Composition Containing Superconducting Material And Diverse Nonsuperconducting Material Patents (Class 505/785)
  • Patent number: 8383552
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making a high temperature superconductor having a doped, nanoparticulate pinning structure. The method includes providing a nanoparticulate pinning material, providing a cuprate material, doping the nanoparticulate pinning material with a dopant to form a doped nanoparticulate material, depositing a layer of the cuprate material on a substrate, and depositing a layer of the doped nanoparticulate material on the layer of cuprate material. The invention also provides a high temperature superconductor (HTS) having a doped, nanoparticulate pinning structure including a plurality of layers of a cuprate material and a plurality of layers of a doped nanoparticulate pinning material. At least one layer of the doped nanoparticulate pinning material is stacked between two layers of the cuprate material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Paul N. Barnes, Timothy J. Haugan
  • Patent number: 7902119
    Abstract: Porous ceramic superconductors having a film thickness over 0.5 microns are provided. The superconducting material is applied to a vicinal substrate and optionally nanoparticles are inserted to release local strain. The resultant superconductors exhibit improved Jc values compared to nonvicinal (flat) counterparts and those having no nanoparticles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Inventors: Judy Wu, Rose Emergo, Timothy Haugan, Paul Barnes
  • Patent number: 7718573
    Abstract: A method for producing an oxide superconductor by partially melting and solidifying the precursor of the oxide superconductor is a method wherein the precursor is placed on a substrate material containing pure metal or a compound which is meltable in the precursor when the precursor is in a partially molten state, and partially melting and solidifying the precursor in said state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Origin Electric Company, Ltd
    Inventors: Motohide Matsui, Masato Murakami
  • Patent number: 7541313
    Abstract: A alloy (Mg—X) of metal (X) and Mg in a liquid phase is made to react with B in a solid phase at a low temperature to manufacture a superconductor, which contains a large amount of MgB2 potential for MRI, linear motorcar, superconducting cavity, electric power transmission cable, high-magnetic field magnet for medical units, electric power storage (SMES), and the like and is formed in the shape of bulk, wire, and foil, by heat treatment performed at a low temperature for a short time and at low cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: National Institute for Materials Science
    Inventors: Akihiro Kikuchi, Kiyoshi Inoue, Yasuo Iijima, Yuji Yoshida
  • Patent number: 7445681
    Abstract: There are provided an intermetallic-compound superconductor that is high in superconducting transition temperature, and an alloy superconductor that is high in superconducting transition temperature and excels in malleability and ductility, as well as a method of making such a superconductor with good reproducibility and at a low cost of manufacture. This entirely new intermetallic compound superconductor is made of magnesium (Mg) and beryllium (Be) and has a chemical composition expressed by formula: Mg1Be2, has a hexagonal AlB2 type crystallographic structure and has a superconducting transition temperature (Tc) of 35 K. An alloy containing this intermetallic compound excels in malleability and ductility and constitutes the alloy superconductor having a superconducting transition temperature (Tc) of 35 K and being low in specific resistance for normal conduction at a temperature ranging from the superconducting transition temperature to a room temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Japan Science and Technology Agency
    Inventors: Jun Akimitsu, Yuji Zenitani, Takahiro Muranaka, Kazunobu Kadomura
  • Patent number: 7172993
    Abstract: There are provided an intermetallic compound superconductor that is high in superconducting transition temperature, and an alloy superconductor that is high in superconducting transition temperature and excels in malleability and ductility, as well as a method of making such a superconductor with good reproducibility and at a low cost of manufacture. This entirely new intermetallic compound superconductor is made of magnesium (Mg) and boron (B) and has a chemical composition expressed by formula: Mg1B2, has a hexagonal AlB2 type crystallographic structure and has a superconducting transition temperature (Tc) of 39 K. An alloy containing this intermetallic compound excels in malleability and ductility and constitutes the alloy superconductor having a superconducting transition temperature (Tc) of 39 K. In the method of manufacture, a Mg containing feedstock powder and a B containing feedstock powder are mixed together to form a mixture thereof which is, e.g., hot pressed to produce a semiconductor product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignees: Japan Science and Technology Agency
    Inventors: Jun Akimitsu, Yuji Zenitani, Takahiro Muranaka, Norimasa Nakagawa, Jun Nagamatsu
  • Patent number: 7026271
    Abstract: An oxide superconductor includes a textured superconducting material including an array of defects, where the defects are a compound of two elements foreign to the superconductor, plus other elements native to the superconductor. The two foreign elements include one from group A and one from group B (or alternately the two foreign elements include the element uranium and one element from group C), where group A includes Cr, Mo, W, or Nd, group B includes Pt, Zr, Pd, Ni, Ti, Hf, Ce and Th, and group C includes Zr, Pd, Ni, Ti, Hf, Ce and Th. The array of defects is dispersed throughout the superconducting material. The superconducting material may be the RE1Ba2Cu3O7?? compound, wherein RE=Y, Nd, La, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Tb; the Bi2Sr2CaCu2Ox, (Bi, Pb)2Sr2CaCu2Ox, Bi2Sr2Ca2Cu3Ox and (Bi, Pb)2Sr2Ca2Cu3Ox compounds; the HgBa2Ca2Cu3O8 and HgBa2CaCu2O6 compounds, the TlCaBa2Cu2Ox or Tl2Ca2Ba2Cu3Ox compounds and compounds involving substitution such as the Nd1+xBa2?xCu3Ox compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Inventor: Roy Weinstein
  • Patent number: 6620768
    Abstract: A novel process of the production and processing of high quality, high Tc (Bi,Pb)SCCO superconductors starts with fabrication of a precursor article including selected intermediate phases with desired chemical and structural properties. The precursor fabrication includes mixing raw powders with a desired ratio of Bi:Pb:Sr:Ca:Cu elements and reacting the mixture under different selected reaction conditions that form a precursor powder with a dominant (Bi, Pb)SCCO 2212 phase and without Ca—Pb—O phase, wherein the 2212 phase may be the orthorhombic 2212 phase. The precursor article is then subjected to optimized reaction and mechanical deformation processes that lead to a reaction induced texturing and deformation induced texturing, respectively. A heating process is used to convert the precursor powder to the 2223 phase and subsequent deformation and annealing processes may be used to form a substantially single phase, highly textured (Bi, Pb)SCCO 2223 superconductor with high Jc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: American Superconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Martin W. Rupich, William L. Carter, Qi Li, Alexander Otto, Gilbert Riley, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6592782
    Abstract: Metal oxides particularly useful for the manufacture of catalytic membranes for gas-phase oxygen separation processes having the formula: AxA′x′A″2-(x+x′)ByFey′B″2-(y+y′)O5+z where: x and x′ are greater than 0; y and y′ are greater than 0; x+x′ is equal to 2; y+y′ is less than or equal to 2; z is a number that makes the metal oxide charge neutral; A is an element selected from the lanthanide elements; A′ is an element selected from Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba and Ra; A″ is an element selected from the f block lanthanides, Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba and Ra; B is an element selected from the group consisting of Al, Ga, In or mixtures thereof and B″ is Co or Mg, with the exception that when B″ is Mg, A′ and A″ are not Mg. The metal oxides are useful for preparation of dense membranes which may be formed from dense thin films of the mixed metal oxide on a porous metal oxide element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Eltron Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard MacKay, Michael Schwartz, Anthony F. Sammells
  • Patent number: 6525002
    Abstract: An oxide superconductor includes a textured superconducting material including an array of defects with a neutron-fissionable element, or with at least one of the following chemical elements: uranium-238, Nd, Mn, Re, Th, Sm, V, and Ta. The array of defects is dispersed throughout the superconducting material. The superconducting material may be the RE1Ba2Cu3O7−&dgr; compound, wherein RE=Y, Nd, La, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu; the Bi2Sr2CaCu2Ox, the (Bi, Pb)2Sr2CaCu2Ox, Bi2Sr2Ca2Cu3Ox or (Bi, Pb)2Sr2Ca2Cu3Ox compound; the Tl2Ca1.5BaCu2Ox or Tl2Ca2Ba2Cu3Ox compound; or a compound involving substitution such as the Nd1+xBa2−xCu3Ox compounds. The neutron-fissionable element may be uranium-235. The oxide superconductor may include additional defects created by fission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Inventor: Roy Weinstein
  • Patent number: 6365553
    Abstract: The invention provides an oxide superconductor capable of sufficiently withstanding external forces such as a large electromagnetic force and thermal stresses accompanying rapid heating and cooling while in service, and internal stresses so as to be able to exhibit a high trapped magnetic field stably over a long period of time. The oxide superconductor such as, for example, “a copper oxide superconductor containing rare earth elements”, is composed of an oxide superconductive bulk body impregnated with a low melting metal or an oxide superconductive bulk body impregnated with a low melting metal and having a thin film of the low melting metal formed on the external surface thereof. Such oxide superconductors as described above can be produced by a process whereby the oxide superconductive bulk body kept in an atmosphere of reduced pressure is brought into contact with the low melting metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignees: International Superconductivity Technology Center, Railway Technical Research Institute
    Inventors: Masaru Tomita, Masato Murakami
  • Patent number: 6239079
    Abstract: A high temperature superconductor composite material capable of working at liquid nitrogen and higher temperatures K>77 has a sintered compound of intermixed components including high temperature superconductor ceramics, a silver dope, and sintering products of interaction of the superconductor ceramics and the silver dope with silicone material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Inventors: M. I. Topchiashvili, A. E. Rokhvarger
  • Patent number: 6172007
    Abstract: An oxide superconductor which exhibits an uniform and high critical current is disclosed. Further, a method of manufacturing this oxide superconductor is disclosed, namely, a RE—Ba—Cu—O oxide superconductor (RE is one or more kinds of rare earth elements including Y) by performing a treatment, which includes at least a burning process to be performed in a range of temperatures that are higher than a melting point of a raw material mixture containing a RE-compound raw material, Ba-compound raw material and a Cu-compound raw material, on the raw material mixture. This method further includes a step of crushing the raw material mixture into particles and establishing the mean particle diameter of one or all of the raw materials as ranging from 50 to 80 &mgr;m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Dowa Mining Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuya Yamaguchi, Shuichi Kohayashi, Shuetsu Haseyama, Shuji Yoshizawa
  • Patent number: 6126855
    Abstract: The invention provides superior reaction products of copper, especially ultra-clean copper and polymeric chemical complexes. The polymers are unusual in that they provide polymeric systems of extensive conjugated double bond networks well suited for electron flow. The polymers are the covalent reaction products of aroylacrylates and isocyanates or thioisocyanates and are of stability and ease of manufacture.The materials provide superior electrical conductors and superconductors. Through the use of lattice modifiers and stabilizers the lattices of the polymers may be "fine tuned" easily so as to optimize important characteristics such as electron flow.The organic coatings on the copper perform best as thin films, especially as films thinner than lambda, the penetration depth of the magnetic flux into the superconductor. The long term widely accepted use of copper as an electrical conductor, with its flexibility, durability, and strength is preserved while its electrical current capacity is greatly enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Inventor: Stanley B. Elliott
  • Patent number: 6083885
    Abstract: An oxide superconductor includes a textured superconducting material including an array of defects with a neutron-fissionable element, or with at least one of the following chemical elements: uranium-238, Nd, Mn, Re, Th, Sm, V, and Ta. The array of defects is dispersed throughout the superconducting material. The superconducting material may be the RE.sub.1 Ba.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-.delta. compound, wherein RE=Y, Nd, La, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu; the Bi.sub.2 Sr.sub.2 CaCu.sub.2 O.sub.x, the (Bi, Pb).sub.2 Sr.sub.2 CaCu.sub.2 O.sub.x, Bi.sub.2 Sr.sub.2 Ca.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.x or (Bi, Pb).sub.2 Sr.sub.2 Ca.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.x compound; the Tl.sub.2 Ca.sub.1.5 BaCu.sub.2 O.sub.x or Tl.sub.2 Ca.sub.2 Ba.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.x compound; or a compound involving substitution such as the Nd.sub.1+x Ba.sub.2-x Cu.sub.3 O.sub.x compounds. The neutron-fissionable element may be uranium-235. The oxide superconductor may include additional defects created by fission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Inventor: Roy Weinstein
  • Patent number: 6063735
    Abstract: A mixture suitable for the production of melt-processed high-temperature superconductors capable of producing a high levitation force. The mixture contains YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x powder with a very low content of copper oxide, i.e. copper not bound in with the YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x, and a very low carbon content. Also included are stabilizing (so-called "flux-pinning") additives. Also disclosed is a method or producing the mixture, as well as YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x powder with suitable low free copper oxide and carbon contents, used to prepare the mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignees: Solvay Barium Strontium GmbH, Institut fuer Physikalische Hochtechnologie e.V.
    Inventors: Jai Won Park, Karl Koehler, Ferdinand Hardinghaus, Paul Jaeger, Klaus Fischer, Tobias Habisreuther, Wolfgang Gawalek, Doris Litzkendorf, Peter Goernert, Minzi Wu
  • Patent number: 5994275
    Abstract: An oxide superconductor article comprises silver and an oxide superconductor having the formula Bi.sub.2-y Pb.sub.y Sr.sub.2 Ca.sub.2 O.sub.10+x, where 0.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.1.5, and 0.3.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.0.4, the oxide superconductor characterized by a critical current transition temperature of greater than 111.0 K as defined by zero resistance by a four point linear probe method with zero resistance corresponding to a resistivity of less that 10.sup.-8 .OMEGA.-cm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: American Superconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander Otto, Gilbert N. Riley, Jr., William L. Carter
  • Patent number: 5981442
    Abstract: An Nd-Ba-Cu-O bulk superconductor includes oxide including metallic elements of neodymium (Nd), barium (Ba) and copper (Cu), and has a structure in which fine particles of Nd.sub.4 Ba.sub.2 Cu.sub.2 O.sub.10 (i.e., Nd422) are dispersed uniformly in crystalline grains of NdBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.x (i.e., Nd123). It is produced by preparing a mixture powder in which an Nd123 powder and an Nd422 powder are present uniformly, thermally treating the mixture powder in a temperature range where the Nd123 powder melts partially at least but the Nd422 powder hardly melts, and gradually cooling the partially melted mixture powder in a temperature range around a solidifying point of the Nd123 powder. It exhibits an enhanced magnetic-field-trapping capability in the regions of low magnetic field, because of the pinning effect resulting from the fine particles of Nd422 dispersed uniformly in the crystalline grains of Nd123.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yousuke Yanagi, Takeo Yamazaki, Atsushi Takagi, Yuh Yamada, Uichiro Mizutani, Yoshitaka Itoh, Masaaki Yoshikawa, Tetsuo Oka
  • Patent number: 5958842
    Abstract: Superconducting articles and a method of forming them, where the superconducting phase of an article is Bi.sub.2 Sr.sub.2 CaCu.sub.2 O.sub.y (Bi-2212). Alumina is combined with Bi-2212 powder or Bi-2212 precursor powder and, in order to form an intimate mixture, the mixture is melted and rapidly cooled to form a glassy solid. The glassy solid is comminuted and the resulting powder is combined with a carrier. An alternative to melting is to form the mixture of nanophase alumina and material having a particle size of less than about 10 microns. The powder, with the carrier, is melt processed to form a superconducting article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: The Regents of the Uniersity of California
    Inventor: Terry G. Holesinger
  • Patent number: 5952268
    Abstract: The present invention relates to method of preparing a superconductor material consisting in preparing a precursor constituted by a powder of Ba.sub.2 Ca.sub.n-1 Cu.sub.n+1 O.sub.x or Ba.sub.2 Ca.sub.n-1 Cu.sub.n+1 O.sub.x where n is an integer greater than 1 and x is greater than 2n+2; in mixing said powder with silver oxide power, optionally in the presence of excess copper oxide, in a proportion of one mole of precursor for one to three moles of silver oxide; and in heating to high temperature and high pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Alcatel
    Inventors: Miguel Angel Alario-Franco, Catherine Chaillout, Jean-Jacques Capponi, Jean-Louis Tholence, Benedicte Souletie
  • Patent number: 5883050
    Abstract: A Hg-based superconducting cuprate film on a substrate is disclosed, which comprises a compound having the formula Hg.sub.1-x M.sub.x Ba.sub.2 Ca.sub.n-1 Cu.sub.n O.sub.y, M is a metal cation, x ranges from 0 to 1, n is an integer greater than 0, and y is an oxygen sufficiency factor having a value less than about 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: The University of Kansas
    Inventors: Sang-Ho Yun, Judy Z. Wu
  • Patent number: 5858926
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for preparing a HgBaCaCuO superconductor by annealing a precursor mixture comprising a lower member of the homologous HgBaCaCuO superconductor series, a source of calcium and a source of copper. The precursor mixture may further comprise a source of oxygen, a source of rhenium, and, if desired, a source of an additional element selected from the group consisting of halogens and metals other than mercury, barium, calcium, copper and rhenium. The process is particularly effective for preparing (Hg.sub.1-x,Re.sub.x)Ba.sub.2 Ca.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.8-y by annealing a precursor mixture containing (Hg.sub.1-x,Re.sub.x)Ba.sub.2 Ca.sub.1 Cu.sub.2 O.sub.6-y at a temperature below about 850.degree. C., wherein x ranges up to about 0.25 and y is a rational number ranging from about negative 1 to about positive 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Florida State University
    Inventors: Justin Schwartz, Christian H. Wolters, Kathleen M. Amm
  • Patent number: 5849667
    Abstract: A high critical temperature and high critical current density superconductor is disclosed which contains a metal oxide expressed by the following formula (I):(R.sup.1.sub.1-x, Ba.sub.x)Ba.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.d (I)wherein R.sup.1 stands for at least one element selected from the group consisting of La, Nd, Sm, Eu and Gd, x is a number greater than 0 but not greater than 0.5 and d is a number between 6.2 and 7.2. Fine phases of RE211, RE422 and/or a metal oxide expressed by the formula (R.sup.2.sub.1-z, Ba.sub.z) (Ba.sub.1-y, R.sup.2.sub.y).sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.p (R.sup.2 =La, Nd, Sm, Eu or Gd) may be dispersed in a matrix of the matrix phase of the formula (I). The above superconductor may be obtained by cooling a melt having a temperature of 1,000.degree.-1,300.degree. C. and containing R.sup.1, Ba, Cu and O at a cooling rate of 5.degree. C./hour or less under a partial pressure of oxygen of between 0.00001 and 0.05 atm, followed by annealing at 250.degree.-600.degree. C. in an oxygen atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignees: International Superconductivity Technology Center, Railway Technical Research Institute, Shikoku Denryoku Kabushikigaisha, Tosoh Corporation
    Inventors: Masato Murakami, Sang-Im Yoo, Naomichi Sakai, Hiroshi Takaichi, Takamitsu Higuchi, Shoji Tanaka
  • Patent number: 5849668
    Abstract: An oxide superconductor which exhibits an uniform and high critical current density. Further, a method of manufacturing this oxide superconductor, namely, a RE--Ba--Cu--O oxide superconductor (RE is one or more kinds of rare earth elements including Y) by performing a treatment, which includes at least a burning process to be performed in a range of temperatures that are higher than a melting point of a raw material mixture containing a RE-compound raw material, Ba-compound raw material and a Cu-compound raw material, on the raw material mixture. This method further comprises a step of crushing the raw material mixture into particles and establishing the mean particle diameter of one or all of the raw materials as ranging from 50 to 80 .mu.m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Dowa Mining Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuya Yamaguchi, Shuichi Kohayashi, Shuetsu Haseyama, Shuji Yoshizawa
  • Patent number: 5807809
    Abstract: Improved superconducting thin films are provided having very high T.sub.c (zero) and J.sub.c values, on the order of greater than or equal to 120K and 10.sup.5 A/cm.sup.2 or greater, respectively. The films of the invention are adapted for deposit and support on a compatible substrate, and include a superconductive material, most preferably Tl.sub.2 Ba.sub.2 Ca.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.10, with up to about 10% elemental gold admixed with the superconductive material. The preferred method for fabricating the thin film superconductors comprises first forming a non-superconducting precursor film on a compatible substrate which is placed in contact with an unsintered bulk body containing thallium; the substrate with precursor film are sintered with the bulk body to form the desired superconductor material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignees: Midwest Superconductivity, Inc., The University of Arkansas
    Inventors: Ying Xin, Bingruo Xu, Iatneng Chan, Greg J. Salamo, Fui T. Chan
  • Patent number: 5674815
    Abstract: An oxide superconductor composed of Cu, O and M (M is Ba, Sr and/or Ca) and including alternately arranged at least one rock-salt structure section and at least one infinite layer structure section, wherein the rock-salt structure section consists of two atomic layers each consisting of O and M and each having an atomic ratio O/M of 1 or less, and the infinite layer structure section consists of alternately arranged, first and second atomic layers. Each of the first atomic layers consists of O and Cu and has an atomic ratio O/Cu of 2, while each of the second atomic layers consists of the element M. The infinite layer structure section may consist of only one first atomic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignees: International Superconductivity Technology Center, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiji Adachi, Hisao Yamauchi, Shoji Tanaka, Nobuo Mouri
  • Patent number: 5648319
    Abstract: Disclosed is an oxide superconductor comprising an oxide of RE, Ba and Cu, which consists of a superconductor having a texture wherein the crystal directions of the 123 phase in the matrix are uniform, large angle grain boundaries having an directional difference larger than 20.degree. are not present and the 211 phase is finely dispersed, or an aggregate thereof, wherein the superconductor is formed into a plate or wire and the c-axis of the crystal of the formed body is uniform within .+-.30.degree. to the normal of the plate face of the formed body or in the range of from 60.degree. to 120.degree. to said normal. Also disclosed is a process for the preparation of an oxide superconductor as set forth above, which comprises inserting a formed body as mentioned above to a heating furnace and moving a region of a temperature at which grains are formed in the 123 phase of the matrix of the formed body, i.e., through a region having a temperature of from 1050.degree. to 910.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Nippon Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuru Morita, Katsuyoshi Miyamoto, Kiyoshi Sawano, Shouichi Matsuda
  • Patent number: 5646097
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for fabricating a polycrystalline <223> thallium-containing superconductor having high critical current at elevated temperatures and in the presence of a magnetic field. A powder precursor containing compounds other than thallium is compressed on a substrate. Thallium is incorporated in the densified powder precursor at a high temperature in the presence of a partial pressure of a thallium-containing vapor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Eric Tkaczyk, Kenneth Wilbur Lay, Qing He
  • Patent number: 5627140
    Abstract: Enhanced flux pinning in superconductors is achieved by embedding carbon nanotubes into a superconducting matrix. The carbon nanotubes simulate the structure, size and shape of heavy ion induced columnar defects in a superconductor such as Bi.sub.2 Sr.sub.2 CaCu.sub.2 O.sub.8+x. The nanotubes survive at treatment temperatures of up to approximately 800.degree. C. both in oxygen containing and in inert atmospheres. The superconducting matrix with nanotubes is heat treated at a lower temperature than the temperature used to treat the best case pure superconductor material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignees: NEC Research Institute, Inc., Florida State University
    Inventors: Kristian Fossheim, Thomas W. Ebbesen
  • Patent number: 5620945
    Abstract: Processes are provided for forming a superconductive composite, comprising a superconductive metal oxide and a ceramic. The composite may be formed in any desired shape. Liquid nitrogen can be held around the superconductor longer and delivered in a more controlled fashion and the composite has improved resistance to shatter and thermal shock. The ceramic also provides protection from atmospheric deterioration of the superconductive oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Anna L. Baker, Michael Strasik
  • Patent number: 5589441
    Abstract: Processes are provided for forming a superconductive composite, comprising a superconductive metal oxide and a ceramic. The composite may be formed in any desired shape. Liquid nitrogen can be held around the superconductor longer and delivered in a more controlled fashion and the composite has improved resistance to shatter and thermal shock. The ceramic also provides protection from atmospheric deterioration of the superconductive oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Anna L. Baker, Michael Strasik
  • Patent number: 5578551
    Abstract: The present invention is a controlled vapor/solid reaction process for the synthesis of samples of bulk compositions with a structure defined by the homologous series HgBa.sub.2 Ca.sub.n-1 Cu.sub.n O.sub.2n+2+.delta. [Hg-12(n-1)n] with n=2, 3, . . . with up to 75 to 90% Hg-1212 and 65 to 75% Hg-1223 by volume, which display sharp superconducting transitions up to 135 K.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: University of Houston
    Inventors: Ching-Wu Chu, Ruling Meng, Y. Q. Wang
  • Patent number: 5571776
    Abstract: Enlargement of a crystal of a bulk oxide superconductor of REBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x, wherein RE is at least one of Y and rare earth elements, is effected by three dimensionally arranging layers of REBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x with a different RE in the order of decreasing (123) phase formation temperatures from the center outward, or by forming a stack of layers of RE Ba.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x with a different RE in the order of decreasing (123) phase formation temperatures; the size of the layer being enlarged along with a decrease in the (123) phase formation temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: Nippon Steel Corporation
    Inventor: Mitsuru Morita
  • Patent number: 5552370
    Abstract: A method for making metal/ceramic superconductor thick film structures including the steps of preparing a silver/superconductor ink, applying the ink to a substrate, evaporating the ink's binder, decomposing a silver compound in the residue to coat the superconductor grains, sintering the coated superconductor grains, and oxygenating the superconductor grains through the silver coating. The resultant inter-granular silver increases the critical current and mechanical strength of the superconductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: John T. Anderson, V. K. Nagesh, Richard C. Ruby
  • Patent number: 5547921
    Abstract: A superconducting film including 0.1-5% by weight of magnesium oxide wherein the superconducting film has a thickness in a range from 300 to 1000 .mu.m. A superconducting device for magnetic shielding comprises: a substrate; and a superconducting layer supported by the substrate, the superconducting layer including grains of a Bi-type superconducting oxide so that the superconducting layer has a critical temperature higher than -196.degree. C., the superconducting layer having a thickness in a range from 300 to 1,000 .mu.m, the superconducting layer including 0.1-5% by weight of magnesium oxide, where the superconducting device has a laminated structure including the substrate and the superconducting layer. A process for producing a superconducting film comprises the steps of: firing a mixture of calcined powders of a superconducting oxide and 0.1-5% by weight of magnesium oxide powders at a temperature at which the superconducting oxide is partially melted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Tani, Tooru Hayase, Hideki Shimizu, Kazuyuki Matsuda
  • Patent number: 5525585
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the preparation of YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x superconductor which comprises surrounding a sintered material in which the molar ratio of Y:Ba:Cu is 2:1:1 with liquid-forming powder and subjecting the powder compact to isothermal heat-treatment at a temperature below the peritectic temperature of YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x. The YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x superconductors prepared according to the present invention have aligned grain structure in one direction and thus exhibit a high critical current density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Jeong-Hun Suh, Young A. Jee, Suk-Joong L. Kang, Duk Y. Yoon
  • Patent number: 5525581
    Abstract: A Bi--Sr--Ca--Cu--O ceramic superconductor contains 0112 phases which are finely dispersed in a 2212-phase matrix with its c-axis oriented perpendicular to a growth direction.A method of preparing a Bi--Sr--Ca--Cu--O ceramic superconductor comprises the steps of growing crystals under conditions satisfying:G/R.gtoreq.1 and G.multidot.R.gtoreq.10000where G (K/cm) represents the temperature gradient at a solid-liquid interface and R (mm/h) represents the rate of crystal growth, and annealing the grown crystals in an atmosphere having oxygen partial pressure of at least 0.05 atm. within a temperature-range of 800.degree. to 860.degree. C. for at least 2 hours.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: Engineering Research Association for Superconductive Generation Equipment and Materials
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Hayashi
  • Patent number: 5523284
    Abstract: In accordance this invention, there is provided a process for making a bulk superconductive material. In the first step of this process, a diffusion couple is formed from superconductor oxide and impurity oxide. Thereafter, the diffusion couple is heated to a temperature in excess of 800 degrees Centigrade, cooled at a controlled rate, and annealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: Alfred University
    Inventors: James G. Fagan, Jr., Vasantha R. W. Amarakoon
  • Patent number: 5508253
    Abstract: The present invention is characterized in that oxides of Y, Ba and Cu having a superconductive substance-forming composition are melted, the melt is rapidly cooled and solidified, the obtained sheet is heated at a temperature of 1000.degree. to 1350.degree. C. to produce a partially melted state thereof, and the sheet is gradually cooled at a rate lower than 200.degree. C./hr, whereby a micro-structure in which precipitates of the RE.sub.2 BaCuO.sub.5 phase having a diameter smaller than 20 .mu.m are dispersed in the REBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-y crystal is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Assignee: Nippon Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuru Morita, Katsuyoshi Miyamoto, Masato Murakami, Shoichi Matsuda
  • Patent number: 5508257
    Abstract: Superconducting composite comprising a matrix made of superconducting sintered mass composed of perovskite type or quasi-perovskite type oxide and metal phase dispersed in the superconducting mass with a proportion of from 10 to 70 volume % with respect to said composite. The metal phase may consist of at least one of Cu, Ag, Au, Pt, Ni and Zn or their alloys. The superconducting sintered mass may be Ba-Y-Cu-O type compound oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichiro Sibata, Takeshi Yamaguchi, Shuji Yazu, Tetsuji Jodai
  • Patent number: 5504138
    Abstract: Circuit board devices are provided based on use of high temperature superconducting ceramic polymers comprising high temperature superconducting ceramic powders distributed in electrically insulative organic polymers which are thermosetting by reaction of a two-part liquid mixture or by catalytic or photoinitiation of a one-part liquid. The ceramic domains transmit their superconductivity across the insulating barriers of organic polymers enabling formation of superconductive lines and superconducting bonds to electronic devices to be adhered to circuit boards, and providing superconducting circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Inventor: Richard Jacobs
  • Patent number: 5492885
    Abstract: Mercury-thallium based superconductors with the formula Hg.sub.1-x Tl.sub.x Ba.sub.2 (Ca.sub.1-y Sr.sub.y).sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.8+.delta. ; change "their preparing method, in particular characterized in that it" to and a method for preparing them. The new superconductors are prepared by reacting respective ternary oxides, such as Ba.sub.2 CuO.sub.3+x and Ca.sub.1-y Sr.sub.y CuO.sub.2, to reduce the formation of an impure phase and by substituting thallium (Ti) a portion of the mercury (Hg) conventionally used in mercury-based superconductors of similar structure, in order to thermally stabilize the superconductor and provide it with a high critical current density characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1996
    Assignee: Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science
    Inventors: Yong H. Hur, Yong K. Park, Jong C. Park
  • Patent number: 5470821
    Abstract: Composite bulk superconducting materials having desirable physical, measured transport current density and high T.sub.c superconducting characteristics are provided which comprise a first matrix of superconducting ceramic oxide crystalline grains with a second matrix of elemental metal (gold, silver, palladium and tin) situated within the interstices between the crystalline grains. Preferably, each matrix is a continuous phase within the composite material, with the ceramic oxide preferably being present at a level of at least about 80% by weight, whereas the elemental metal is present at a level of up to about 20% by weight. In fabrication procedures, a precursor superconducting ceramic oxide is first prepared and reduced to a fine powder size; this is mixed with powdered elemental metal, and the mixture is compressed using high compaction pressures on the order of 14 tons/cm.sup.2 or greater to form a body, which is then sintered to yield the composite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignees: The University of Kansas, Midwest Superconductivity, Inc.
    Inventors: Kai W. Wong, Xin Fei, Ying Xin, Yi-Han Kao
  • Patent number: 5462922
    Abstract: A superconductive material has the formula(Tl.sub.1-X1-x2 Pb.sub.X1 Bi.sub.X2).sub..alpha. (Sr.sub.1-X3 Ba.sub.X3).sub..beta. Ca.sub..gamma. Cu.sub..delta. O.sub..zeta.where0.ltoreq.X1.ltoreq.0.80.ltoreq.X2.ltoreq.0.50.ltoreq.X3.ltoreq.1.00.7.ltoreq..alpha..ltoreq.1.51.4.ltoreq..beta..ltoreq.3.00.7.ltoreq..gamma..ltoreq.4.51.4.ltoreq..delta..ltoreq.64.5.ltoreq..zeta..ltoreq.170<X1+X2<1.The superconducting material may be combined with an isostructural non-superconducting material, which then acts as a pinning center. The result may also be combined with a metal. The resulting superconductor permits a high critical current density Jc to be obtained, even at relatively high magnetic flux densities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiya Doi, Takeshi Ozawa, Kazuhide Tanaka, Toyotaka Yuasa, Tomoichi Kamo, Shinpei Matsuda
  • Patent number: 5462917
    Abstract: A superconductor material having a current density, J, of from about 30,000 to about 85,000 amps/cm.sup.2 at zero magnetic field and 77.degree. K is disclosed. The 123 superconductor, of the formula L.sub.1 Ba.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.6 +.delta. wherein L is preferably yttrium, is capable of entrapping sufficiently high magnetic fields and exhibits a low microwave surface resistance. The process of preparing the superconductor comprises compacting the bulk product, L.sub.1 Ba.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O, and then sintering the reaction product at a temperature between about 40.degree. C. to about 90.degree. C. below its melting point, i.e., for Y.sub.1 Ba.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.6 +.delta. at a temperature of approximately 940.degree. C. The composition is then heated in a preheated chamber maintained at approximately 1090.degree. C. to about 1,200.degree. C. (approximately 1,100.degree. C. for Y.sub.1 Ba.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.6 +.delta.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Assignee: University of Houston-University Park
    Inventors: Kamel Salama, Venkatakrishnan Selvamanickam
  • Patent number: 5457086
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Assignee: Allied-Signal, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas K. Rigney, II
  • Patent number: 5455223
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is a precursor powder to an oxide superconductor, namely a coated particle comprising a metal oxide particle core (including a mixed metal oxide, e.g., BSCCO-2212 or YBCO-123) on which is deposited a secondary metal oxide coating (e.g., M.sub.n CuO.sub.x or CuO). The metal oxide particle and secondary metal oxide coating together comprise metallic elements having a stoichiometry appropriate for the formation of a desired oxide superconductor. The metal oxide reacts with the secondary metal oxide under suitable conditions (e.g., heating) to form the desired oxide superconductor (e.g., BSCCO-2223 or YBCO-124). In another aspect, the invention is a method for preparing such a coated particle, comprising: preparing a precursor solution comprising a metal .mu.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: American Superconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Martin Rupich, Gilbert N. Riley, Jr., William L. Carter
  • Patent number: 5444425
    Abstract: A flux-trapped superconducting magnet which is formed of high transition temperature superconducting mixture doped with a magnetic material having a Curie temperature below the transition temperature of the superconducting mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Colorado
    Inventors: Allen M. Hermann, Gol A. Naziripour, Timir Datta
  • Patent number: 5444039
    Abstract: The oxide superconductor according to the present invention is represented by (Hg.sub.1-x Pb.sub.x)Ba.sub.2 Ca.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub..delta. (0.08.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.0.41, 7.625.ltoreq..delta..ltoreq.9.15), and has a crystal structure in which a lamination unit of (Hg, Pb)O.sub.z -BaO-CuO.sub.2 -Ca-CuO.sub.2 -Ca-CuO.sub.2 -BaO is laminated in a c-axial direction of the crystal structure (0.625.ltoreq.z.ltoreq.2.15). Further, the method of manufacturing an oxide superconductor, according to the present invention, includes the steps of: mixing material powders of HgO, PbO, BaO, CaO and CuO at a mole ratio of (Hg.sub.1-x Pb.sub.x):Ba:Ca:Cu=a:2:b:c (1.ltoreq.a.ltoreq.2.5, 2.ltoreq.b.ltoreq.3, 2.5.ltoreq.c.ltoreq.4) and compression-molding the mixture powder into a compact; and subjecting the compact to a thermal treatment at 600.degree.-750.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignees: Tohoku Electric Power Copany, Incorporated, Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., International Superconductivity Technology Center
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Isawa, Ayako Yamamoto, Makoto Itoh, Seiji Adachi, Hisao Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 5439878
    Abstract: A process for preparing a copper oxide superconductor of (Ba,Sr)-Cu-C-O containing carbonate radicals is disclosed, which comprises the steps of: mixing alkaline earth metal compounds and a copper compound with a molar ratio of 1.1 to 2.25 to obtain a mixture; pressing said mixture to form a pellet; and sintering said pellet in an oxygen atmosphere, wherein the alkaline earth metal compounds including a barium compound selected from the group consisting of barium carbonate and barium oxalate, and a strontium compound selected from the group consisting of strontium carbonate and strontium oxalate and the copper compound selected from the group consisting of copper carbonate, copper nitrate, copper oxalate and copper oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Assignee: Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation
    Inventors: Kyoichi Kinoshita, Tomoaki Yamada