Cruciform Superconducting Conductor for High Current Density
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing superconductive conductors face challenges in achieving high current densities, mechanical stability, and efficient cooling while maintaining a compact form, especially when used in high-power applications and magnetic field generation, due to limitations in current production methods for high-temperature superconductor tapes.
Innovation Solution
A superconductive conductor with a cruciform cross-section is created by stacking conductive tapes of two different widths, which are soldered together to form a cross-shaped superconductor body, enhancing current density and mechanical stability, and can be further protected with a cladding tube or metal wires for additional stability and conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional rectangular superconductor strips are stacked to form a cable, then the current carrying capacity increases, but the cooling efficiency decreases due to larger volume and poor thermal contact
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transforms the conventional rectangular cross-section into a cruciform (cross-shaped) cross-section by stacking superconductor strips perpendicular to each other. This dimensional change optimizes the geometry to minimize cooling volume while maintaining current carrying capacity, improving thermal contact between strips and coolant.
2Power
If high current densities are achieved by increasing the number of superconductor strips, then the power density increases, but the mechanical stability decreases due to increased electromagnetic forces and thermal cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a composite structure combining superconductor strips with copper stabilizer material. The copper provides mechanical stability and thermal management while the superconductor carries the high current density. This composite approach balances power density requirements with mechanical stability under electromagnetic forces and thermal cycling.
3Power
If the volume to be cooled is minimized to achieve high current densities, then the power density increases, but the mechanical support and thermal management become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The copper stabilizer material serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support for the compact cruciform structure, enables thermal management through heat conduction, and maintains electrical stability. This multi-functionality allows minimized cooling volume while maintaining ease of mechanical support and thermal management.
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 cruciform design improves the utilization of the cross-sectional area, increasing current-carrying capacity and current density, while maintaining mechanical stability and ease of manufacturing, and allows for efficient cooling and flexibility in high-power applications and magnetic field generation.
Implementation Method 1
Superconductors are materials whose electrical resistance completely disappears below a certain temperature. Consequently, superconductors have no electrical DC losses if they are operated at sufficiently low temperatures.
Implementation Method 2
each two conductive strips which follow one another in the strip stack are soldered to one another, so that a superconductor body is formed from the strip stack
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a superconducting conductor (100), to a method, and to a use of the superconducting conductor (100). The superconducting conductor (100) comprises a plurality of first conductive strips (1), which each have a first width; a plurality of second conductive strips (2), which each have a second width; wherein the first width differs from the second width, wherein the plurality of first conductive strips (1) and/or the plurality of second conductive strips (2) comprises at least one superconductor, wherein the plurality of first conductive strips (1) and/or the plurality of second conductive strips (2) are arranged in a strip stack (30) having a cross-shaped cross-section, and wherein in each case two successive conductive strips in the strip stack (30) are soldered to one another, such that a superconductor body (40) is formed out of the strip stack (30).