Superconductor Protective Circuits Patents (Class 361/19)
  • Patent number: 11972320
    Abstract: A quantum device includes a cryogenic chamber and a quantum computing module positioned within the cryogenic chamber. The quantum computing module includes a silicon substrate and a quantum circuit (QC) die including a qubit integrated circuit. The QC die is attached to the silicon substrate. An electronic circuit (EC) die including an electronic integrated circuit is attached to the QC die such that the qubit integrated circuit and the electronic integrated circuit face each other. The QC die can be fusion bonded to the EC die. A circuit board (CB) includes a power converter configured to convert input power received from a cryogenic chamber feedthrough to output power that is coupled to the QC die and to the EC die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Psiquantum, Corp.
    Inventor: Albert Wang
  • Patent number: 11855438
    Abstract: A multi-circuit DC breaking system is proposed. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present technique, there may be an advantage that by combining current-limiting technology and multi-circuit breaking technology, a failure may be quickly detected, a magnitude of a fault current may be firstly limited, and a breaking operation is performed, in a range of various fault currents, by distributing the fault currents to some circuits of multi-circuits configured in parallel, thereby easily increasing the capacity thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: GREEN ENERGY INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Hyenjun Choi, Jihoon Park, Hyewon Choi, Insung Jeong
  • Patent number: 11793090
    Abstract: An electronic component having an asymmetric impedance is provided. The component includes first, second and third branches that connect at a common node. The component includes a first portion of superconducting material disposed along the first branch and a second portion of superconducting material disposed along the second branch. The component includes a first device disposed along the first branch and configured to transition the second portion of the superconducting material to a non-superconducting state when a current between a first terminal of the first device and a second terminal of the first device exceeds a first threshold value and a second device disposed along the second branch and configured to transition the first portion of the superconducting material to a non-superconducting state when a current between a first terminal of the second device and a second terminal of the second device exceeds a second threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: PSIQUANTUM CORP.
    Inventor: Faraz Najafi
  • Patent number: 11190010
    Abstract: Provided are a method and apparatus for calculating fault resistance and a current-limiting current of a superconducting fault current limiter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignees: Guangdong Power Grid Co. Ltd., China Electric Power Research Institute of Guangdong Power Grid Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Lianhong Zhong, Xinhui Duan, Meng Song, Chao Sheng, Bing Zhao, Li Li, Yunsong Luo, Yajun Xia, Wenfeng Cheng, Zhengjun Shi, Xiaoqing Xiao, Youxin Lin
  • Patent number: 11171479
    Abstract: A superconducting magnet device including a superconducting coil formed of a high-temperature superconducting wire, a power supply which supplies current to the superconducting coil, and a protector capable of forming a short-circuit path which short-circuits both ends of the superconducting coil to each other is installed. Current is made to flow from the power supply to the superconducting coil in a superconducting state, and the superconducting coil thereby generates a magnetic field. After the magnetic field is generated, when an abnormality of the superconducting magnet device is detected, or when the power supply and the superconducting coil are disconnected from each other, the short-circuit path is formed by the protector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignees: RIKEN, NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR MATERIALS SCIENCE
    Inventors: Masato Takahashi, Hideaki Maeda, Kenjiro Hashi, Gen Nishijima, Shinji Matsumoto, Takashi Noguchi, Tadashi Shimizu
  • Patent number: 11018501
    Abstract: A directional overcurrent relay using a superconducting fault current limiter voltage as a relay element includes: a current measuring circuit measuring a current of a line connected from a system power source to a load, a voltage measuring circuit measuring a voltage at both ends of a superconducting fault current limiter connected to the line, and a correcting circuit correcting a tripping time Ttrip by using a fault current If that is the current of the line and a superconducting fault current limiter voltage VSFCL that is the voltage at both ends of the superconducting fault current limiter and the tripping time Ttrip is maintained consistently regardless of whether the superconducting fault current limiter operates or not.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Foundation of Soongsil University-Industry Cooperation
    Inventors: Sung Hun Lim, Seung Taek Lim
  • Patent number: 10971926
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling and monitoring the lifetime of a superconducting fault current limiter. The apparatus may include a processor; and a memory unit coupled to the processor, including a lifetime routine, where the lifetime routine is operative on the processor to monitor the superconducting fault current limiter. The lifetime routine may include a lifetime estimation processor to receive a set of fault information for a fault event of a superconductor tape of the superconducting fault current limiter, determine a present state of the superconductor tape based upon the set of fault information, and determine an estimated lifetime of the superconductor tape based upon the present state. The present state may be determined from additional information such as fault history on the superconducting fault current limiter, as well as a database of superconductor tape behavior with respect to various faults.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Saeed Jazebi, John Evans
  • Patent number: 10897235
    Abstract: A system includes a first superconducting wire and a second superconducting wire connected in parallel. The system includes a first current source coupled to the first superconducting wire and configured to supply a first current in response to a trigger event. The system includes a second current source coupled in series with the parallel combination of the first superconducting wire and the second superconducting wire and configured to supply a second current. The superconducting wires are configured to, while receiving the second current, operate in a superconducting state in the absence of the first current. The first superconducting wire is configured to, while receiving the second current, transition to a non-superconducting state in response to the first current. The second superconducting wire is configured to, while receiving the second current, transition to a non-superconducting state in response to the first superconducting wire transitioning to the non-superconducting state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: PSIQUANTUM CORP.
    Inventors: Faraz Najafi, Syrus Ziai, Qiaodan Jin Stone
  • Patent number: 10897129
    Abstract: Disclosed a quench protection device of a superconducting magnet system, including a superconducting coil set; the superconducting coil set comprises two superconducting coils (5) which are symmetrical arranged, and each of the two superconducting coils (5) is connected in parallel with a protection diode (4); the superconducting coils and the protection diode are connected with the power supply via a conductive wire; the superconducting coils set are connected in parallel with a quench protection unit (6), a change-over switch (3) is arranged on a circuit of the two superconducting coils, the protection diode, and the power supply, and the change-over switch (3) is connected with an external resistor via a conductive wire (2). The change-over switch of the quench protection device connects the superconducting coil and an external resistance, which realizes the quench protection of the superconducting coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: HEFEI CAS ION MEDICAL AND TECHNICAL DEVICES CO., LTD
    Inventors: Yuntao Song, Chunlong Zou, Kaizhong Ding, Yanfang Bi, Xufeng Liu, Rui Hu, Zhengwen Xu, Hansheng Feng, Yonghua Chen, Gen Chen, Qingxi Yang, Junjun Li
  • Patent number: 10468876
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure include a fault current limiter (FCL) providing symmetrical electrostatic shielding. In some embodiments, a FCL includes a superconductor maintained at a first voltage greater than zero voltage, and an enclosure containing the superconductor, the enclosure maintained at a second voltage greater than zero voltage, wherein the second voltage is different from the first voltage. The FCL may include an electrical connection directly coupling the superconductor and the enclosure, wherein the electrical connection enables each of a plurality of current limiting modules of the superconductor to receive, during a fault condition, an equal or unequal sub-portion of a total voltage drop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: VARIAN SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT ASSOCIATES, INC.
    Inventors: Piotr Lubicki, Saeed Jazebi, David Morrell, George Emmanuel, Paul Murphy
  • Patent number: 10418169
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an inductance element that includes a base body, a saturable magnetic thin-plate core provided on the base body, and a coil conductor wound around the saturable magnetic thin-plate core. The saturable magnetic thin-plate core includes a first section linearly extending in a first direction and a second section having a meander-shaped, and the coil conductor is wound around the first section of the saturable magnetic thin-plate core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takahiro Hamamura, Takashi Osada
  • Patent number: 10396733
    Abstract: The various embodiments described herein include methods, devices, and systems for fabricating and operating superconducting circuitry. In one aspect, an electronic system includes: (1) a first circuit that includes a plurality of superconducting wires connected in parallel with one another, the plurality of superconducting wires including: (a) a first superconducting wire with a corresponding first threshold superconducting current; and (b) a second superconducting wire; (2) a second circuit connected in parallel to the first circuit; (3) a first current source coupled to the first superconducting wire and configured to selectively supply a first current; and (4) a second current source coupled to a combination of the first circuit and the second circuit and configured to supply a second current such that the plurality of superconducting wires operate in a superconducting state; where a combination of the first current and the second current exceeds the first threshold superconducting current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: PSIQUANTUM CORP.
    Inventors: Faraz Najafi, Syrus Ziai, Qiaodan Jin Stone
  • Patent number: 10373750
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus of generating momentum which drives an object. The present invention provides a momentum generating apparatus in which a pair of high temperature superconducting coils which are wound in different directions and have different superconducting properties are arranged in parallel and the same current flows in the pair of coils to be in a stable state where magnetic fields generated in the coils are cancelled and an asymmetric current is suddenly applied to the pair of coils through a switching operation to generate a magnetic field and an eddy current is induced in a plate due to the generated magnetic field and the plate is floated using a repulsive force between the magnetic field generated in the plate due to the eddy current and the magnetic field generated in the pair of coils, to instantaneously generate force using a small amount of superconducting coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: INDUSTRY-ACADEMIC COOPERATION FOUNDATION, YONSEI UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Tae Kuk Ko, Ji Ho Lee, Woo Seung Lee, Hyung Jun Kim, Seok Ho Nam, Young Gun Park, Jin Sub Kim
  • Patent number: 10270241
    Abstract: A fault current limiter may include a current limiting leg to transmit a first current and a control leg in parallel with the current limiting leg, the control leg to transmit a second current. The control leg may include a plurality of power electronic modules arranged in electrical series with one another, and a bypass power electronic module arranged in electrical series with the plurality of power electronic modules. The control leg may further include a plurality of current monitors arranged electrically in series with the plurality of power electronic modules and the bypass power electronic module, and at least one triggering circuit, wherein the plurality of current monitors is electrically coupled to the at least one triggering circuit, and wherein the at least one triggering circuit is coupled to at least one of: the plurality of power electronic modules, and the bypass power electronic module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: VARIAN SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT ASSOCIATES, INC.
    Inventor: Adrian Wilson
  • Patent number: 10270356
    Abstract: A power converter includes an outer housing formed of dielectric material and including a low voltage compartment and a high voltage compartment is disclosed. The power converter also includes a low voltage DC-to-AC converter disposed in the low voltage compartment, a first coil in the low voltage compartment, a first conductive shield element lining an outer wall of the low voltage compartment, the first conductive shield element being electrically coupled to an electrical input of the DC-to-AC converter and a second conductive shield element lining an outer wall of the high voltage compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventors: Boris S. Jacobson, Evgeny N. Holmansky, Lev Volfson
  • Patent number: 10218175
    Abstract: A system architecture and method for enabling hierarchical intelligent control with appropriate-speed communication and coordination of control using intelligent distributed impedance/voltage injection modules, local intelligence centers, other actuator devices and miscellaneous FACTS coupled actuator devices is disclosed. Information transfer to a supervisory utility control is enabled for responding to integral power system disturbances, system modelling and optimization. By extending the control and communication capability to the edge of the HV power grid, control of the distribution network through FACTS based Demand response units is also enabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Smart Wires Inc.
    Inventors: Haroon Inam, Frank Kreikebaum, Debrup Das, Amrit Iyer, Aaron Zhao
  • Patent number: 10133242
    Abstract: A method for transmitting electrical energy is proposed in which between two electrical units electrical current is transmitted by means of a superconductive cable system (4). The two ends of the superconductive cable system (4) are each connected in a current conducting manner to one of the electrical units. A normally conductive cable system. (5) is arranged parallel to the superconductive cable system (4). The function of the superconductive cable system (4) is monitored by a control unit (10). During normal operation. only one end of the normally conductive cable system (5) is connected in a voltage conducting manner to one of the electrical units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: NEXANS
    Inventors: Mark Stemmle, Beate West
  • Patent number: 9912148
    Abstract: A current limiter system includes a superconducting fault current limiter (SCFCL) operative to conduct load current during a normal operation state in which the SCFCL is in a superconducting state. The current limiter system also includes a shunt reactor connected in an electrically parallel fashion to the SCFCL and configured to conduct less current than the SCFL in the normal operation state, and a protection switch connected in electrical series with the SCFCL and shunt reactor and configured to disconnect the SCFCL for a predetermined time from a load current path during a fault condition after fault current exceeds a threshold current value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Kasegn D. Tekletsadik, Charles L. Stanley
  • Patent number: 9647450
    Abstract: This specification relates to fault current limiter (FCL). More particularly, to solve problems of protecting and designing current limiting impedance in a protective coordination system, as limitations of the related art, the fault current limiter may measure heat capacity of a current limiting impedance unit by detecting fault current flowing to the current limiting impedance unit and limiting the fault current flowing to the current limiting impedance unit according to the measured heat capacity, which may result in preventing the current limiting impedance unit from being damaged due to the fault current, preventing an extended accident due to the damaged current limiting impedance unit and enabling a stabilized system and line protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: LSIS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seung Hyun Bang, Won Joon Choe, Min Jee Kim, Kil Young Ahn
  • Patent number: 9543754
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method for protecting a superconducting coil, which method prevents damage to the superconducting coil caused by a quench or the like, in a new way, without using a voltage (a change in voltage) generated in the superconducting coil. Provided is the method for protecting a superconducting coil made by winding tape-like superconducting wire having a superconducting layer. Power from a power supply is shut off based on the magnitude of a screening field, which is a difference between a measured magnetic field B in a direction of a thickness of the superconducting wire at a predetermined position, and a magnetic field Bcal in the direction of the thickness of the superconducting wire calculated disregarding an effect of screening current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignees: National Institute for Materials Science, Japan Superconductor Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Davide Uglietti, Tsukasa Kiyoshi, Shinji Matsumoto, Mamoru Hamada
  • Patent number: 9397546
    Abstract: A field rotor of a superconducting rotary machine, includes a rotary shaft, a plurality of coil boxes, and a plurality of superconducting coils. The coil boxes extend in a center axis direction of the rotary shaft, have walls defining spaces within the coil boxes, respectively, and are removably fastened to a peripheral surface of the rotary shaft. The superconducting coils are disposed in the spaces of the coil boxes, respectively, and constitute field windings of the superconducting rotary machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Katsuya Umemoto, Yoshichika Sato, Satoru Takao
  • Patent number: 9331476
    Abstract: A solid-state fault current limiter including a current splitting reactor, comprising a system current input, a passive current output and a control current output. A voltage control reactor includes a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the control current output and the second end coupled to the passive current output. A fault current trigger circuit coupled in parallel with the voltage control reactor and configured to open when a fault current, received by the system current input, exceeds a predefined trigger current. A transient voltage control circuit coupled in parallel with the voltage control reactor to receive the fault current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Kasegn D. Tekletsadik, Charles L. Stanley, Semaan Fersan, Piotr Lubicki
  • Patent number: 9230731
    Abstract: A three-phase current limiter (30) for an alternating current system includes an AC magnetic circuit having at least one AC coil (35R1, 35S1, 35T1) for each phase of a 3-phase AC supply wound on a saturable ferromagnetic core and configured to subject respective AC coils for each phase to a common magnetic flux, and a DC magnetic circuit (34a, 34b) for biasing the AC magnetic circuit into saturation at normal conditions. In use the AC coils are connected in series with a load and during alternate half cycles of the AC supply at least one of the AC coils produces a magnetic field that opposes a magnetic field of the DC magnetic circuit. The AC coils (35R, 35S, 35T) for each phase are configured so that at least one of the AC coils exhibits unbalanced magnetic impedance relative to remaining ones of the AC coils for each phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignees: BAR ILAN Research & Development Company, RICOR Cryogenic & Vacuum Systems Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Shuki Wolfus, Yossef Yeshurun, Alexander Friedman, Vladimir Rozenshtein, Zvi Bar-Haim
  • Patent number: 8988176
    Abstract: A superconducting magnet device is configured to include: a refrigerant circulation flowpath in which a refrigerant (R) circulates; a refrigerator for cooling vapor of the refrigerant (R) in the refrigerant circulation flowpath; a superconducting coil cooled by the circulating refrigerant (R); a protective resistor thermally contacting the superconducting coil and having an internal space (S); a high-boiling-point refrigerant supply section for supplying a high-boiling-point refrigerant having a higher boiling point than the refrigerant (R) and frozen by the refrigerant (R) to the internal space (S) in the protective resistor; and a vacuum insulating container for at least accommodating the refrigerant circulation flowpath, the superconducting coil, and the protective resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Manabu Aoki, Ryuya Ando, Yukihiro Murata, Ryoji Nakagawa
  • Publication number: 20150045231
    Abstract: There is described herein a superconducting segment and method of making same comprising one or several layers with very high electrical resistivity, acting as a current flow diverter when the current transfers from the superconductor to the stabilizer. The purpose of this current flow diverter is: i) to increase the contact resistance between the superconductor and the stabilizer, by reducing the contact area, and ii) to force the current to flow along a specific path, so as to increase momentarily the current density in a specific portion of the stabilizer. The consequence of i) and ii) is that heat generated at the extremities of the normal zone is increased and spread over a longer length along the superconducting segment, which increases the NZPV and thus, the uniformity of the quench.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Christian Lacroix, Frederic Sirois, Michael Robert Wertheimer
  • Publication number: 20150031548
    Abstract: A superconducting element (1) has a metallic substrate (2), an insulating layer (3), a superconductor layer (5) and a metallic protective layer (6), wherein the insulating layer (3) is arranged between the substrate (2) and the superconductor layer (5). In cross-section of the superconducting element (1), the insulating layer (3) extends at both ends past the area (BSL) of the substrate (2) covered by the superconductor layer (5) to galvanically separate the superconductor layer (5) and the metallic protective layer (6) from the substrate (2). The thickness D of the insulating layer (3) is selected in such a fashion that the superconducting element (1) has a transverse breakdown voltage between the metallic substrate (2) and both the superconductor layer (5) as well as the metallic protective layer (6) of at least 25 V. The superconducting element has a reduced risk of being damaged in case of a quench.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventor: Alexander Usoskin
  • Publication number: 20140357490
    Abstract: A fault current limiter system including a fault current limiter and a variable shunt current splitting device. The current splitting device includes first and second conductive windings, wherein the first conductive winding is connected in parallel with the fault current limiter and is configured to carry current in a first direction. The second conductive winding is electrically connected in series with the fault current limiter and is configured to carry current in a second direction opposite to the first direction so that the reactance of the first winding is negated by the reactance of the second winding during steady state operation of the fault current limiter system. Thus, a first portion of a steady state current is conveyed through the fault current limiter and a second portion of the current is conveyed through the current splitting device. The steady state current load on the fault current limiter is thereby reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventor: Kasegn D. Takletsadik
  • Publication number: 20140357496
    Abstract: A superconducting device (1) has an elongated coated conductor (2), with a substrate (3) and a quenchable superconducting film (4), wherein the elongated coated conductor (2) has a width W, and an external shunt system (5), with bridge contacts (6; 6a, 6b), electrically connected to the superconducting film (4), and a resistive member (7), thermally insulated from the coated conductor (2) and electrically connected to the bridge contacts (6; 6a, 6b). The device is is characterized in that the bridge contacts (6; 6a, 6b) along the elongated coated conductor (2) have a spacing SP with SP?8*W. The device reduces the risk of a burnout of a superconducting device in case of a quench in its superconducting film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventor: Alexander Usoskin
  • Patent number: 8891209
    Abstract: A high voltage direct current (HVDC) hybrid circuit breaker is provided. The circuit breaker includes a solid-state main breaker, a mechanical fast disconnector and a solid-state auxiliary breaker connected in series, the series-connection of the disconnector and the auxiliary breaker being connected in parallel to the main breaker, a snubber circuit including a capacitor, and a switching device being arranged for disconnecting the snubber capacitor in response to the auxiliary breaker being opened. By disconnecting the snubber capacitor, an uncontrolled discharging of the capacitor through the disconnector and the main breaker, and the resulting non-zero current flowing through the disconnector during the breaking action, may be avoided. Further, a method of an HVDC hybrid circuit breaker is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Jürgen Häfner, Arman Hassanpoor
  • Patent number: 8886267
    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: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: American Superconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas C. Folts, James Maguire, Jie Yuan, Alexis P. Malozemoff
  • Patent number: 8880134
    Abstract: This invention relates to a superconductor device, comprising: a superconductor; a former which supports the superconductor; and, an intermediate electrical connector attached to the former for coupling the superconductor to a power source, wherein the intermediate electrical connector is connected to the superconductor via a deformable portion in the intermediate electrical connector, wherein the deformable portion allows relative movement between the superconductor and former.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventors: Stephen M. Husband, Alexander C. Smith, Nigel Schofield, Andrew Oliver
  • Patent number: 8873205
    Abstract: This invention relates to a current limiter comprising a first circuit portion arranged in parallel with a second circuit portion, the first circuit portion comprising a superconductor element arranged in series with a switching arrangement, the second circuit portion comprising a load element, the superconductor element being disposed within a cooling chamber, and the cooling chamber and the switch being disposed within a vacuum chamber, wherein the switching arrangement comprises: a mechanical actuator which is operable between a closed condition in which current is conducted through the first circuit portion and an open condition in which current is diverted from the first circuit portion through the second circuit portion and a controller for monitoring and operating the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventors: Stephen Mark Husband, Alexander Charles Smith, Roger Shuttleworth, Xiaoze Pei
  • Patent number: 8862193
    Abstract: A connector assembly of a superconducting fault current limiter includes a first superconducting tape element, an electrical connector electrically coupled to the first superconducting element at a first region of the electrical conductor, and a second superconducting tape element electrically coupled to the electrical connector in a second region of the electrical connector. The electrical connector comprises a unitary structure. The first superconducting tape element, the electrical connector, and the second superconducting tape element comprise may comprise a layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Kasegn D. Tekletsadik
  • Patent number: 8848323
    Abstract: A superconducting fault current limiter comprises a superconducting element having a plurality of superconducting portions and at least one connector. Each superconducting portion has end regions and each connector is connected to the end regions of adjacent superconducting portions to electrically and thermally connect adjacent superconducting portions of the superconducting fault current limiter together. Each connector provides a local reduction in the critical current and quench current of the end regions of the superconducting portions in contact with the at least one connector. This provides a phased transition of the superconducting fault current limiter in relation to the severity of a fault current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: Stephen M. Husband, Alexander C. Smith
  • Patent number: 8817430
    Abstract: An AC voltage controller has two transistors which can be positioned between two AC voltage terminals in series with a load. The two transistors are connected in series in such a way that their respective source terminals are connected to one another. The AC voltage controller also contains a signal generator for generating a switching signal for actuating the two transistors, a buffer which is connected downstream of the signal generator and which is set by the signal generator in order to actuate the two transistors. An actuation circuit or driver circuit is connected downstream of the buffer, for the purpose of actuating the two transistors in accordance with the set state of the buffer. A current-limiting circuit is provided for limiting or switching off the current through the two transistors in the case of an excessively large current through the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Diehl AKO Stiftung & Co. KG
    Inventors: Helmut Simon, Andreas Landerer, Werner Kaps
  • Publication number: 20140235451
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method for protecting a superconducting coil, which method prevents damage to the superconducting coil caused by a quench or the like, in a new way, without using a voltage (a change in voltage) generated in the superconducting coil. Provided is the method for protecting a superconducting coil made by winding tape-like superconducting wire having a superconducting layer. Power from a power supply is shut off based on the magnitude of a screening field, which is a difference between a measured magnetic field B in a direction of a thickness of the superconducting wire at a predetermined position, and a magnetic field Bcal in the direction of the thickness of the superconducting wire calculated disregarding an effect of screening current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicants: Japan Superconductor Technology, Inc., National Institute for Materials Science
    Inventors: Davide Uglietti, Tsukasa Kiyoshi, Shinji Matsumoto, Mamoru Hamada
  • Patent number: 8810978
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a Superconducting Fault Current Limiter (SFCL) for suppressing a bus voltage drop in an electric power system. A primary winding, a secondary winding, and a tertiary winding are wound around an identical iron core, and a superconductor is connected to any one of the primary winding and the secondary winding. A first switch is connected to any one of the primary winding and the secondary winding and is configured to be opened so as to separate a faulty section when a fault current is generated and to be shorted when the fault current is eliminated. A second switch is connected in series to the tertiary winding and is configured to be shorted so as to stably supply power when the fault current is generated and to be opened when the fault current is eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Foundation of Soongsil University-Industry Cooperation
    Inventors: Sung-Hun Lim, Jae-Chul Kim, Il-Kyoung You, Jin-Seok Kim, Myoung-Hoo Kim
  • Patent number: 8804288
    Abstract: New techniques for limiting transmission of fault current are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the technique may be realized with a new type of apparatus for limiting transmission of fault current. The apparatus may comprise: a first enclosure electrically decoupled from ground, such that the first enclosure is electrically isolated from ground potential; first and second terminals, at least one of which is electrically connected to first one or more current carrying lines; and a first superconducting circuit contained in the first enclosure, the first superconducting circuit electrically connected to the first and second terminals, wherein the first enclosure is maintained at same electrical potential as the first one or more current carrying lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Kasegn D. Tekletsadik, Roger B. Fish, Paul J. Murphy
  • Patent number: 8780510
    Abstract: A superconducting magnet apparatus that in one embodiment includes at least one superconducting coil and a passive quench protection circuit electrically coupled to the coil in parallel. The circuit includes a heater and a current limiter connected in series. The heater is thermally coupled to the coil and the current limiter blocks current through the circuit at a current lower than the current rating of the heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Xianrui Huang, Anbo Wu, Yan Zhao, Chao Yang
  • Publication number: 20140185165
    Abstract: A superconducting magnet apparatus is provided. The superconducting magnet apparatus includes a power source configured to generate a current; a first switch coupled in parallel to the power source; a second switch coupled in series to the power source; a coil coupled in parallel to the first switch and the second switch; and a passive quench protection device coupled to the coil and configured to by-pass the current around the coil and to decouple the coil from the power source when the coil experiences a quench.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Renuka Rajput-Ghoshal, James Humphrie Rochford, Probir Kumar Ghoshal
  • Patent number: 8767358
    Abstract: An apparatus 2 comprising a cryogenic chamber 4 and a galvanic input interface 6 to the cryogenic chamber 4 configured to receive a lower amplitude electric current 8. A converter 10 is located within the cryogenic chamber 4 and configured to convert the lower amplitude electric current 8, provided by the galvanic input interface 6, to a higher amplitude electric current 12 for supply to a load 14 within the cryogenic chamber 4. A controller 16 is configured to control the converter 10 and to detect the onset of quench by comparing the duration of the charge/discharge cycle of the convertor with a stored value. The controller 16 may also compare an instantaneous value of load current with a stored value of load current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventors: Andrew John Forsyth, Chunjiang Jia, Ding Wu
  • Patent number: 8739396
    Abstract: Several embodiments of a novel technique for limiting transmission of fault current are disclosed. Current power distribution systems typically have an impedance, or reactor, on the output of the network equipment to limit current in the case of a fault condition. A low resistance switch, which changes its resistance in the presence of high current, is connected in parallel with this reactor. Thus, in normal operation, the current from the power generator bypasses the reactor, thereby minimizing power loss. However, in the presence of a fault, the resistance of the switch increases, forcing the current to pass through the reactor, thereby limiting the fault current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul J. Murphy
  • Patent number: 8705215
    Abstract: A fault current limiter including: a ferromagnetic circuit formed from a ferromagnetic material and including at least a first limb, and a second limb; a saturation mechanism surrounding a limb for magnetically saturating the ferromagnetic material; a phase coil wound around a second limb; a dielectric fluid surrounding the phase coil; a gaseous atmosphere surrounding the saturation mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Applied Superconductor Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Francis Anthony Darmann
  • Patent number: 8693147
    Abstract: An electrical component having a core and a first and second coil positioned around the core is controlled in such a manner, that in response to the second coil being switched off, the first coil is short-circuited via a quenching circuit to quench the inductive load of the second coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Harald Schueler, Sven Hartmann, Stefan Tumback
  • Patent number: 8693146
    Abstract: A quench detection system for a fault current limiter (1), in particular, a high temperature superconductor fault current limiter, making use of a differential protection relay wherein in fault event the differential protection relay operates a triggering mechanism of a circuit breaker (2), thereby opening the electrical circuit and interrupting power supply to downstream components, and a method for quench detection wherein the magnitude of voltage drop during quench is converted to a current signal being proportional to the voltage and which is monitored by the differential protection relay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Nexans
    Inventor: Robert Dommerque
  • Patent number: 8654486
    Abstract: A SCFCL system includes a first SCFCL, a second SCFCL, and a controller configured to control at least one switch to couple the first SCFCL to a power line between an AC source and a load, and to electrically isolate the second SCFCL from the power line during a first operating mode when the first SCFCL is in service and the second SCFCL serves as a spare. During the first operating mode, the second SCFCL, may be maintained in a latent standby state or an immediate standby state. The second SCFCL may be automatically switched into service to provide for fault current protection in case the first SCFCL needs to be taken out of service for maintenance, repair, or replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark R. Amato, Paul J. Murphy, James D. Strassner
  • Patent number: 8611056
    Abstract: A superconducting fault current limiter (SCFCL) includes a cryogenic tank defining an interior volume, a superconductor disposed in the interior volume, and a refrigeration system configured to adjust a temperature of the superconductor in response to a condition during a steady state operation of the SCFCL. A method of operating a SCFCL includes cooling a superconductor disposed within an interior volume of a cryogenic tank to a temperature less than a critical temperature of the superconductor, and adjusting the temperature of the superconductor in response to a condition during a steady state operation of the SCFCL.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates Inc.
    Inventors: Mark R. Amato, Paul J. Murphy, James D. Strassner
  • Patent number: 8600463
    Abstract: A conductor arrangement for a resistive switching element, has at least first and second conductor connections disposed in a mutual plane adjacent to each other and insulated against each other. The composite conductors each have two conductor parts extending parallel, and forming a bifilar construction. The conductor parts are constructed from at least one superconducting conductor band. The composite conductors are formed into a coil winding, wherein the windings thereof substantially extend in the manner of a spiral, and are insulated against each other by a spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Hans-Peter Krämer
  • Patent number: 8588875
    Abstract: A superconducting fault current-limiter is provided, including a superconducting element configured to resistively or inductively limit a fault current, and one or more variable-impedance shunts electrically coupled in parallel with the superconducting element. The variable-impedance shunt(s) is configured to present a first impedance during a superconducting state of the superconducting element and a second impedance during a normal resistive state of the superconducting element. The superconducting element transitions from the superconducting state to the normal resistive state responsive to the fault current, and responsive thereto, the variable-impedance shunt(s) transitions from the first to the second impedance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Superpower, Inc.
    Inventors: Juan Carlos H. Llambes, Xuming Xiong
  • Patent number: 8582255
    Abstract: A core-saturated superconductive fault current limiter and a control method of the fault current limiter. The fault current limiter includes a superconductive magnet (2), a core (4), an AC winding (5), a cryostat system, a monitor system (7) and a DC control system (6). The output of the DC control system (6) is connected to the two terminals of the superconductive magnet (2). The DC control system (6) is also connected to the monitor system (7). The core (4) has an unequal section core structure. The control method includes: controlling the current which is flowing through the superconductive magnet (2) for limiting the fault current in the power net (1) in the case of a short circuit fault event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Innopower Superconductor Cable Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ying Xin, Weizhi Gong, Xiaoye Niu, Zhengjian Cao