Clad Lightweight Cryogenic Conductors for High-Current Transmission

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional conductors lack the necessary lightweight and ductile properties required for high gravimetric power density applications at cryogenic temperatures, where they experience a decrease in electrical performance.

Innovation Solution

Development of cryogenic wires with a conductor having a mass density of 5000 kg/m3 or less, clad with a ductile and malleable metal, such as lithium, beryllium, or copper, which maintains high electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity across varying temperatures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If conventional conductors (such as copper wires) are used, then electrical conductivity is maintained, but weight is excessive and ductility is insufficient for high gravimetric power density applications

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveweightVSAvoidelectrical performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameters by selecting conductors with density ≤5000 kg/m³ (such as aluminum, magnesium, titanium, or their alloys) instead of conventional copper (density ≈8960 kg/m³). This parameter change achieves weight reduction while maintaining acceptable electrical conductivity, particularly at cryogenic temperatures where the performance gap between conventional and lightweight materials narrows.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite structure by combining lightweight conductor materials with cladding materials. The conductor core provides low density and adequate conductivity, while the cladding layer (made of ductile and malleable metals) provides mechanical protection and enhanced ductility. This composite approach resolves the contradiction between weight reduction and mechanical reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Weight of moving object

If lightweight conductor materials are used, then weight is reduced, but mechanical ductility and malleability are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveweightVSAvoidductility

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite structure where the lightweight conductor (core) is surrounded by a cladding of ductile and malleable metal. The cladding material compensates for the poor ductility of lightweight conductor materials, enabling the wire to be drawn, bent, and formed during manufacturing without breaking the core conductor. This allows lightweight materials to be processed using conventional wire drawing techniques.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The cladding material acts as an intermediary between the lightweight conductor core and the external environment/manufacturing processes. It provides a protective interface that allows mechanical working (drawing, bending, forming) to be applied to the core without directly stressing the brittle lightweight material, thereby enabling ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If conventional conductors are used at cryogenic temperatures, then structural integrity is maintained, but electrical conductivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical conductivityVSAvoidcryogenic temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent exploits the temperature-dependent electrical conductivity parameter. At cryogenic temperatures (below 77K), the electrical conductivity of lightweight materials like aluminum and magnesium improves significantly, reducing the performance gap with copper. The patent specifies operation at temperatures below 77K to take advantage of this parameter change and achieve high gravimetric power density.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 cryogenic wires enable high current transmission with minimal electrical losses at cryogenic temperatures, suitable for applications like electric power transmission, cryogenic electronics, and quantum computing, while maintaining mechanical integrity and chemical stability.

Implementation Method 1

The cryogenic wires enable high current transmission with minimal electrical losses at cryogenic temperatures

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

a cladding material disposed around the conductor, the cladding material comprising a ductile and malleable metal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS20240212884A1Lightweight cryogenic conductors and methods of making and use thereof

Publication Date: 2024.06.27 GEORGIA TECH RES CORP

AI summary

Disclosed herein are cryogenic wires and methods of making and use thereof. For example, disclosed herein are cryogenic wires comprising a conductor having a mass density of 5000 kg/m3 or less; and a cladding material disposed around the conductor, the cladding material comprising a ductile and malleable metal, wherein the conductor comprises lithium, beryllium, calcium, sodium, magnesium, titanium, or a combination thereof. In some examples, the conductor comprises lithium or an alloy thereof, beryllium or an alloy thereof, calcium or an alloy thereof, sodium or an alloy thereof, magnesium or an alloy thereof, titanium or an alloy thereof, or a combination thereof.