Abstract: A racetrack shaped high temperature superconducting (HTS) coil is fabricated by layer winding HTS tape under tension on a precision coil form with a binder such as pre-preg filament-ply interlayer insulation. The coil form includes a racetrack shaped bobbin, two side plates and a series of blocks that define the outside surface of the coil. The outside surface of the winding is over-wrapped with a copper foil bonded to heat exchanger tubing. The coil is baked in the coil form to cure the epoxy then released from the coil form. The resulting coil structure is a strong winding composite built to close tolerance dimensions.

Abstract: A kit for assisting in the set-up of a fluid pumping or mixing system including a superconducting element capable of reaching a transition temperature during a field cooling process is disclosed. In one embodiment, the kit comprises at least one pumping or mixing element including a levitation magnet and at least one charging magnet substantially corresponding in size, shape, and magnetic field distribution to the levitation magnet. The presence of the charging magnet adjacent the superconducting element during the field cooling process enables stable levitation of the pumping or mixing element, including when in a fluid-filled vessel positioned adjacent the superconducting element.

Abstract: A system for pumping or mixing a fluid using a levitating, rotating magnetic element and various other components for use in a pumping or mixing system are disclosed. The magnetic element is placed in a vessel or container that can be positioned in close proximity to a superconducting element. The vessel or container may be sealed with the magnetic element and a product therein, with the fluid being introduced after sealing. Preferably, the vessel or container is capable of holding fluid volumes greater than 10 liters.

Abstract: A system for cooling a superconductor device includes a cryocooler located in a stationary reference frame and a closed circulation system external to the cryocooler. The closed circulation system interfaces the stationary reference frame with a rotating reference frame in which the superconductor device is located. A method of cooling a superconductor device includes locating a cryocooler in a stationary reference frame, and transferring heat from a superconductor device located in a rotating reference frame to the cryocooler through a closed circulation system external to the cryocooler. The closed circulation system interfaces the stationary reference frame with the rotating reference frame.

Abstract: A centrifuge with a rotor set-up having at least one magnetic bearing is invented to operate a novel centrifuge. The rotor arrangement is connected with at least one permanent magnet configuration which is radially separated by small gap from a passive superconducting magnet stator. The permanent magnets which are adjusted in such a way that the escaping magnetic flux penetrates the adjacent surface of the passive superconducting magnet stator at a substantially perpendicular orientation. A driving motor unit, preferably in the form of a contactless induction engine, ensures a free and frictionless rotation. The passive superconducting magnet stator is comprised a melt textured superconducting YBCO material of high critical current density which can be cooled below its critical temperature of T=92 K using an integrated cryogenic unit to obtain the superconducting state. The stator has a preferred shape of a cylinder or hollow cylinder.

Abstract: A rotor for a synchronous machine comprising: a superconducting field winding assembly having a coil winding and at least one winding support extending between opposite sides of the winding, and a rotor core formed of a plurality of rotor core sections, each of said core sections having a tension bar slot to receive said at least one tension bar.

Abstract: An exciter assembly for supplying power to a superconducting load, such as a superconducting field coil, disposed within a cryogenic region of a rotating machine. The exciter assembly provides an efficient and reliable approach for transferring the electrical power energy across a rotating interface. The exciter assembly includes a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding, and a rotatable enclosure including a wall having an intermediate core formed of a high permeability material. The intermediate core is positioned between the primary of a transformer and the secondary of the transformer. In essence, the intermediate core acts as a flux “window” or “shunt” between the primary winding and the secondary winding. One of the primary and secondary windings is generally positioned in a rotational reference frame relative to the other of the primary and secondary windings.

Abstract: A superconductor motor operates as a squirrel cage induction motor. The rotor is covered with a thin film of superconducting material and the magnetic field created by the stator is strong enough to quench the superconducting material to its normal state at periodic spots on the rotor. This periodic quenching both creates a squirrel cage configuration of superconducting material on the rotor and allows the stator field to penetrate the rotor to induce a current. Once the squirrel cage is “created” by the stator field and a current induced, the motor operates as a conventional squirrel cage induction motor.

Abstract: The device comprises a) a rotor which can rotate or rotates about a rotational axis and b) at least one magnetic suspension bearing, in which the rotor can be or is mounted in a contactless manner and which comprises at least one super-conductive structure in addition to several permanent magnets, and c) a cooling device comprising at least one refrigeration head for cooling the super-conductive structure of the or each magnetic suspension bearing, whereby d) the rotor and each magnetic suspension bearing are arranged in a common gas chamber, which is surrounded by a gas-proof wall. The advantage of the device is that ice is prevented from forming on the magnetic suspension bearing.

Abstract: A magnetic bearing magnetically suspends a rotating shaft within a stator. The magnetic bearing has a first bearing element rigidly linked with the shaft which is enclosed by a second bearing element pertaining to the stator, thereby defining a bearing clearance. A system of magnets of the first bearing element with permanent magnet elements and a cooled superconducting system of the second bearing element with high Tc superconducting material are commonly enclosed by at least one insulating compartment. An additional compartment which is separate from the insulating compartment encloses the bearing clearance and partial compartments that radially extend on lateral sides of the superconducting system and of the system of magnets up to the shaft and are sealed from the shaft.

Abstract: A system for pumping or mixing a fluid using a levitating, rotating magnetic bearing and various other components for use in a pumping or mixing system are disclosed. The magnetic bearing is placed in a fluid-containing vessel in close proximity to a superconducting element. A separate cooling source thermally linked to the superconducting element provides the necessary cooling to induce levitation in the magnetic bearing. The superconducting element may be thermally isolated, such that the bearing, the vessel, and any fluid contained therein are not exposed to the cold temperatures required to produce the desired superconductive effects and the resulting levitation. By using means external to the vessel to rotate and/or stabilize the magnetic bearing levitating in the fluid, including possibly rotating the superconducting element itself or moving it relative to the vessel, the desired effective pumping or mixing action may be provided.

Abstract: A rotor for a synchronous machine is disclosed having: a rotor core having a rotor axis; at least one super-conducting coil winding arranged around the rotor core; at least one pair of coil support beams attached to the coil winding and secured to the rotor core, wherein said coil support beams are separated from the rotor core, and a cold coil support cylinder fitted over an outside surface of said beams.

Abstract: An superconducting electric motor is operated as a traditional squirrel-cage induction motor until the rotor reaches synchronous speed, at which point a current is trapped in a superconducting film by heating a portion of the superconducting film above its critical temperature, allowing the magnetic field generated by the stator coils to penetrate into the superconducting material and to induce a current. The superconducting material is then allowed to cool down below its critical temperature, thus trapping the current and allowing the motor to operate as a synchronous motor utilizing the magnetic field created by the direct current circulating in the superconducting material.

Abstract: There is provided a reinforced superconducting tape. The reinforced tape includes a superconducting tape containing a superconducting ceramic material, a first metal reinforcing layer having a greater coefficient of thermal expansion than that of the superconducting tape, and a second metal reinforcing layer having a greater modulus of elasticity than the superconducting tape and the first reinforcing layer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for supporting a rotor in a free state with respect to a stator with superconducting bearings. The apparatus has a rotor with closed rotor loops mounted on the rotor shaft and which are formed of a material having zero electrical resistance at a temperature below a superconductivity transition temperature. A stator encloses the rotor and has closed stator loops formed of the zero electrical resistance material and angularly positioned on the stator about the closed rotor loops. The closed rotor and stator loops are cooled to a temperature below the superconductivity transition temperature of the loop material and energized to create a magnetic flux between the ones of the closed rotor and stator loops. Apparatus for centering and securing the rotor within the stator is released to enable the rotor to move in the free state with respect to the stator.

Abstract: A superconducting PM machine has a stator, a rotor and a stationary excitation source without the need of a ferromagnetic frame which is cryogenically cooled for operation in the superconducting state. PM material is placed between poles on the rotor to prevent leakage or diffusion of secondary flux before reaching the main air gap, or to divert PM flux where it is desired to weaken flux in the main air gap. The PM material provides hop-along capability for the machine in the event of a fault condition.

Abstract: A rotating coupling allows a vacuum chamber in the rotor of a superconducting electric motor to be continually pumped out. The coupling consists of at least two concentric portions, one of which is allowed to rotate and the other of which is stationary. The coupling is located on the non-drive end of the rotor and is connected to a coolant supply and a vacuum pump. The coupling is smaller in diameter than the shaft of the rotor so that the shaft can be increased in diameter without having to increase the size of the vacuum seal.

Abstract: An superconducting electric motor is operated as a traditional squirrel-cage induction motor until the rotor reaches synchronous speed, at which point a current is trapped in a superconducting film by heating a portion of the superconducting film above its critical temperature, allowing the magnetic field generated by the stator coils to penetrate into the superconducting material and to induce a current. The superconducting material is then allowed to cool down below its critical temperature, thus trapping the current and allowing the motor to operate as a synchronous motor utilizing the magnetic field created by the direct current circulating in the superconducting material.

Abstract: A superconducting rotating machine includes a stator assembly having at least one stator coil assembly. A rotor assembly, which includes an axial shaft, is configured to rotate within the stator assembly. The rotor assembly includes at least one superconducting winding assembly. A first and second end plate are rigidly attached to the axial shaft at distal ends of the at least one superconducting winding assembly. An asynchronous field filtering shield surrounds the at least one superconducting winding assembly. A first interconnection assembly connects the shield to the first end plate. The first interconnection assembly allows for axial movement between the shield and the first end plate but restricts tangential movement between the same.

Abstract: A rotor is disclosed for a synchronous machine comprising: a rotor core; a super-conducting coil winding extending around at least a portion of the rotor core, said coil winding having a side section adjacent a side of the rotor core; at least one tension rod extending through a conduit in said rotor core; at least one tension bolt extending between an end of the tension rod and abutting the side section of the coil winding; and a channel housing attached to the tension bolt and the coil winding.

Abstract: A system capable of pumping or mixing relatively warm fluids using a rotating magnetic element or bearing levitated by a cold superconducting element is disclosed. The magnetic element or bearing carries at least one impeller and is placed in a fluid vessel positioned external to the outer wall of a cryostat or other housing for the superconducting element. A separate cooling source thermally linked to the superconducting element provides the necessary cooling to create the desired superconductive effects and induce levitation in the magnetic element or bearing. The outer wall or housing defines a chamber around the cold superconducting element that thermally isolates it from the vessel. To ensure that the desired level of thermal isolation is provided, this chamber is evacuated or filled with an insulating material.

Abstract: In a magnetic bearing in which a first part is mounted magnetically relative to a second part and the second part has a Type II superconducting material containing an anisotropic crystal or a plurality of grains formed of this anisotropic crystal, this crystal being anisotropic in that the superconducting current flows in current-carrying planes, the first part has a configuration of magnets with which the superconducting material interacts, and the crystal itself or the crystal in the plurality of grains faces the first part with the normals on the current-carrying planes.

Abstract: This invention provides a radiation curable coating composition for superconducting wires. The coating composition comprises at least one (meth)acrylate terminated urethane oligomer, at least one adhesion promoter, at least one (meth)acrylate functionalized diluent and at least one free radical photoinitiator.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for producing optimized melt-textured volume samples based on the high temperature superconductor YBa2Cu3O7 (YBCO) for use in contact-free self-stabilizing magnetic bearings. The object of the invention is to provide a process by which structured high-temperature superconductive materials of the initially mentioned composition can be mass-produced economically in an automated process while maintaining a high degree of dimensional accuracy.

Abstract: A torque/reactive momentum wheel control system for use in satellites for dynamic attitude maintenance and alteration where the flywheel of each momentum wheel is levitated by a high-temperature superconducting element repulsively interacting with permanent magnets in the flywheel. The spin rate (rpm) of the flywheel being controlled by either an active magneto or electromagneto drive system. Each momentum wheel is cooled by a cryo-cooler and can have a total weight of about 10 Kg to a fraction of 1 Kg and delivering 3.5 Js with less than 1 W loss.

Abstract: A superconducting bearing having at least one permanent magnet magnetized with a vertical polarization. The lower or stator portion of the bearing includes an array of high-temperature superconducting elements which are comprised of a plurality of annular rings. An annular ring is located below each permanent magnet and an annular ring is offset horizontally from at least one of the permanent magnets. The rings are composed of individual high-temperature superconducting elements located circumferentially along the ring. By constructing the horizontally-offset high-temperature superconducting ring so that the c-axis is oriented in a radial direction, a higher levitation force can be achieved. Such an orientation will also provide substantially lower rotational drag losses in the bearing.

Abstract: A superconducting bearing device comprising a superconductor mounted on a stationary member and a magnet section to be mounted on a rotating member, the superconductor and the magnet section being disposed to oppose each other with a gap therebetween. Also disclosed is a method for producing the magnet section thereof, wherein the magnet section consists of a plurality of annular permanent magnets which are concentric with the axis of the rotating member and also include at least one soft magnetic yoke disposed between these annular permanent magnets. Each annular magnet, in turn, may be comprised of a plurality of arcuate magnet portions whose joint surfaces may be concentrically or axially staggered to disperse nonuniform flux densities observed at their junction surfaces. The joint surfaces between the annular and magnets and the interposing rings may be curved or slanted to reduce axial displacement when the magnet section is rotated.

Abstract: Disclosed is a flywheel system for storing kinetic energy which utilizes a high temperature superconductor/magnet system for the flywheel bearings. The flywheel includes a first magnet, and having a ring magnet defining an opening. The levitation system includes a magnet for attractively interacting with first flywheel magnet, with a high temperature superconductor interposed between them, and further includes a magnet system for repulsively interacting with and partially inserted into the ring magnet.

Abstract: A superconducting bearing device comprises a permanent magnet portion fixedly mounted on a rotary body concentrically therewith, and a superconductor opposed to the magnet portion and spaced apart therefrom radially of the rotary body, the magnet portion being so disposed that the rotation of the rotary body does not alter the magnetic flux distribution around the axis of rotation of the rotary body, the superconductor being disposed at a position which is spaced apart from the magnet portion by a distance permitting a predetermined quantity of magnetic flux thereof to penetrate into the superconductor and which does not permit the rotation of the rotary body to alter the penetrating magnetic flux distribution. The magnet portion comprises a plurality of annular permanent magnets arranged at a spacing along the axis of rotation of the rotary body and an annular yoke of ferromagnetic material interposed between each two adjacent magnets.

Abstract: A ferromagnetic member (21) of a movable part (2) is disposed on a side of a stationary part (1) such that the ferromagnetic member (21) faces a high temperature superconductor (11) of the stationary part (1). The high temperature superconductor (11) is brought into a superconductive state by cooling it to a temperature below a critical temperature in a magnetic field. The magnetic flux pinned to the high temperature superconductor (11) is caused to pass through the ferromagnetic member (21) so that an attractive force is generated between the high temperature superconductor (11) and the ferromagnetic member (21) to hold the movable part (2). When the ferromagnetic member (21) has a shape such that when the gap becomes lower than a predetermined value, the attractive force decreases, the movable part (2) can be stably suspended in a non-contacting manner, without the necessity of control, by the combination of the high temperature superconductor (11) and the ferromagnetic member (21).

Abstract: A magnetic bearing apparatus and a method for providing at least one stabilizing force in a magnetic bearing structure with a superconducting magnetic assembly and a magnetic assembly, by providing a superconducting magnetic member in the superconducting magnetic assembly with a plurality of domains and arranging said superconducting magnetic member such that at least one domain has a domain C-axis vector alignment angularly disposed relative to a reference axis of the magnetic member in the magnetic assembly.

Abstract: A mixed-mu superconducting bearing including a ferrite structure disposed for rotation adjacent a stationary superconductor material structure and a stationary permanent magnet structure. The ferrite structure is levitated by said stationary permanent magnet structure.

Abstract: A magnetic bearing element contains a first bearing part attached to a shaft and a second, fixed-position, bearing part surrounding the first bearing part. One of the bearing parts contains an arrangement of a plurality of alternately polarized permanent magnetic elements between which there are ferromagnetic elements and the other bearing part contains a superconducting structure. This superconducting structure should have grains made of high-T.sub.c superconducting material, whose respective grain size is larger than the thickness of each of the permanent magnetic elements. In addition, the rotor shaft should be made of a non-magnetic material. The rotor shaft may contain the bearing part with permanent magnetic elements or the structure with the high-T.sub.c superconducting material.

Abstract: A moving mirror apparatus for scanning a light beam, such apparatus having a mirror associated with a support member able to be repulsed by a superconductor, the mirror/support member being suspended above a superconductive material with a plurality of field coils positioned around the periphery of the support member, each of the field coils being independently operable to attract the support member to cause quick, frictionless movement of the mirror to reflect the light beam to different positions, depending upon which of the field coils is activated, by attraction of the support member to the activated field coil overcoming the repulsion of the superconductive material. The apparatus can be contained within a transparent vacuum chamber in certain embodiments and can in other embodiments have independent beam movement in conjunction with the reflection of the beam by the mirror.

Abstract: An electromagnet for a MAGLEV system incorporates at least one superconducting coil, operating in AC mode, which surrounds a multiple-pole iron core and is constructed from a layer of epoxy-impregnated pancake coils assembled together along a common axis within a cryostat. The windings of each pancake coil may be constructed from predetermined lengths of Bi(2223) superconductor tape. The coil preferably operates at 77 K. but any temperature lying in a range of 5 K. to 80 K. may be used. Two- and six-pole/coil magnets operating in either AC or DC mode are specifically disclosed.

Abstract: A flywheel energy storage device including an iron structure disposed for rotation adjacent a stationary superconductor material structure and a stationary permanent magnet. The stationary permanent magnet levitates the iron structure while the superconductor structure can stabilize the rotating iron structure.

Abstract: A superconducting motor comprising an armature provided on a ro tative shaft, magnet portions disposed opposite to said armature, coolant containers for containing said magnet portions and coolant, coolant pipes connected to said coolant containers for supplying the coolant, wherein each of said magnet portions comprises a superconductor and a magnetizing coil wound around it and wherein lead wires for supplying a pulse current for magnetization are connected to said magnetizing coils.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for damping vibrations in high Tc superconducting magnetic levitation bearings and the like is described. By controlling the temperature of the superconducting material at the "energy dissipation peak", which is a few degrees below the temperature of the transition to the superconducting state, a damping effect can be switched on or off as required.

Abstract: A three way system for providing controlled levitation or suspension in a magnet-superconductor system, including a current-carrying conductor (such as a coil) for affecting interactions in the magnet-superconductor system, for example by producing a magnetic field intercepting the superconductor, thereby affecting the flux penetration and/or flux pinning properties of the superconductor. By varying the magnitude of the control current the magnitude of the field produced by the coil varies which in turn varies the magnetic interactions in the magnet-coil-superconductor system. This provides a controllable and stable range of levitation, suspension distances, and rotation in the system. Any type II superconductor can be used, but particular advantages are obtained when high T.sub.c superconductors are used.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing magnetic field inhomogeneities which produce rotational loss mechanisms in high temperature superconducting magnetic bearings. Magnetic field inhomogeneities are reduced by dividing high temperature superconducting structures into smaller structures, and arranging the smaller structures into tiers which stagger the magnetic field maximum locations of the smaller structures.

Abstract: A high temperature superconducting bearing including a permanent magnet rotor levitated by a high temperature superconducting structure. The rotor preferably includes one or more concentric permanent magnet rings coupled to permanent magnet ring structures having substantially triangular and quadrangular cross-sections. Both alternating and single direction polarity magnet structures can be used in the bearing.

Abstract: A flywheel energy storage device including an iron structure disposed for rotation adjacent a stationary superconductor material structure and a stationary permanent magnet. The stationary permanent magnet levitates the iron structure while the superconductor structure can stabilize and levitate the rotating iron structure.

Abstract: A superconducting bearing comprises a rotating member A and a fixed member B, one of which is provided with a superconducting member (5) while the other is provided with a magnet (8). The superconducting member (5) includes a superconductor (4) for floating the magnet (8) and a support (3) for supporting the superconductor (4). The magnet (8) includes a ring-like magnet (11) which is coaxial with the axis of the rotary member A, and the ring-like magnet (11) and the superconductor member (5) are so disposed as to face each other with a gap between them. A magnetic flux diffusion member (13) is disposed on the surface of the ring-like magnet (11) opposed to the superconductor (5). The ring-like magnet (11) comprises two ring-like magnets (11A and 11B) having mutually different diameters, and the ring-like magnets (11A and 11B) are magnetized so that the directions of magnetic fluxes face slantingly with one another.

Abstract: A superconducting bearing assembly includes a coil field source that may be superconducting and a superconducting structure. The coil field source assembly and superconducting structure are positioned so as to enable relative rotary movement therebetween. The structure and coil field source are brought to a supercooled temperature before a power supply induces a current in the coil field source. A Meissner-like effect is thereby obtained and little or no penetration of the field lines is seen in the superconducting structure. Also, the field that can be obtained from the superconducting coil is 2-8 times higher than that of permanent magnets. Since the magnetic pressure is proportioned to the square of the field, magnetic pressures from 4 to 64 times higher are achieved.

Abstract: A superconductor magnetic bearing includes a shaft (10) that is subject to a load (L) and rotatable around an axis of rotation, a magnet (12) mounted to the shaft, and a stator (14) in proximity to the shaft. The stator (14) has a superconductor thin film assembly (16) positioned to interact with the magnet (12) to produce a levitation force on the shaft (10) that supports the load (L). The thin film assembly (16) includes at least two superconductor thin films (18) and at least one substrate (20). Each thin film (18) is positioned on a substrate (20) and all the thin films are positioned such that an applied magnetic field from the magnet (12) passes through all the thin films. A similar bearing in which the thin film assembly (16) is mounted on the shaft (10) and the magnet (12) is part of the stator (14) also can be constructed.

Abstract: A composite includes granules of Type II superconducting material and granules of rare-earth permanent magnets that are distributed in a binder. The composite is a two-phase structure that combines the properties of the superconductor and magnets with the flexibility and toughness of a polymeric material. A bearing made from this composite has the load capacity and stiffness of a permanent magnet bearing with added stability from a Type II superconducting material.

Abstract: A contactless electrical generator assembly containing a stator and a rotor located within the stator is disclosed. The stator is formed by at least one section of superconductive material and at least one electromagnetic coil. The interior surfaces of the stator preferably define a symmetrical shape. The rotor contains at least one magnetic section, and at least two nonmagnetic sections.

Abstract: A passive superconductor bearing system and process for supporting a rotating member uses permanent magnets in the bore of the rotating member, stationary permanent magnets which encircle the shaft, superconducting materials at the shaft ends, and a duct and pinhole outlet which directs a flow of gas towards one shaft end. The stationary permanent magnets interact with the permanent magnets in the shaft to radially position the shaft in the center of the stationary permanent magnets due to radial repulsive forces between poles of the same polarity. In order to enhance stability, a gas jet is directed towards one end of the shaft to counteract the unbalancing axial force on the shaft caused by permanent magnet interaction. The superconductor-magnet interaction generates a restoring force as the shaft is transversely displaced in any direction away from its equilibrium position. The interaction does not assist shaft rotation, but adds to the stiffness and damping of the bearing system.

Abstract: A superconducting bearing device includes a permanent magnet on a rotor, with a superconductor placed opposite the magnet. Flux trapped in the superconductor during cooling helps to stabilize the rotor. More specifically, the permanent magnet is mounted on the rotor so that, as the rotor rotates, its rotation does not alter the magnetic flux distribution around the axis of rotation of the rotor. The superconductor permits penetration of the magnetic flux from the magnet, being space from the magnet by a distance that permits a predetermined quantity of the magnetic flux to penetrate it, while not permitting rotation of the rotor to alter the distribution of the penetrating magnetic flux.

Abstract: A motor/generator that is operable in an inductive mode during a startup phase and in a synchronous mode thereafter. Superconductor material is included in either the stator or the rotator and a magnetic field generator is included in the other of these two members. Induced fields in a torque-shield provide coupling between the stator and the rotor during the startup phase and then a trapped field in the superconductor provides coupling between the stator and the rotor thereafter.