a fluid having a temperature lower than an ordinary temperature and a superconducting cable housed in the heat insulation pipe for a fluid. The superconducting cable including a cable core in a heat insulation pipe for a cable is housed in the heat insulation pipe for a fluid to make a temperature difference between the inside and outside of the heat insulation pipe smaller than that in a situation of laying in an atmosphere. In addition, the superconducting cable has a double heat insulation structure formed with the heat insulation pipe for a cable and the heat insulation pipe for a fluid. Therefore, the superconducting cable line can effectively reduce heat intrusion from the outside into the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Inventors: Masayuki Hirose, Yuichi Yamada
  • Patent number: 7784169
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a superconducting wire includes the step of drawing a wire formed by coating raw material powder for a superconductor with a metal, the step of first rolling a multifilamentary wire after the step of drawing, and the step of first sintering the multifilamentary wire 1 after the step of the first rolling. At least one of an interval between the step of drawing and the step of the first rolling and an interval between the step of the first rolling and the step of the first sintering is less than seven days. With this method, a superconducting wire having high and uniform performance can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Fujikami, Takeshi Kato
  • Patent number: 7786386
    Abstract: A method and apparatus provide an electrical splice between different high-voltage components in a high-voltage propelled vehicle (HVPV), which enables a daisy-chain or series connection of the components. The method includes connecting a first end of a cable to a first component, a second end of the cable to a high-voltage bus bar within a second component to form a splice, and using the outer housings of the components to provide an environmental seal and electromagnetic capability (EMC) shield for the splice, rather than providing such a splice within a dedicated or shared power distribution box. A ring terminal connects to an end of a cable by a press-fitting process or a soldering process. The components can be an energy storage system (ESS), a power inverter module (PIM), an air conditioning control module (ACCM), an auxiliary power module (APM), a power steering controller, and an electrical motor/generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Tarchinski
  • Publication number: 20100216645
    Abstract: A method for connecting two or more superconducting wires (1, 2), each comprising at least one filament (3a-3b) that contains MgB2, wherein the superconducting connection is realized through exposed end regions (13) of the filaments (3a-3d) via a superconducting matrix, is characterized in that a bulk powder (4) of a high-temperature superconductor (HTS) powder with a transition temperature of Tc>40K is provided, into which the exposed end regions (13) of the filaments (3a-3d) project, wherein the Boron of the Boron powder of the bulk powder (4) is in amorphous modification, and the bulk powder (4) is compacted together with the projecting exposed end regions (13) of the filaments (3a-3d) to form a compressed element (8). The method improves the quality, in particular, the current carrying capacity and the critical magnetic field strength of a superconducting connection of two MgB2 wires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: Bruker HTS GmbH
    Inventors: Felicitas Tenbrink, André Aubele, Volker Gluecklich, Bernd Sailer, Klaus Schlenga
  • Patent number: 7781376
    Abstract: A superconducting wire includes first and second superconducting layers disposed on one or more substrates in stacked relationship, the first superconducting layer comprising a high temperature superconducting oxide of a first composition and the second superconducting layer comprising a high temperature superconducting layer of a second composition, wherein the first and second compositions are different. The first superconductor layer optionally includes a high temperature superconductor composition selected to provide enhanced critical current (Ic(c)) in the presence of magnetic fields perpendicular to surface of the superconducting layer (H//c). The second superconductor layer optionally includes a high temperature superconductor composition selected to provide enhanced critical current (Ic) in the presence of magnetic fields parallel to surface of the superconducting layer (H//ab).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: American Superconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Kodenkandath, Wei Zhang, Yibing Huang, Xiaoping Li, Edward J. Siegal, Martin W. Rupich
  • Patent number: 7777602
    Abstract: Tape-shaped superconducting wires, and a superconducting coil formed from said wires, wherein a plurality of electrically separated superconducting film parts, each having a rectangular cross section and arranged in parallel, form parallel conductors, providing superconducting wires capable of containing losses incurred in the presence of alternating current (A/C). A superconducting coil is made by winding the superconducting wires, wherein the coil structure contains at least a part wherein perpendicular interlinkage magnetic fluxes acting among conductor elements of the parallel conductors by the distribution of magnetic fields generated by the superconducting coils cancel mutually in order to contain circulating current within the wires and to make shunt current uniform, thereby providing a low-loss A/C superconducting coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignees: International Superconductivity Technology Center, Juridical Foundation, Fuji Electric Systems Co., Ltd., Fujikura Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Funaki, Masataka Iwakuma, Takanobu Kisu, Akira Tomioka, Toshio Uede, Hiroshi Fuji, Teruo Izumi, Yuh Shiohara
  • Publication number: 20100197505
    Abstract: A multilayer superconducting wire 7 with essentially round cross sectional area where the outer surface of the round wire is provided with a high temperature superconductor layer 3 and where at least the high temperature superconductor layer 3 is fabricated as a spiral running along the length of the superconductor wire 7 in parallel lanes 15.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventors: Florian Steinmeyer, Mark Rikel, Jürgen Ehrenberg, Steffen Elschner
  • Publication number: 20100197506
    Abstract: This invention provides a tape-shaped oxide superconductor which can prevent the diffusion of elements constituting a metallic substrate into a superconducting layer and cracking of an intermediate layer and improve the orientation of the superconducting layer. A 15 to 100 nm-thick Ce—Gd—O-based oxide layer (2) (Ce:Gd=40:60 to 70:30 molar ratio) as a first intermediate layer and a 100 nm-thick Ce—Zr—O-based oxide layer (3) (Ce:Zr=50:50 molar ratio) as a second intermediate layer are formed by an MOD method on an Ni-base alloy substrate (1) having a half value width (FMHW: ??) of 6.5 degrees. A 150 nm-thick CeO2 oxide layer (4) as a third intermediate layer is further formed on the second intermediate layer by an RF sputtering method. A 1 ?m-thick YBCO superconducting layer (5) is formed by a TFA-MOD method on the intermediate layer having a three-layer structure. In the tape-shaped oxide superconductor, the ?? values of the first to third intermediate layers are (6.0 to 6.5) degrees, (6.0 to 6.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicants: SWCC SHOWA CABLE SYSTEMS CO., LTD, INTERNATIONAL SUPERCONDUCTIVITY TECHNOLOGY CENTER, THE JURIDICAL FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Yasuo Takahashi, Tsutomu Koizumi, Yuji Aoki, Atsushi Kaneko, Takayo Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 7763343
    Abstract: A superconductor for mitigating the effects of local current disruptions in a superconducting filament. The superconductor comprises superconducting filaments covered by a medium in electrical communication with the filaments. The covering medium has anisotropic conductivity, the conductivity in a direction substantially aligned with the filaments being selected to stabilize the superconductor near the critical temperature, and the conductivity of the covering in a direction substantially perpendicular to the filaments being selected to permit controlled current sharing between the filaments, especially when a filament is compromised, while simultaneously limiting alternating current (ac) losses. In various embodiments, the covering comprises a wire mesh having longitudinal wires made of a first material having a first conductivity, and transverse wires made of a second material having a second conductivity, different from the first conductivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: American Superconductor Corporation
    Inventor: Cornelis Leo Hans Thieme
  • Patent number: 7763806
    Abstract: There is provided a superconducting cable allowing a simple configuration to absorb an amount of contraction of normal conducting wire caused as it is cooled. The present superconducting cable has a superconducting layer (a superconducting conductor layer, a superconducting shield layer) and a normal conducting layer (a normal conducting conductor layer, a normal conducting shield layer) disposed at at least one of inner and outer sides of the superconducting layer. The superconducting cable has a stress relaxation layer at an inner side of the normal conducting layer, and the superconducting cable has the stress relaxation layer absorb an amount of radial contraction of the normal conducting layer caused as it is cooled by a coolant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masayuki Hirose
  • Patent number: 7760067
    Abstract: According to a first aspect the present invention relates to a fault current limiter formed by a conductor tape (11, 41, 51, 61, 71) coated with a high temperature superconductor and having at least one mounting element (12, 42, 52, 62, 72) which is essentially holding the conductor tape solely on one or more edge regions in such a way that the principal surfaces of the tape cannot get in touch with the mounting element. According to a second aspect the present invention relates to a fault current limiter formed by a conductor tape coated with a high temperature superconductor and comprising at least one mounting element (23, 24) which is contacting the conductor tape on one or on both major surfaces in an electrically conducting manner such that the conductor tape (21) in its normal conducting state is electrically shunted by the mounting element (23) in the contact region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Theva Dunnschichttechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Prusseit, Helmut Kinder
  • Publication number: 20100179063
    Abstract: A superconducting article is provided which includes a superconducting tape assembly. The superconducting tape assembly includes a superconducting tape layer, having one or more superconducting tapes, and a high-permeability magnetic material layer coupled to the superconducting tape layer. The high-permeability magnetic material layer includes a high-permeability magnetic material which remains magnetically soft at a critical temperature Tc of the superconducting tape, and with presence of an ac magnetic field acting on the superconducting tape assembly, re-magnetizes to divert at least a portion of a normal component of the ac magnetic field therethrough, which reduces ac loss in the superconducting tape layer by modifying the ac magnetic field distribution within the superconducting tape of the superconducting tape layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: SuperPower. Inc.
    Inventor: Maxim MARTCHEVSKII
  • Patent number: 7752734
    Abstract: A method for forming improved superconducting composites having improved Jc values by assembling octagonal or curved octagonal elements which when assembled allow for formation of uniformly continuously spaced voids. The voids are then filled with a metal, alloy, intermetallic substance, or ceramic oxide. The assembly of the octagonal elements and the filling of the voids is performed in a metal can. Accordingly, the flexibility in design of the present invention allows control of the performance of the superconductor and is cost effective.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Supramagnetics, Inc.
    Inventor: Leszek Motowidlo
  • Patent number: 7756557
    Abstract: An AC-tolerant high temperature superconductor tape with transposed filaments having two layers of high temperature superconducting material with striations and corresponding filaments and an insulating layer positioned therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Paul N. Barnes, Milan Polak, Chakrapani Varanasi
  • Patent number: 7748102
    Abstract: A conduction-cooled superconducting power transmission cable wherein a High-Temperature Superconducting (HTS) wire is surrounded by an inner layer of thermal insulator, one or more layers of high thermal conductivity material, such as copper, and an outer layer of thermal insulator with cryogenic coolant sources distributed along the power transmission cable and coupled to the copper layers or both the copper layers and the HTS wire. The cryogenic coolant sources can be reservoirs, a distribution system of coolant or stand alone refrigeration systems. He H2 or N2 liquid coolant can be used. A method for calculating the parameters to maintain the critical temperature of the HTS wire and a method for calculating the cool down time from ambient conditions are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Vasilios Manousiouthakis, Young I Kim, Alberto Posada
  • Patent number: 7749939
    Abstract: By adding an aromatic hydrocarbon such as benzene to the powder mixture of magnesium (Mg) or magnesium hydride (MgH2) and boron (B) as raw materials of a superconductor MgB2, high superconducting critical current density (Jc) is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignees: National Institute for Materials Science, Central Japan Railway Company
    Inventors: Hiroaki Kumakura, Hitoshi Kitaguchi, Masazumi Hirakawa, Hideyuki Yamada
  • Patent number: 7743485
    Abstract: Provided is a superconducting cable having a structure such that cable cores, each having a superconducting layer, are housed in a thermal insulation pipe and the superconducting layer of each cable core has portions having different critical current values. When an excessive current flows in the superconducting layer in case of a short-circuit failure, the current exceeds the critical current value of the portion having a smaller critical current value first, which results in damage to the portion, suppressing the occurrence of damage to the other normal portion. A superconducting cable line using this superconducting cable and a splitter for accommodating the cable cores therein is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Jun Fujikami
  • Patent number: 7745376
    Abstract: The invention provides a superconductor comprising particles made of a superconductive material, and a conductive material. The conductive material is selected to be driven to a superconductive state when in proximity to the superconductive material, and preferably at least includes bismuth. An unbroken length of the conductive material is located sufficiently close to a plurality of the particles to be driven to a superconductive state by the superconductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Nove Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew J. Holcomb
  • Patent number: 7745732
    Abstract: A wire for use in medical applications. The wire is formed by forming a bundle from a plurality of metallic strands and positioning the bundle within an outer tube. The tube and strands are then drawn down to a predetermined diameter to form a wire for use in medical devices. The wire may be covered with an insulating material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignees: Fort Wayne Metals Research Products Corporation, W.C. Heraeus GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Mark S. Michael, Hans-Juergen Wachter, Robert J. Myers
  • Publication number: 20100160169
    Abstract: A superconducting thin film material is provided, including a first superconducting thin film having a surface subjected to smoothing and a second superconducting thin film formed on the surface of the first superconducting thin film subjected to the smoothing. Further, a superconducting wire is provided, including a substrate, an intermediate layer formed on the substrate, and a superconducting layer formed on the intermediate layer, wherein the superconducting layer is made of the superconducting thin film material described above. Furthermore, a method of manufacturing the superconducting thin film material and a method of manufacturing the superconducting wire are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2006
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Shuji Hahakura, Kazuya Ohmatsu
  • Publication number: 20100160170
    Abstract: A surface polishing method for enhancing crystal orientation on the surface of a tapelike metal substrate in order to enhance the critical current of a superconducting thin film. In an oxide superconductor comprising a tapelike substrate, an intermediate layer formed on the tapelike substrate, and an oxide superconducting thin film layer formed on the intermediate layer, the method for polishing a surface to be polished of the tapelike substrate comprises a step for polishing the surface to be polished while traveling the tapelike substrate continuously, wherein an initial polishing step and a finish polishing step are included. Ultimately, the average surface roughness Ra of the polished surface is 2 nanometer or less and the in-plane orientation ?? is 5° or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: NIHON MICRO COATING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sanaki Horimoto, Takuya Nagamine, Takehiro Watanabe, Fumi Murokawa, Yuji Horie, Noriyuki Kumasaka, Masahiro Hosoi
  • Patent number: 7735212
    Abstract: A superconducting cable comprises N phases. Each phase comprises a number of superconducting phase conductors classified into N-phase groups. Each N-phase group comprises a phase conductor from each of the N different phases, where N is greater than one, and the number of N-phase groups is larger than or equal to two. Insulation is arranged in the cable around each phase conductor or between assemblies of phase conductors, so that said N-phase groups are insulated from each other. One or more of the N-phase groups or assemblies of N-phase groups is provided with a common electrically conductive screen. The N-phase groups are arranged in a number of coaxial groups comprising at least two coaxial layers and having a common axis oriented along the length of the cable. The superconducting cable has fewer cooling channels for refrigerant than phase conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: NKT Cables Ultera A/S
    Inventor: Dag Willén
  • Patent number: 7736761
    Abstract: A composite structure including a base substrate and a layer of a mixture of strontium titanate and strontium ruthenate is provided. A superconducting article can include a composite structure including an outermost layer of magnesium oxide, a buffer layer of strontium titanate or a mixture of strontium titanate and strontium ruthenate and a top-layer of a superconducting material such as YBCO upon the buffer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Los Alamos National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen R. Foltyn, Quanxi Jia, Paul N. Arendt, Haiyan Wang
  • Patent number: 7737086
    Abstract: A method is provided for producing a superconductive electrical conductor (7) in which a layer of an yttrium-barium-copper oxide (YBCO) is applied as a superconductive material onto a textured metal base directly or after prior application of a buffer layer, and is subjected to a heat treatment. To this end an interlayer of a metallic material which is compatible with the crystal structure of YBCO, or with the structure of a buffer layer suitable for the application of YBCO, is initially applied all around onto an elongate metal support (1). The support (1) provided with the interlayer is subsequently processed so that predetermined texturing is imparted to the interlayer as a metal base for the layer of YBCO material or for the buffer layer. The layer of superconductive YBCO material is then applied all around, directly onto the textured interlayer or onto the buffer layer previously applied thereon, and the heat treatment is finally carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Nexans
    Inventors: Arnaud Allais, Nat Dirk Isfort
  • Publication number: 20100144535
    Abstract: Disclosed are devices comprising multiple nanogaps having a separation of less than about 5 nm. Also disclosed are methods for fabricating these devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania
    Inventors: Douglas R. Strachan, Danvers E. Johnston, Beth S. Guiton, Peter K. Davies, Dawn A. Bonnell, Alan T. Johnson, JR.
  • Publication number: 20100137142
    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: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: Korea Electrtechnology Research Institute
    Inventors: Hong Soo Ha, Sang Soo Oh, Dong Woo Ha, Rock Kil Ko, Ho Sup Kim
  • Patent number: 7728229
    Abstract: A light-weight, aluminum core, multi-stabilized, superconducting wire. The superconducting wire has NbTi superconducting filaments embedded in a normal stabilizing copper metal matrix that encapsulates an aluminum central core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Luvata Espoo Oy
    Inventors: Taeyoung Pyon, Michael Dormody, Ben Karlemo
  • Patent number: 7723616
    Abstract: The invention offers a superconducting cable easy to form a twisted structure even when a plurality of cable cores are used and a DC transmission system incorporating the superconducting cable. A superconducting cable 1 has a structure formed by twisting together two types of cable cores (two first cores 2 and one second core 3) having different structures and then housing them in a heat-insulated pipe 7. The first cores 2 each have a first superconducting layer 2a, to be used either as an outward line or for the transmission for a pole in DC transmission, and have no superconducting layer other than the first superconducting layer 2a. The second core 3 has a second superconducting layer 3a, to be used as a return line or neutral line in DC transmission, and has no superconducting layer other than the second superconducting layer 3a. The second superconducting layer 3a has an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the first superconducting layer 2a.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masayuki Hirose
  • Patent number: 7718898
    Abstract: A precursor for manufacturing a Nb3Sn superconducting wire according to the present invention includes a mono-element wire including a Sn or Sn-based alloy core disposed at the, a Cu or Cu-based alloy matrix and a plurality of Nb or Nb-based alloy filaments surrounding the Sn or Sn-based alloy core, and a diffusion barrier layer and a stabilizing copper layer surrounding the Cu or Cu-based alloy matrix. In a final shape after a reduction process, the average diameter of the Nb or Nb-based alloy filaments is set to 5 ?m to 30 ?m, and the average distance between the Sn or Sn-based alloy core and the Nb or Nb-based alloy filaments nearest the Sn or Sn-based alloy core is set to 100 ?m or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kato, Takayuki Miyatake, Takayoshi Miyazaki, Kyoji Zaitsu
  • Patent number: 7718897
    Abstract: A low AC loss electrical conductor includes an electrically conductive core surrounded by a first layer of superconductor filaments. A resistive shell surrounds the first layer and an insulation coating radially encloses the resistive shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Xianrui Huang, Minfeng Xu
  • Patent number: 7709742
    Abstract: A superconductor cable is described, having a superconductive flexible cable core (1) , which is laid in a cryostat (2, 3, 4), in which the cable core (1) runs in the cryostat (2, 3, 4) in the form of a wave or helix at room temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Nexans
    Inventors: Arnaud Allais, Frank Schmidt, Erik Marzahn
  • Publication number: 20100099572
    Abstract: Disclosed is a superconducting power cable capable of quench detection, and a quench detection system using the superconducting power cable. The superconducting power cable capable of quench detection includes a former; a superconducting conductor layer composed of a superconducting wire and surrounding the former; a conductor layer quench detection coil interposed between the former and the superconducting conductor layer and surrounding the former; an insulating layer surrounding the superconducting conductor layer; and a shielding layer surrounding the insulating layer. This superconducting power cable may detect quench generated during its operation in real time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: LS Cable Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyun-Man Jang, Do-Woon Kim, Ji-Hwan Kim
  • Publication number: 20100099573
    Abstract: This invention provides a rare earth-type tape-shaped oxide superconductor having excellent mechanical strength and superconducting properties and a composite substrate using for the same. Non-oriented and non-magnetic Ni-9 at % W alloy tapes (11, 21) were bonded onto both sides of a non-oriented and non-magnetic hastelloy tape (100) by a normal temperature bonding process, and an Ni-3 at % W alloy tape (12) having a cubic texture was bonded onto the surface of the tape (11) by a normal temperature bonding process. Thereafter, the heat-treatment was given in a reducing atmosphere and a bonding layer (50a) etc. was formed on the adhesive interface of each layer. Next, a (Ce, Gd) O2 intermediate layer (13) and a Ce2Zr2O7 intermediate layer (14) by an MOD process, a CeO2 intermediate layer (15), a YBCO superconducting film (16) by a TFA-MOD method, and a silver stabilization layer (17) were stacked sequentially on the surface of the tape (12). A critical current value (Ic) of this superconductor showed 150 A.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventors: Yuji Aoki, Tsutomu Koizumi, Yasuo Takahashi, Atsushi Kaneko, Takayo Hasegawa, Hiroshi Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20100099570
    Abstract: Superconductor cable having a plurality of flat, tape-shaped ribbon superconductor wires assembled to form a stack having a rectangular cross section, the stack having a twist about a longitudinal axis of the stack. Multiple superconductor cables including twisted stacked-cables of the flat-tape-shaped superconductor wires, and power cable comprising the twisted flat-tape stacked cables are disclosed. Superconducting power cable disposed within and separated from an electrical insulator with a space passing cryo-coolant between the superconducting cable and insulator is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventors: Makoto Takayasu, Joseph V. Minervini, Leslie Bromberg
  • Publication number: 20100099571
    Abstract: A superconducting cable (1; 10; 30) has a channel (4, 38) for a cooling liquid, a tubular support structure (5, 37), at least two layers (2, 3; 11-15; 31, 32, 35, 36) comprising high Tc conductors (2a, 3a) which comprise a high Tc material, and an insulation (7, 17), in particular a tubular insulation (7). The conductors (3a) of the outer layer (3; 13-15; 33, 36) comprise a first high Tc material that is different from a second high Tc material of the conductors (2a) of the inner layer (2; 11-12; 32, 35), wherein the first high Tc material exhibits lower AC losses as compared the second high Tc material, and that the high Tc conductors (3a) of the outer layer (3; 13-15; 33, 36) comprise normal-conducting interruptions (41, 42, 43). The superconducting cable exhibits reduced AC losses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: Bruker HTS GmbH
    Inventor: Alexander Usoskin
  • Patent number: 7698804
    Abstract: A fully transposed composite superconductor of the Roebel bar type is produced. The superconductor is formed from combines superconductors. The process step for forming the subconductors, which are being configured with a lateral projection into a region of a neighbouring subconductor, is separated from the stranding step. Carrier strips, which are coated with the superconductive material, are used as the conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Martino Leghissa
  • Publication number: 20100093546
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are superconducting composites, and preliminary products therefor, having a core comprising a superconducting phase, a first casing surrounding the core, and having an inner area abutting the core and having a first magnesium concentration and an outer area having a second magnesium concentration greater than the first magnesium concentration, wherein the second magnesium concentration is, on average, between 5 and 40 atomic percent. Desirably, the superconducting phase comprises a MgB2 phase. This arrangement allows for methods for producing the composites that reduce or eliminate subjecting the superconducting phase to mechanical stresses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: Bruker EAS GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Schlenga, Andreas Szulczyk
  • Publication number: 20100075857
    Abstract: The invention offers a superconducting tape that maintains both high allowable tension and low splice resistance and a method of producing the superconducting tape. The superconducting tape is provided with a main-body portion and a reinforcement portion. The main-body portion has the shape of a tape and has a superconductor. The reinforcement portion is composed of precipitation-hardened-type copper alloy or alloy of tin and copper and is formed on at least one surface side of the main-body portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Naoki Ayai
  • Patent number: 7684839
    Abstract: A magnesium diboride superconducting wire has excellent conduction property and stability. The superconductive connection of the magnesium diboride superconducting wire covered with a superconducting coating layer and a same or different kind of another superconducting wire are connected in a metal tube filled with a solder by way of the superconductive coating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaya Takahashi, Yoshimichi Numata, Michiya Okada
  • Publication number: 20100062945
    Abstract: An Nb3Sn wire rod having a high Jc value is manufactured using an Ag—Sn alloy. A composite rod including a plurality of Nb core materials incorporated in an Ag—Sn alloy matrix material having an Sn concentration of 9.35 to 22.85 at % is prepared. Next, the composite rod is extruded and/or wire drawn while carrying out process annealing of 350 to 490° C., followed by heat treatment at 500 to 900° C. to produce an Nb3Sn filament. Thus, an Nb3Sn extrafine multi-core superconducting wire is manufactured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicant: The University of Tokushima
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Inoue
  • Patent number: 7674751
    Abstract: A method of making a laminated superconductor wire includes providing an assembly, where the assembly includes a substrate; a superconductor layer overlaying a surface of the substrate, the superconductor layer having a defined pattern; and a cap layer; and slitting the assembly in accordance with the defined pattern of the superconductor layer to form a sealed wire. Slitting the assembly in accordance with the defined pattern may form multiple sealed wires, and the substrate may be substantially wider than the sealed wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: American Superconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Alexis P. Malozemoff, Martin W. Rupich, Douglas C. Folts