Corrugated Superconductor Seam for Current Load Capacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Superconductor structures with spliced strip pieces experience limited current capacity and significant power loss at splice points due to the gap or splice point geometry, making them inefficient for high-current applications.
Innovation Solution
A superconductor structure with a seam that extends in the longitudinal direction, featuring a path length at least twice as long as the widths of the strip pieces, and having a wavy or jagged course with multiple direction changes, including sections where the second and third strip pieces overlap, to reduce ohmic losses and increase current load capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If strip pieces are connected via a gap or splice point, then the superconductor structure can be assembled from limited-length tapes, but the current capacity is limited and power loss occurs at the splice point
Solution Approach 1:
The seam is designed with a wavy or corrugated course instead of a straight line, creating multiple direction changes and increasing the path length. This curvature allows the seam to extend over a longer distance PL between the abutting ends of the second and third strip pieces, reducing the current density and ohmic losses at the splice point while still connecting the strip pieces effectively
Solution Approach 2:
The seam extends not only in the longitudinal direction but also incorporates transverse components through its wavy or corrugated path. This multi-dimensional approach increases the effective path length PL available for current flow, distributing the current more evenly and reducing power loss at the connection point
2Ease of manufacture
If strip pieces are connected with a straight gap, then the fabrication is simple, but the current load capacity is markedly limited
Solution Approach 1:
The wavy or corrugated seam design increases the path length PL available for current flow, which distributes current density more evenly across the connection region. This enhances the current load capacity by reducing hot spots and localized overheating that would occur with a straight, concentrated seam
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the seam from a straight line to a wavy or corrugated path with multiple direction changes. This parameter change increases the path length PL while maintaining reasonable fabrication complexity, thereby improving current load capacity without excessively complicating the manufacturing process
3Loss of energy
If the seam has a long path length PL, then the current density is reduced and power loss decreases, but the fabrication complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wavy or corrugated seam geometry provides a longer path length PL within a compact area, reducing current density and Joulean heat generation. The regular repeating pattern of waves or corrugations achieves this lengthening effect without requiring complex irregular shapes, balancing geometric complexity with manufacturing feasibility
Solution Approach 2:
The seam structure uses simple, easily fabricable geometric patterns (waves, corrugations) that can be created through standard manufacturing techniques. These simple geometric forms achieve the desired long path length effect without requiring complex, expensive, or difficult-to-manufacture structures
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 design significantly reduces Joulean heat generation and enhances the critical current strength of the superconductor structure, allowing for higher current load capacity and efficient current transfer between strip pieces, especially when the load current exceeds the critical current of individual strip pieces.
Implementation Method 1
a first strip piece with a first width B1, a second strip piece with a second width B2, and a third strip piece with a third width B3, wherein the strip pieces each have a substrate and a superconducting layer deposited on the substrate
Implementation Method 2
an end section of the second strip piece and an end section of the third strip piece are connected to the first strip piece via a layer made from a first normally conducting material
Implementation Method 3
the seam has a path length PL with PL>2*B2 and PL>2*B3... significantly reduces Joulean heat generation
Data Source
AI summary
A superconductor structure (10, 20, 30), having a first strip piece (1), a second strip piece (2) and a third strip piece (3). Each strip piece has a substrate (5) and a superconducting layer (6) deposited thereon. End sections of the second and third strip pieces are connected via a layer (7) made of a first normally conducting material to the first strip piece, the second and third strip pieces overlap with the first strip piece, the superconducting layers of the second and third strip pieces face the superconducting layer of the first strip piece, and a seam (4, 23, 24) with a defined path length is formed between the end sections of the second and third strip pieces. The seam extends over an extension region (8) of the superconductor structure. Splicing strip pieces together in this manner achieves a high current load capacity.