Superconducting cable skeleton and superconducting cable

Abstract

The utility model provides a superconducting cable skeleton and a superconducting cable, the superconducting cable skeleton comprises at least one layer of spiral skeleton, at least the outermost layer of spiral skeleton is formed by spirally twisting a strip-shaped metal plate, and at least one layer of spiral skeleton is provided with a cooling medium channel which spirally penetrates through the spiral skeleton along the spiral direction. The spiral framework can guarantee certain supporting performance, has sufficient flexibility and elasticity, and can be repeatedly bent. When the superconducting cable framework needs to be bent, the gaps on the spiral framework can provide enough bending space, and then the requirement for high flexibility is met. Meanwhile, at least one layer of spiral framework is provided with a cooling medium channel which spirally penetrates through the spiral framework in the spiral direction, and a cooling medium is introduced to provide stable cold conduction for the superconducting tape. After the superconducting tape is wound outside the superconducting cable skeleton, internal cold conduction is not affected, external cold conduction is not needed, and the compactness and the application environment applicability of the cable are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of superconducting technology, specifically to a superconducting cable skeleton and a superconducting cable. Background Technology

[0002] Superconducting technology, as an important branch of materials science and electrical engineering, has made significant progress in recent years. Superconducting materials exhibit extremely low resistivity, even reaching zero resistance, at low temperatures, making them promising for applications in power transmission, magnetic levitation trains, and nuclear magnetic resonance imaging. Particularly in the field of power transmission, superconducting cables have attracted widespread attention due to their high current-carrying capacity, low loss, and environmentally friendly characteristics.

[0003] As a crucial component of superconducting cables, the cable skeleton's design and manufacturing significantly impact the overall performance and reliability of the cable. Traditional cable skeletons often utilize rigid materials such as copper or stainless steel tubing. These skeletons typically have a closed, hollow center, serving as a channel for cooling the superconducting tape wound around the skeleton before being encapsulated. However, the rigidity of these skeletons makes them unsuitable for applications requiring high flexibility, high strength, and operating in complex environments.

[0004] For applications requiring flexibility in superconducting cables, some flexible superconducting cables exist. These cables utilize, for example, corrugated tubes as the cable skeleton, with superconducting tape wound around the outside of the corrugated tube, and then encapsulated using insulating and sealing materials. Leveraging the central sealing feature of the corrugated tube, a cooling medium is introduced through the center to achieve the high flexibility required for applications. However, corrugated tubes have low strength. In scenarios requiring high strength and repeated bending and application, such as current leads in superconducting magnets, corrugated tube-based cable skeletons often fail to meet the demands of high strength, repeated bending, and repeated application.

[0005] Therefore, how to meet the application requirements of superconducting cables in high flexibility, high strength and complex environments has become an urgent technical problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application provides a superconducting cable skeleton and a superconducting cable, which at least solves the technical problem in the related art of how to meet the application requirements of superconducting cables in high flexibility, high strength and complex environments.

[0007] According to a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a superconducting cable skeleton, comprising: at least one helical skeleton, wherein at least the outermost helical skeleton is formed by helically twisting a strip of metal plate, and a cooling medium channel is provided on the at least one helical skeleton, which helically penetrates the helical skeleton along the helical direction.

[0008] In one embodiment, the spiral skeletons of adjacent layers have opposite spiral directions.

[0009] In one embodiment, an optical fiber channel is provided on at least one helical skeleton that spirals through the helical skeleton in the helical direction.

[0010] In one embodiment, the optical fiber channel and the cooling medium channel are located on the same layer of the helical skeleton.

[0011] In one embodiment, the optical fiber channel and the cooling medium channel are located on different layers of the helical skeleton.

[0012] In one embodiment, the fiber optic channel includes a primary fiber optic channel and a secondary fiber optic channel that are separate from each other.

[0013] In one embodiment, the primary fiber channel and the secondary fiber channel are located on the same layer of the helical skeleton.

[0014] In one embodiment, the outer surface of the outermost helical skeleton is convex arc-shaped.

[0015] In one embodiment, the spiral skeleton is made of stainless steel.

[0016] According to a second aspect, embodiments of this application provide a superconducting cable, comprising: a superconducting cable skeleton as described in any of the first aspects above; and a superconducting tape, spirally and crosswise wound on the outside of the superconducting cable skeleton.

[0017] This application has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0018] The superconducting cable skeleton in this application includes at least one helical skeleton. At least the outermost helical skeleton is formed by helically twisting a strip of metal plate. Cooling medium channels are formed on at least one helical skeleton, spiraling through it along the helical direction. The helical skeleton can have at least one layer, or two or more layers. The helical skeleton itself has a helical structure, which provides sufficient flexibility and elasticity while ensuring adequate support, allowing for repeated bending. When the superconducting cable skeleton needs to be bent, the gaps on the helical skeleton provide sufficient bending space, thus achieving the requirement of high flexibility. Simultaneously, cooling medium channels are formed on at least one helical skeleton, spiraling through it along the helical direction, providing stable cooling for the superconducting tape. After the superconducting tape is wound around the outside of the superconducting cable skeleton, it does not affect the internal cooling, nor does it require adding external cooling channels and armoring, further improving the cable's compactness and thus increasing the overall current density of the cable.

[0019] Furthermore, this application provides a superconducting cable skeleton, in which superconducting tape is spirally and cross-layered on the outside. The superconducting cable skeleton employs at least one spiral layer, achieving both high flexibility and high mechanical strength. The cooling medium channels running through the spiral skeleton cool the superconducting tape, simultaneously meeting various application scenarios and environments, including both vacuum and non-vacuum conditions. Single-layer, double-layer, or multi-layer spiral skeletons provide repeatable bending capabilities and can also be used for current leads in superconducting magnets requiring multiple bends or reuse. This fulfills the application requirements of superconducting cables in high flexibility, high strength, and complex environments. Attached Figure Description

[0020] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with this application and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this application.

[0021] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, for those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an exemplary superconducting cable skeleton according to an embodiment of this application;

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary superconducting cable skeleton according to an embodiment of this application;

[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of an exemplary superconducting cable according to an embodiment of this application;

[0025] Figure 4 This is a side view of an exemplary cross-sectional structure of a superconducting cable according to an embodiment of this application.

[0026] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the bending state of an exemplary superconducting cable according to an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0027] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort should fall within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0028] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged where appropriate so that the embodiments of this application described herein can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion; for example, including a series of units, systems, products, or devices is not necessarily limited to those explicitly listed, but may include units, systems, products, or devices not explicitly listed.

[0029] This application provides a superconducting cable skeleton, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, it includes: at least one helical skeleton 10, at least the outermost helical skeleton 10 is formed by helically twisting a strip of metal plate, and a cooling medium channel 11 is formed on the at least one helical skeleton 10, spirally penetrating the helical skeleton 10 along the helical direction. In this embodiment, the helical skeleton 10 can be at least one layer, or it can be two or more layers. The helical skeleton 10 itself has a helical structure, which can ensure a certain degree of support while also possessing sufficient flexibility and elasticity, and can be repeatedly bent. When the superconducting cable skeleton needs to be bent, the gaps on the helical skeleton 10 can provide sufficient bending space, thereby achieving the requirement of high flexibility.

[0030] The outermost spiral skeleton 10 is formed by twisting strip metal plates, with the width of the strip metal plates facing outwards to provide sufficient winding space for the superconducting tape. The multiple layers of spiral skeletons 10 can support each other, enhancing the strength of the superconducting cable skeleton while ensuring flexibility. Simultaneously, the adjacent spiral skeletons 10 compress against each other, providing a degree of bending restraint.

[0031] When the spiral skeleton 10 has multiple layers, the inner spiral skeleton 10 can be formed by spirally twisting a strip metal plate or by spirally twisting a cylindrical metal strip, such as a cylindrical metal strip or a square metal strip.

[0032] In this embodiment, a cooling medium channel 11 is provided on at least one layer of the spiral skeleton 10, spirally penetrating the spiral skeleton 10 along the spiral direction. The spiral-twisted cable skeleton cannot be made into a closed structure, making it impossible to provide stable cooling for the superconducting tape internally. Therefore, in this embodiment, a channel is provided on the spiral skeleton 10, spirally penetrating the spiral skeleton 10 along the spiral direction, to allow the cooling medium to flow in and provide stable cooling for the superconducting tape. After the superconducting tape is wound around the outside of the superconducting cable skeleton, it neither affects the internal cooling nor requires the addition of external cooling channels and armoring, further improving the cable's compactness and thus increasing the overall current density of the cable.

[0033] The cooling medium channel can be opened on the outermost spiral skeleton 10. In order to further improve the cooling effect, it can also be opened on each layer of the spiral skeleton 10. In this embodiment, there is no limitation.

[0034] In one embodiment, since the superconducting tape is wound around the outermost helical skeleton 10, the cooling medium channel 11 on the outermost helical skeleton 10 can serve as the main cooling medium channel 111, while the inner helical skeleton 10 can have a secondary cooling medium channel 112 to continuously provide cooling to the outermost layer, further improving the cooling effect. The main cooling medium channel 111 has a larger three-dimensional dimension or flow rate than the secondary cooling medium channel 112, thus minimizing the use of cooling medium while improving the cooling effect.

[0035] In one embodiment, the spiral skeleton 10 of adjacent layers has opposite spiral directions. For example, from the outermost layer to the innermost layer, odd-numbered layers spiral clockwise and even-numbered layers spiral counterclockwise. Alternatively, odd-numbered layers spiral counterclockwise and even-numbered layers spiral clockwise. Each layer supports each other, and the gap opening directions between adjacent layers are opposite. Therefore, it can not only comprehensively improve the strength in the axial and circumferential directions, but also maintain the consistency of elasticity in all directions.

[0036] In one embodiment, each layer of the spiral skeleton 10 can be formed by spirally twisting a strip of metal plate, thereby increasing the contact area between adjacent layers of skeleton and further improving the strength and elasticity of the superconducting cable skeleton.

[0037] In one embodiment, to enable real-time monitoring of the superconducting cable's operating status, an optical fiber channel 12 is provided on at least one layer of spiral skeleton 10, spirally penetrating the spiral skeleton 10 along the spiral direction. In this embodiment, an optical fiber for quench detection is added within the optical fiber channel 12, allowing for timely handling should a quench occur in the superconducting cable.

[0038] In this configuration, the optical fiber channel 12 and the cooling medium channel 11 are located on the same layer of the spiral frame 10. Alternatively, the optical fiber channel 12 and the cooling medium channel 11 can be located on different layers of the spiral frame 10. When the optical fiber channel 12 and the cooling medium channel 11 are on the same layer, they are separately configured to prevent the cooling medium from affecting the optical fiber within the optical fiber channel 12 and to prevent untimely quench detection.

[0039] In one embodiment, to achieve more accurate quench detection, the fiber optic channel 12 includes a main fiber optic channel 121 and a secondary fiber optic channel 122, which are separately arranged. The main fiber optic channel 121 and the secondary fiber optic channel 122 are located on the same layer of the helical frame 10. Alternatively, they can be located on different layers of the helical frame 10. The main fiber optic channel 121 and / or the secondary fiber optic channel 122 can also be provided on each layer of the helical frame 10. By setting corresponding optical fibers in the main fiber optic channel 121 and the secondary fiber optic channel 122 respectively, redundant monitoring is achieved, which can further improve the accuracy and timeliness of quench detection.

[0040] In one embodiment, the outer surface of the outer spiral skeleton 10 is convex arc-shaped. The cross-section of the outermost spiral skeleton 10 is convex arc-shaped in the middle. The arc-shaped outer surface can prevent scratching the superconducting tape during the winding of the superconducting tape, and can also ensure that the superconducting cable will not scratch the superconducting tape during bending.

[0041] In one embodiment, the helical skeleton 10 is made of stainless steel, such as 316L stainless steel with lower magnetic permeability, thereby further reducing AC losses. Other types of stainless steel are also applicable in this embodiment.

[0042] The following example, using a two-layer structure, provides a further illustration:

[0043] The superconducting cable skeleton is spiral-shaped with a cross-section featuring convex arcs on both sides. This design prevents the outer spiral from scratching the superconducting tape when bending the cable after the tape is wound around the outside of the skeleton to form the cable. The superconducting cable skeleton is made of 316L stainless steel, which has lower magnetic permeability, further reducing AC losses.

[0044] Inside the spiral skeleton 10, a spiral skeleton 10 twisted in the opposite direction is inserted to form a double-layer flexible spiral skeleton 10. The double-layer flexible spiral skeleton 10 can improve the overall mechanical strength of the superconducting cable skeleton. At the same time, during the bending process, adjacent spiral skeletons 10 will squeeze each other, which will play a role in bending limit to a certain extent, thereby protecting the superconducting tape wound on the outside from damage to a certain extent.

[0045] Cooling medium channels 11 and optical fiber channels 12 are provided inside the spiral skeleton. Cooling media such as liquid nitrogen, nitrogen gas, liquid helium, and helium are introduced to conduct heat and lower the temperature of the superconducting cable. This solves the problem of rigid cable skeletons being unable to be bent repeatedly, while maintaining good heat conduction capacity and high mechanical strength, allowing for multiple bends and reuses. The optical fiber channel 12 can be used to house optical fibers to monitor the operating status of the superconducting cable in real time. In the event of a loss of quench, timely intervention can be provided to protect the superconducting cable.

[0046] A main fiber optic channel 121 and a secondary fiber optic channel 122 can be provided inside the outer or inner helical skeleton 10. By adding fiber optic channels 12, the operating status of the superconducting cable can be monitored in real time, and any loss of superconductivity in the superconducting cable can be dealt with promptly. The main fiber optic channel 121 and the secondary fiber optic channel 122 can be monitored simultaneously in real time to achieve more accurate detection.

[0047] In practical use, the cooling medium channel 11 and the optical fiber channel 12 can coexist within the double-layered spiral skeleton 10. The outer spiral skeleton 10 contains the main cooling medium channel 111, while the inner spiral skeleton 10 contains the secondary cooling medium channel 112, as well as the main optical fiber channel 121 and the secondary optical fiber channel 122. Alternatively, the inner and outer spiral skeletons 10 can be interchanged, with the main cooling channel placed in the inner spiral skeleton 10.

[0048] This application also provides a superconducting cable, such as... Figures 3 to 5 As shown, it includes the superconducting cable skeleton described in any of the above embodiments;

[0049] Superconducting tape 20 is spirally and cross-layered and wound on the outside of the superconducting cable skeleton.

[0050] For example, the first layer of superconducting tape 20 is formed by two superconducting tapes wound in a parallel spiral; the second layer of superconducting tape 20 is wound in the opposite direction to the first layer, and so on, until all the required superconducting tape 20 is wound. In practical applications, the number of superconducting tapes 20 in each layer and the number of winding layers can be determined according to the actual current carrying requirements of the cable. The superconducting cable in this application can simultaneously meet various different usage scenarios and environments; for example, it can be used in a vacuum environment as well as in a non-vacuum environment. The single-layer, double-layer, or multi-layer spiral skeleton 10 can provide repeated bending capability and can also be used for current leads of superconducting magnets (such as...) that require multiple bends or reuse. Figure 5 (The diagram illustrates the bending effect.) Specifically:

[0051] During use, superconducting cables can employ different cooling methods depending on the operating environment. For example, when a superconducting cable needs to conduct current in a vacuum environment, a cooling medium needs to be introduced into the cooling medium channels on the superconducting cable skeleton. After the superconducting tape 20 is wound around the outside of the superconducting cable skeleton, it does not affect the internal cooling of the cable, nor does it require adding cooling channels and armoring to the outside of the cable, further improving the cable's compactness and thus increasing the overall current density of the cable.

[0052] If the cable does not need to work in a vacuum environment, the entire superconducting cable can be directly immersed in liquid nitrogen or liquid helium for cooling. Since the superconducting tape does not cover the entire surface of the superconducting cable skeleton during the winding process, and there are gaps in the superconducting cable skeleton, liquid nitrogen can directly contact and cool all the superconducting tape 20, thus achieving a good cooling effect.

[0053] In the above embodiments of this application, the descriptions of each embodiment have different focuses. For parts not described in detail in a certain embodiment, please refer to the relevant descriptions of other embodiments.

[0054] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of this application. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principle of this application, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A superconducting cable former, characterized by, Comprising: at least one spiral skeleton, at least the outermost spiral skeleton being formed by helically twisting a strip-shaped metal plate, and a cooling medium channel being formed on at least one spiral skeleton and helically penetrating the spiral skeleton in a helical direction.

2. The superconducting cable former of claim 1, wherein, The helical directions of the spiral skeletons of adjacent layers are opposite.

3. The superconducting cable former of claim 1, wherein, An optical fiber channel is formed on at least one spiral skeleton and helically penetrates the spiral skeleton in a helical direction.

4. The superconducting cable former of claim 3, wherein, The optical fiber channel and the cooling medium channel are located on the same spiral skeleton.

5. The superconducting cable former of claim 3, wherein, The optical fiber channel and the cooling medium channel are located on different spiral skeletons.

6. The superconducting cable former of claim 3, wherein, The optical fiber channel comprises a main optical fiber channel and a secondary optical fiber channel which are separately arranged.

7. The superconducting cable former of claim 6, wherein, The main optical fiber channel and the secondary optical fiber channel are located on the same spiral skeleton.

8. The superconducting cable former of claim 1, wherein, The outer surface of the outermost spiral skeleton is outwardly convexly curved.

9. The superconducting cable former of claim 1, wherein, The spiral skeleton is made of stainless steel.

10. A superconducting cable, characterized by Comprising: The superconducting cable skeleton according to any one of claims 1-9; Superconducting tapes are helically crossed and laminated on the outer side of the superconducting cable skeleton.

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