Electric Superconducting Patents (Class 428/930)
  • Patent number: 6725071
    Abstract: A fully transposed composite superconductor can be especially used for AD devices and contains subconductors composed according to the Roebel bar principle and containing TC superconducting material. Superconductors are provided, that can be laterally bent in the plain of their width B so that the bending radius R is more than 100 times the width B and the bending zone length Hsue et al. '352 publication is more than 20 times the width B. The device for producing the conductor includes devices disposed in series for combining, bending, assembling to a Roebel bar, and fixating the subcontractors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Cord Albrecht, Peter Kummeth, Peter Massek
  • Patent number: 6716795
    Abstract: The invention relates to an article with an improved buffer layer architecture comprising a substrate having a metal surface, and an epitaxial buffer layer on the surface of the substrate. The epitaxial buffer layer comprises at least one of the group consisting of ZrO2, HfO2, and compounds having at least one of Ca and a rare earth element stabilizing cubic phases of ZrO2 and/or HfO2. The article can also include a superconducting layer deposited on the epitaxial buffer layer. The article can also include an epitaxial capping layer between the epitaxial buffer layer and the superconducting layer. A method for preparing an epitaxial article comprises providing a substrate with a metal surface, depositing on the metal surface an epitaxial buffer layer comprising at least one material selected from the group consisting of ZrO2, HfO2, and compounds having at least one of Ca and a rare earth element stabilizing cubic phases of at least one of ZrO2 and HfO2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: David P. Norton, Chan Park, Amit Goyal
  • Publication number: 20040053079
    Abstract: A high temperature superconducting device includes a substrate (1), a ground plane (2) formed on the substrate with a prescribed pattern and made of an oxidic superconducting material, and a dielectric layer (3) formed on the substrate so as to surround the ground plane. The dielectric layer has the same crystal structure as the oxidic superconducting material and with a heat absorbance closer to that of the oxidic superconducting material than to that of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Applicants: FUJITSU LIMITED, INTERNATIONAL SUPERCONDUCTIVITY TECHNOLOGY CENTER
    Inventors: Masahiro Horibe, Yoshihiro Ishimaru, Osami Horibe, Keiichi Tanabe
  • Publication number: 20040028886
    Abstract: By rapidly heating a precursor wire having a multifilamentary structure in which multiple composite cores in which a composite compound of an Nb—Ga compound and Nb is embedded in Nb are embedded in Nb, Ta, Nb-base alloy or Tabase alloy as a matrix material to a temperature range of 1400 to 2100° C. in 2 seconds, quenching the precursor wire at a rate of 5000° C./second or larger, and subjecting the precursor wire to additional heat treatment at a temperature range of 600 to 850° C. for 1 to 400 hours, a superconducting wire having a multifilamentary structure in which multiple composite cores in which a composite compound containing Nb3Ga of a stoichiometric composition embedded in Nb are embedded in Nb, Ta, Nb-base alloy or Tabase alloy as a matrix material is obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Inoue, Yasuo Iijima, Akihiro Kikuchi, Yuji Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20040028954
    Abstract: An article including a substrate, a layer of an inert oxide material upon the surface of the substrate, (generally the inert oxide material layer has a smooth surface, i.e., a RMS roughness of less than about 2 nm), a layer of an amorphous oxide or oxynitride material upon the inert oxide material layer, a layer of an oriented cubic oxide material having a rock-salt-like structure upon the amorphous oxide material layer is provided together with additional layers such as at least one layer of a buffer material upon the oriented cubic oxide material layer or a HTS top-layer of YBCO directly upon the oriented cubic oxide material layer. With a HTS top-layer of YBCO upon at least one layer of a buffer material in such an article, Jc's of 1.4×106 A/cm2 have been demonstrated with projected Ic's of 210 Amperes across a sample 1 cm wide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Paul N. Arendt, Stephen R. Foltyn, James R. Groves, Terry G. Holesinger, Quanxi Jia
  • Publication number: 20040023079
    Abstract: A structural arrangement of superconducting composites is provided to protect their superconductivity in such a way that these composites are electrically connected in a certain manner. The invention may be practiced with any desired superconducting material, and bismuth based superconducting materials are preferred. The shape and size of the superconducting composites may vary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventor: Z. Han
  • Publication number: 20040023077
    Abstract: An article including a substrate, a layer of an inert oxide material upon the surface of the substrate, a layer of an amorphous oxide or oxynitride material upon the inert oxide material layer, a layer of an oriented cubic oxide material having a rock-salt-like structure upon the amorphous oxide material layer, and a layer of a SrRuO3 buffer material upon the oriented cubic oxide material layer is provided together with additional layers such as a HTS top-layer of YBCO directly upon the layer of a SrRuO3 buffer material layer. With a HTS top-layer of YBCO upon at least one layer of the SrRuO3 buffer material in such an article, Jc's of up to 1.3×106 A/cm2 have been demonstrated with projected IC's of over 200 Amperes across a sample 1 cm wide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Quanxi Jia, Stephen R. Foltyn, Paul N. Arendt, James R. Groves
  • Publication number: 20040018394
    Abstract: An article including a substrate, at least one intermediate layer upon the surface of the substrate, a layer of an oriented cubic oxide material having a rock-salt-like structure upon the at least one intermediate layer, and a layer of a SrRuO3 buffer material upon the oriented cubic oxide material layer is provided together with additional layers such as a HTS top-layer of YBCO directly upon the layer of a SrRuO3 buffer material layer. With a HTS top-layer of YBCO upon at least one layer of the SrRuO3 buffer material in such an article, Jc's of up to 1.3×106 A/cm2 have been demonstrated with projected Ic's of over 200 Amperes across a sample 1 cm wide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2002
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventors: Quanxi Jia, Stephen R. Foltyn, Paul N. Arendt, James R. Groves
  • Patent number: 6649280
    Abstract: A high performance superconducting ceramic article for use in a liquid cryogen bath is provided. It includes a superconducting ceramic tape having at least one surface vulnerable to cryogenic infiltration is sealed on each vulnerable surface to a non-porous metallic laminate, which also provides the desired support structure, in substantially impervious relation by a non-porous metallic bonding agent. This results in greater protection of the superconducting ceramic tape from cryogen infiltration, and permits greater thermal cycling of the superconductor during use without causing degradation of the tape's critical current carrying capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: American Superconductor Corporation
    Inventors: John D. Scudiere, David M. Buczek
  • Patent number: 6632539
    Abstract: The polycrystalline thin film is made of a composite oxide of a cubic crystal system which has a pyrochlore type crystalline structure of a composition represented as either AZrO or AHfO (A in the formula represents a rare earth element selected from among Y, Yb, Tm, Er, Ho, Dy, Eu, Gd, Sm, Nd, Pr, Ce and La) formed on the film forming surface of the polycrystalline substrate, wherein the grain boundary misalignment angle between the same crystal axes of different crystal grains in the polycrystalline thin film along a plane parallel to the film forming surface of the polycrystalline substrate are controlled within 30°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignees: Fujikura Ltd., International Superconductivity Technology Center,
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Iijima, Mariko Kimura, Takashi Saitoh
  • Patent number: 6617283
    Abstract: An article with an improved buffer layer architecture includes a substrate having a textured metal surface, and an electrically conductive lanthanum metal oxide epitaxial buffer layer on the surface of the substrate. The article can also include an epitaxial superconducting layer deposited on the epitaxial buffer layer. An epitaxial capping layer can be placed between the epitaxial buffer layer and the superconducting layer. A method for preparing an epitaxial article includes providing a substrate with a metal surface and depositing on the metal surface a lanthanum metal oxide epitaxial buffer layer. The method can further include depositing a superconducting layer on the epitaxial buffer layer, and depositing an epitaxial capping layer between the epitaxial buffer layer and the superconducting layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: M. Parans Paranthaman, Tolga Aytug, David K. Christen
  • Patent number: 6613463
    Abstract: A superconducting laminated oxide substrate, which comprises a laminate a layer of a superconducting oxide crystal substrate made of a superconducting oxide single crystal or a superconducting oxide polycrystal and a layer of a reinforcing crystal substrate, prevents cracks from occurring in the superconducting oxide crystal substrate due to the heat treatment conducted for the purpose of forming an insulation film or a conductor film, and provides easy connectivity between electrodes and wiring formed on substrates located at upper and lower positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: International Superconductivity Technology Center
    Inventors: Teruo Izumi, Satoshi Koyama, Yuh Shiohara, Shoji Tanaka, Masahiro Egami, Youichi Enomoto, Hideo Suzuki, Michitomo Iiyama
  • Patent number: 6610428
    Abstract: An oxide superconductor article is provided having an oxide superconductor film having a thickness of greater than 0.5 microns disposed on a substrate, said article having a transport critical current density (Jc) of greater than or equal to about 105 A/cm2 at 77K, zero field. The oxide superconductor film is characterized by high Jc and high volume percent of c-axis epitaxial oxide grains, even with thicknesses of up to 1 micron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: John A. Smith, Michael I. Cima, Neville Sonnenberg
  • Patent number: 6586370
    Abstract: The invention provides a superconductor comprising particles made of a metallic boride 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. 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: April 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Nove' Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew J. Holcomb
  • Patent number: 6548196
    Abstract: Wallpaper for shielding electromagnetic waves, which can effectively shield wideband frequency electromagnetic waves and prevent static electricity, is provided. The wallpaper is prepared by applying and coating onto at least one surface of raw paper a coating composition comprising, mixed in a predetermined ratio based on the total weight of the composition, 1 to 69% by weight of at least one material selected from the group consisting of a conductive polymer material with about 1% to about 100% solids by weight of the conductive polymer material, conductive carbon and graphite, 30 to 98% by weight of matrix polymer with about 1% to about 50% solids by weight of the matrix polymer, 0 to 59% by weight of a solvent and 1 to 40% by weight of additives. Also, in order to form a protection layer for protecting the electromagnetic wave shielding layer and to enhance commodity attraction, a patterned layer is further formed and the resulting structure is dried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: AD-Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae-Mok Ha, Jin-U Park, Jin-Ouk Jang, Hyun-Sik Hahm
  • Patent number: 6537689
    Abstract: The invention relates to multi-layer articles and methods of making such articles. The multi-layer superconductors can have one or more layers with an oriented termination plane. The methods include first conditioning the termination plane of an underlying layer, such as a buffer layer or a superconductor layer, then disposing a layer of material on the conditioned termination plane. The conditioned termination plane can be a high quality termination plane. Superconductor articles formed by these methods can exhibit relatively high critical current densities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: American Superconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Urs-Detlev Schoop, Suresh Annavarapu, Martin W. Rupich, Xiaoping Li, Wei Zhang, Edward J. Siegal, Qi Li
  • Patent number: 6508888
    Abstract: A superconducting conductor and method for its production. The conductor is formed of least one superconducting core and an aluminum based cryogenic stabilizer which is a high purity Al—Fe—Ni aluminum alloy having a composition, in % by weight: 200 ppm≦Fe+Ni≦1500 ppm; 0.20≦Fe/(Fe+Ni)≦0.65; optionally, B<100 ppm; impurities other than Fe, Ni and B<0.01% total; and remainder aluminum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Aluminium Pechiney
    Inventor: Michel Leroy
  • Patent number: 6507746
    Abstract: The present invention provides an oxide superconducting wire including a component provided in the form of a tape and a metal tape. The component in the form of a tape has an oxide superconducting member and a metal coating member formed mainly of silver and coating a surface of the oxide superconducting member. The metal tape, bonded in a heat treatment (e.g., fusion- or diffusion-bonded) to a surface of the component in the form of a tape, does not contain any superconducting material and it is formed mainly of silver and it also contains at least one component other than silver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tetsuyuki Kaneko
  • Publication number: 20020142918
    Abstract: A multifilamentary superconductor composite having a high fill factor is formed from a plurality of stacked monofilament precursor elements, each of which includes a low density superconductor precursor monofilament. The precursor elements all have substantially the same dimensions and characteristics, and are stacked in a rectilinear configuration and consolidated to provide a multifilamentary precursor composite. The composite is thereafter thermomechanically processed to provide a superconductor composite in which each monofilament is less than about 50 microns thick.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Applicant: American Superconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Gilbert N. Riley, Qi Li, Peter R. Roberts, Peter D. Antaya, Jeffrey M. Seuntjens, Steven Hancock, Kenneth L. DeMoranville, Craig J. Christopherson, Jennifer H. Garrant, Christopher A. Craven
  • Patent number: 6442827
    Abstract: The invention relates to a powder in tube type method of manufacturing an HTc superconductor multifilament conductor having a matrix of compatible silver alloy and in which, during preparation of the multifilament billet, the number of segments per layer is organized so that, in cross-section, the segment layers viewed as a whole have the general shape of a converging-diverging nozzle, the throat of the converging-diverging nozzle shape being substantially contained in said superposition midplane; and in which, during the mechanical treatment of said multifilament billet preceding the synthesis heat treatment, a rolling force is applied in a direction perpendicular to the superposition midplane, and at least one of the side edges of the rolled billet is cut off perpendicularly to the superposition midplane, thereby revealing the matrix of compatible silver alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Nexans
    Inventors: Peter Friedrich Herrmann, Gérard Duperray, Albert Leriche, Jean-Pierre Tavergnier
  • Patent number: 6440904
    Abstract: Ceramic high-temperature superconductors (1) which are intended to be used as current limiters in alternating-current lines should have a bypass layer (2) whose electrical resistivity is increased by more than 10 times with respect to that of a pure noble-metal bypass layer. In order to achieve this, the noble-metal bypass layer (2) of the high-temperature superconductor (1), preferably of silver, is alloyed with a base metal, preferably Pb or Bi or Ga, by a thermal treatment. The ratio of the bypass layer thickness (d2) of the noble-metal bypass layer (2) to the superconductor layer thickness (d1) is adjusted to <1/5. A base-metal bypass layer (3) of steel whose electrical resistivity is in the range between 10 &mgr;&OHgr;×cm and 100 &mgr;&OHgr;×cm at 77 K is soldered on or applied under isostatic pressure over the noble-metal-containing bypass layer (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd
    Inventors: Makan Chen, Martin Lakner, Willi Paul
  • Patent number: 6436554
    Abstract: A method of producing an Nb—Sn compound superconducting wire precursor includes forming composite filament materials, each filament including a niobium material of an Nb-based metal and a titanium material of pure Ti enveloped in the niobium material; forming a composite rod in which composite filament materials are arranged in a matrix of a Cu-based metal but not in contact with one another, the matrix containing Sn diffused by heat treatment to combine with the niobium material to form a compound; and drawing the composite rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshio Kubo
  • Patent number: 6420318
    Abstract: Superconducting composite materials having particles of superconducting material disposed in a metal matrix material with a high electron-boson coupling coefficient (&lgr;). The superconducting particles can comprise any type of superconductor including Laves phase materials, Chevrel phase materials, A15 compounds, and perovskite cuprate ceramics. The particles preferably have dimensions of about 10-500 nanometers. The particles preferably have dimensions larger than the superconducting coherence length of the superconducting material. The metal matrix material has a &lgr; greater than 0.2, preferably the &lgr; is much higher than 0.2. The metal matrix material is a good proximity superconductor due to its high &lgr;. When cooled, the superconductor particles cause the metal matrix material to become superconducting due to the proximity effect. In cases where the particles and the metal matrix material are chemically incompatible (i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventor: Matthew J. Holcomb
  • Patent number: 6376099
    Abstract: A Cu-containing Nb3Al multifilamentary superconductive wire having a multifilamentary (superfine multi-core structure that a large number of micro-complex cores each obtained by complexing a Cu—Al alloy containing Cu in an amount of more than 0.2 at. % and at most 10 at. % in Nb are embedded in Nb, Ta, an Nb alloy or a Ta alloy as a matrix, wherein in the micro-complex cores, an A15 phase compound structure is formed by rapid heating at a temperature of 1,700° C. or more for 2 seconds or less and quenching to approximately room temperature, and further additionally heat-treated at a temperature of 650 to 900° C. This superconductive wire has high Jc in a low magnetic field, can be applied to all magnetic fields of 29 T or less, and is excellent in Jc characteristics in a high magnetic field in comparison with an Nb3Al wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Agency of Industrial Science and Technology National Research Institute for Metals
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Inoue, Yasuo Iijima, Akihiro Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 6370405
    Abstract: A multifilamentary superconductor composite having a high fill factor is formed from a plurality of stacked monofilament precursor elements, each of which includes a low density superconductor precursor monofilament. The precursor elements all have substantially the same dimensions and characteristics, and are stacked in a rectilinear configuration and consolidated to provide a multifilamentary precursor composite. The composite is thereafter thermomechanically processed to provide a superconductor composite in which each monofilament is less than about 50 microns thick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: American Superconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Gilbert N. Riley, Jr., Qi Li, Peter R. Roberts, Peter D. Antaya, Jeffrey M. Seuntjens, Steven Hancock, Kenneth L. DeMoranville, Craig J. Christopherson, Jennifer H. Garrant, Christopher A. Craven
  • Patent number: 6350843
    Abstract: Conductive thermosetting epoxy resins are produced by mixing a metallic salt or oxide with an inorganic acid to form a metallic ion solution. An alcohol is added to effect a secondary dehydration and form a complex ion polymer with double bonds and p electrons. The mixture is neutralized to produce a high molecular weight polymer of low electronic impedance. This polymer is then copolymerized with an epoxy resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Inventor: Hsu San Fa
  • Publication number: 20020006527
    Abstract: An Nb—Sn compound superconducting wire precursor comprising a matrix of a Cu-base metal, a plurality of composite filaments each composed of a niobium layer of an Nb-base metal and a titanium layer of pure Ti formed so as to be enveloped in the inside of the niobium layer, and Sn diffused in the matrix by heat treatment so as to be combined with the niobium layer to form a compound, the plurality of composite filaments being embedded in the matrix so as not to be in contact with one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Publication date: January 17, 2002
    Inventor: Yoshio Kubo
  • Patent number: 6335108
    Abstract: An implant patterned superconductive device and a method for indirect implant-patterning of oxide superconducting materials is provided. The method forms a device having an oxide superconducting layer on a substrate, deposits a passivation layer atop the oxide superconducting layer, and implants chemical impurities in a selected portion of the superconducting layer through the passivation layer. This modifies the conductivity of the selected portion of the oxide superconducting layer and electrically isolates the selected portion from the non-selected portion of the oxide superconducting layer. The passivation layer is made of a material less susceptible to implant damage than the oxide superconducting layer to allow inhibition of the oxide superconducting layer while protecting the crystalline structure of the top surface of the oxide superconducting layer and keeping it planarized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: John R. LaGraff, Claire L. Pettiette-Hall, James M. Murduck, Hugo W-K. Chan
  • Patent number: 6324413
    Abstract: A lanthanum aluminate (LaAlO3) substrate on which thin films of layered perovskite copper oxide superconductors are formed. Lanthanum aluminate, with a pseudo-cubic perovskite crystal structure, has a crystal structure and lattice constant that closely match the crystal structures and lattice constants of the layered perovskite superconductors. Therefore, it promotes epitaxial film growth of the superconductors, with the crystals being oriented in the proper direction for good superconductive electrical properties, such as a high critical current density. In addition, LaAlO3 has good high frequency properties, such as a low loss tangent and low dielectric constant at superconductive temperatures. Finally, lanthanum aluminate does not significantly interact with the superconductors. Lanthanum aluminate can also used to form thin insulating films between the superconductor layers, which allows for the fabrication of a wide variety of superconductor circuit elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: Randy Wayne Simon, Christine Elizabeth Platt, Alfred Euinam Lee, Gregory Steven Lee
  • Patent number: 6309767
    Abstract: A superconductor structure inclludes a substrate made from a temperature-resistant glass material, a buffer layer which has been deposited on the substrate, and a layer of a metal oxide high Tc superconductor material that has been deposited thereon. A glass material with a coefficient of thermal expansion of over 6·10−6 K−1 and a transformation temperature of over 550° C. is to be provided. At least a deposition process in which a maximum temperature is at most 100 K higher than the transformation temperature of the glass material is selected for the production of the structure. A current limiter device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Rainer Nies
  • Patent number: 6277501
    Abstract: The present invention has as an objective providing a silicon epi-wafer, and a manufacturing method therefor, which simplifies processing as much as possible in an attempt to lower the cost of an epi-wafer, and which is capable of manifesting a sufficient IG effect even in low-temperature device fabrication processing of under 1080° C. in an epi-wafer, and furthermore, in device processing, which enhances gettering capabilities for a variety of impurities in wafer device processing, without performing, following wafer slicing, any process from which an EG effect can be anticipated. As for the silicon single crystal, which is grown via the CZ method so as to make the oxygen concentration relatively high, and to intentionally make the carbon concentration high, outstanding gettering capabilities are manifested in the wafer itself, without performing EG processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Fujikawa
  • Patent number: 6263219
    Abstract: A SQUID made of an oxide superconducting thin film is formed on a sapphire substrate. CeO2 film, RBa2Cu3O7−x film (“R” indicates a rare earth element chosen among a group formed of Yb, Er, Ho, Y, Dy, Gd, Eu, Sm and Nd) and SrTiO3 film are deposited on the substrate top of the sapphire substrate successively. Furthermore, an oxide superconducting thin film to form a SQUID is deposited on the SrTiO3 film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Tatsuoki Nagaishi
  • Patent number: 6251530
    Abstract: A thin-film of a high temperature superconducting compound having the formula M1-xCuO2-y, where M is Ca, Sr, or Ba, or combinations thereof, x is 0.05 to 0.3, and x>y. The thin film has a Tc (zero resistivity) of about 40 K. Also disclosed is a method of producing the superconducting thin film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Varian, Inc.
    Inventors: Ivan Bozovic, James N. Eckstein
  • Patent number: 6251529
    Abstract: An Nb—Sn compound superconducting wire precursor comprising a matrix of a Cu-base metal, a plurality of composite filaments each composed of a niobium layer of an Nb-base metal and a titanium layer of pure Ti formed so as to be enveloped in the inside of the niobium layer, and Sn diffused in the matrix by heat treatment so as to be combined with the niobium layer to form a compound, the plurality of composite filaments being embedded in the matrix so as not to be in contact with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshio Kubo
  • Patent number: 6238774
    Abstract: A high temperature oxide superconductor is efficiently protected from the affects of water and acids by forming a passivation layer of a fluoride. The fluoride layer comprises a fluoride composed of one or more elements composing the oxide superconductor and/or one or more elements that can compose an oxide superconductor by replacing at least in part one or more elements composing the oxide superconductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Kyung-ho Park, Nagisa Ohsako
  • Patent number: 6230033
    Abstract: A superconducting ceramic includes a laminate and a superconducting ceramic tape joined to the laminate. The laminate and superconductor tape are joined such that the tape is under a compressive stress. The compressive stress is of a greater amount than compressive stress which results from differences in thermal expansion of the tape and the laminate. The greater compressive stress can be achieved by putting the laminate under a greater tension than the superconducting ceramic tape during joining of the superconducting ceramic tape to the laminate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: American Superconductor Corporation
    Inventors: John D. Scudiere, David M. Buczek, Gregory L. Snitchler, Paul J. Di Pietro
  • Patent number: 6210787
    Abstract: A transparent electromagnetic wave shield comprising a transparent polymer film and a conductive layer of a linear pattern shape formed on at least one side of said film, wherein the line intervals in said linear pattern are random between 20 &mgr;m and 1 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Sumitomo Bakelite Company Limited
    Inventors: Hideki Goto, Junji Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6159905
    Abstract: A method for joining high temperature superconducting components while minimizing critical current degradation is provided. The articles formed have critical currents that are at least 80 % of the critical current of the high temperature superconducting components. The invention further provides splicing geometries that facilitate wrapping joined components around a mandrel, tube or the like with minimal critical current degradation and without kinking or flexion of the joined components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Inventors: David M. Buzcek, John D. Scudiere, Richard E. Harnois, Sergio Spreafico, Laura Gherardi
  • Patent number: 6156706
    Abstract: The invention relates to a layered structure with at least one epitaxial, non-c-axis oriented high Tc superconductor (HTSC) thin film with an approximately tetragonal structure, in which the thin film having an orientation (-1,0,1) is formed on a cubic or pseudocubic (1,0,3) NdGaO.sub.3 substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Forschungszentrum Julich GmbH
    Inventors: Yuri Divin, Jin-Won Seo, Ulrich Poppe
  • Patent number: 6121205
    Abstract: A bulk superconductor including a plurality of units each composed of a substrate and a superconductive layer of R--Ba--Cu--O, where R is selected from La, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Y, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and mixtures thereof, formed on the substrate. The units are arranged in a row or in a matrix such that the superconductive layers of respective units are superconductively joined with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignees: International Superconductivity Technology Center, Railway Technical Research Institute
    Inventors: Masato Murakami, Kazuhiko Sawada, Naomichi Sakai, Takamitsu Higuchi
  • Patent number: 6117824
    Abstract: A lanthanum aluminate (LaAlO.sub.3) substrate on which thin films of layered perovskite copper oxide superconductors are formed. Lanthanum aluminate, with a pseudo-cubic perovskite crystal structure, has a crystal structure and lattice constant that closely match the crystal structures and lattice constants of the layered perovskite superconductors. Therefore, it promotes epitaxial film growth of the superconductors, with the crystals being oriented in the proper direction for good superconductive electrical properties, such as a high critical current density. In addition, LaAlO.sub.3 has good high frequency properties, such as a low loss tangent and low dielectric constant at superconductive temperatures. Finally, lanthanum aluminate does not significantly interact with the superconductors. Lanthanum aluminate can also used to form thin insulating films between the superconductor layers, which allows for the fabrication of a wide variety of superconductor circuit elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: Randy Wayne Simon, Christine Elizabeth Platt, Alfred Euinam Lee, Gregory Steven Lee
  • Patent number: 6110606
    Abstract: A high performance superconducting ceramic article for use in a liquid cryogen bath is provided. It includes a superconducting ceramic tape having at least one surface vulnerable to cryogenic infiltration is sealed on each vulnerable surface to a non-porous metallic laminate, which also provides the desired support structure, in substantially impervious relation by a non-porous metallic bonding agent. This results in greater protection of the superconducting ceramic tape from cryogen infiltration, and permits greater thermal cycling of the superconductor during use without causing degradation of the tape's critical current carrying capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: American Superconductor Corporation
    Inventors: John D. Scudiere, David M. Buczek
  • Patent number: 6083884
    Abstract: An a-axis high temperature superconducting film having preferential in-plane orientation is formed. In the preferred embodiment, an a-axis film has substantial amounts of superconductor oriented with its c-axis in a unified direction. YBCO on neodymium gallate (110) plane has resulted in a high temperature superconductor with over 80% by volume being a-axis with c-axis in-plane alignment in one preferential direction. These films are epitaxial. The preferred method of film growth is for in situ growth by laser ablation. Preferably, the a-axis film is nucleated by laser ablation on onto a substrate which is at a temperature of 50 to 100.degree. C. less than the optimal substrate temperature for c-axis growth. Optionally, once a-axis nucleation has begun, the substrate temperature may be increased to optimize superconductor properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Superconductor Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kwo-Hsiung Young, Jonathan Zan-Hong Sun
  • Patent number: 6074768
    Abstract: A process for forming a laminate of 123-type copper oxide superconductor thin films having dissimilar crystal axis orientations, a laminate of 123-type thin copper oxide superconductor layers exhibiting excellent superconducting property, and wiring for Josephson junction. A c-axis oriented single crystalline thin film of an oxide superconductor having a Y:Ba:Cu atomic ratio of substantially 1:2:3 and a lattice constant of 11.60 angstroms.ltoreq.c.ltoreq.11.70 angstroms at a temperature of 20.degree. C. under an oxygen partial pressure of 160 Torr is formed on a single crystalline substrate, and an a-axis oriented single crystalline thin film of said oxide superconductor is formed on the above laminated film relying upon a sputter deposition method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshinori Matsunaga, Shuichi Fujino, Akihiro Odagawa, Youichi Enomoto
  • Patent number: 6074991
    Abstract: Process for producing an elongated superconductor with a bismuth phase having a high transition temperature and a superconductor produced according to this process. An elongated superconductor with at least one conductor core made of high-T.sub.c Bi-containing superconductor material with the 2212 or 2223 phase is to be manufactured. For this purpose, the cross section of a structure made of Ag matrix material and a precursor of the superconductor material is reduced. Subsequently the raw conductor thus obtained is annealed in an oxygen-containing atmosphere. According to this invention, a temperature variation between a higher temperature (T1) and a lower temperature (T2) is provided for the annealing. The higher temperature (T1) is at most 7 K above the decomposition temperature (Tz), and the lower temperature (T2) is at most 9 K below the decomposition temperature (Tz).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Alexander Jenovelis, Manfred Wilhelm, Helmut Helldorfer, Bernhard Roas
  • Patent number: 6074990
    Abstract: A superconducting garnet thin film system (10) is provided for high frequency microwave applications where a single crystal high temperature superconducting (HTSC) layer (18) is integrated with a garnet substrate (12). A first perovskite compound buffer layer (14) is epitaxially grown on an upper surface of the garnet substrate layer (12) and defines a lattice constant less than the lattice constant of the garnet substrate layer (12) with the first perovskite layer being aligned in a cube on cube parallel orientation with respect to the garnet substrate layer (12). A second perovskite layer (16) is epitaxially grown on an upper surface of the first perovskite layer (14) at an orientation of 45.degree. to first layer (14) and defines a lattice constant less than the lattice constant of the first perovskite layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Neocera, Inc.
    Inventors: Alberto Pique, Kolagani S. Harshavardhan, Thirumalai Venkatesan
  • Patent number: 6045932
    Abstract: A thin film structure including a lanthanum aluminum oxide substrate, a thin layer of homoepitaxial lanthanum aluminum oxide thereon, and a layer of a nonlinear dielectric material thereon the thin layer of homoepitaxial lanthanum aluminum oxide is provided together with microwave and electro-optical devices including such a thin film structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: The Regents of the Universitiy of California
    Inventors: Quanxi Jia, Alp T. Findikoglu
  • Patent number: 6038462
    Abstract: A multifilamentary superconducting composite article comprising multiple substantially electrically decoupled domains, each including one or more fine, preferably twisted filaments of a desired superconducting oxide material. In a preferred embodiment, the article comprises a matrix, which substantially comprises a noble metal, a conductive jacketing layer surrounding the matrix, a plurality of discrete filament decoupling layers, each comprising an insulating material, disposed within the matrix to separate the matrix into a plurality of substantially electrically decoupled domains; a plurality of filaments, each comprising a desired superconducting oxide, which are disposed within and essentially encapsulated by the matrix and chemically isolated thereby from the decoupling layers, each of the electrically decoupled domains containing at least one filament.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: American Superconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory L. Snitchler, Gilbert N. Riley, Jr., Alexis P. Malozemoff, Craig J. Christopherson
  • Patent number: 6037068
    Abstract: This invention permits superconducting ceramics, as well as other ceramic materials, to be spray deposited onto indefinitely large sheets of metallic substrate from a carboxylic acid salt solution. Elemental metal precursors of the superconductor are introduced into the solution as carboxylic acid salts. The deposit formed on the malleable metallic substrate is then thermomechanically calcined to form c-axis textured metal-superconductor composite sheet structures. These composite sheet structures can be formed by pressing together two ceramic-substrate structures, ceramic face-to-face, to form a metal-ceramic-metal sheet structure, or by overlaying a metal sheet over the deposited structure. Once the structure has been thermomechanically calcined, the c-axis of the superconductor is oriented parallel to the vector defining the plane of the metal sheet, i.e., perpendicular to the surface of the plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: L. Pierre de Rochemont, Michael J. Suscavage, Daniel F. Ryder, Jr., Mikhail Klugerman
  • Patent number: RE36814
    Abstract: Excellent films of a high Tc superconductor are easily produced on metal coated substrates at a temperature below 700.degree. C. These metal buffer films are made of Pt, Au, Ag, Pd, Ni or Ti. The film superconductivity is significantly improved by the metal buffer layer. Since it is easy to form this metal coating on a substrate, the invention can increase the potential number of usable substrates such as fibers, amorphous solids or semiconductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichiro Hatta, Hidetaka Higashino, Kumiko Hirochi, Hideaki Adachi