Bulk Superconductor Energy Storage Decoupling Power Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional superconducting coils used in energy storage devices for pulse-power applications have low specific power due to their large mechanical structure, making them unsuitable for high-loading capabilities, and require shielding or increased mass to manage magnetic fields, which increases weight, size, and cost.
Innovation Solution
A bulk superconductor device with a high specific energy capability, coupled with a heating element, stores magnetic energy and discharges it to induce current in a coil, providing high-specific power output without the need for shielding or excessive mass, using multiple bulk superconductors arranged in series or parallel configurations for efficient energy dissipation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a superconducting coil is used to store energy, then energy storage capability is improved, but specific power decreases due to large mechanical structure
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the energy storage system into two separate components: a bulk superconductor for energy storage and a conventional coil for power delivery. The bulk superconductor stores magnetic energy without the mechanical structure of a coil, while the conventional coil handles the power output, thereby achieving high energy storage capability while maintaining high specific power through the coil's compact design
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a bulk superconductor as an intermediary energy storage medium between the power source and the output coil. This bulk superconductor stores magnetic energy in its bulk material structure rather than in a coil format, allowing the system to decouple energy storage from power delivery mechanics, thus improving specific power while maintaining energy storage capability
2Object-affected harmful factors
If shielding is added to reduce magnetic field interference, then interference with nearby equipment is reduced, but weight and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the magnetic field generation function from the energy storage component. The bulk superconductor stores magnetic energy internally without generating external magnetic fields that require shielding, while any necessary magnetic fields for power delivery are generated by a separate conventional coil that can be independently positioned and shielded if needed, thereby reducing overall device weight and size
Solution Approach 2:
The invention concentrates the magnetic field generation to localized regions where it is actually needed for power delivery, rather than having the entire energy storage system generate widespread magnetic fields. The bulk superconductor stores energy in its bulk material without creating external interference fields, and only the specific coil regions requiring magnetic fields do so, minimizing the need for extensive shielding
3Strength
If coil mass is increased to produce stronger magnetic fields, then magnetic field strength is improved, but device weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention separates the magnetic field strength function from the energy storage function. The bulk superconductor provides the stored magnetic energy without needing to generate strong external fields, while a optimized conventional coil generates the necessary magnetic fields for power delivery only where and when needed, allowing for lighter coil mass while maintaining required magnetic field strength
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The bulk superconductor device achieves higher specific energy and power storage capacity than conventional systems, enabling efficient pulsed-power applications with reduced weight and size, and allows for localized magnetic field confinement, minimizing interference with nearby equipment.
Implementation Method 1
a bulk superconductor disposed within the chamber
Implementation Method 2
receiving, by the bulk superconductor, heat from a heating element proximate to the bulk superconductor
Implementation Method 3
discharging, by the bulk superconductor, at least a portion of the magnetic energy to induce current in a coil
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a chamber and a bulk superconductor disposed within the chamber. The apparatus also includes a heating element coupled to the bulk superconductor.