HTS Junction Box Interface for Naval Degaussing Coil Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual soldering process for joining individual conductors in high-temperature superconductive (HTS) wire bundles is time-consuming, labor-intensive, prone to errors, and difficult to locate and repair, especially in the challenging environment of a naval ship's hull.
Innovation Solution
An electrical interface device with a substrate and embedded HTS interface conductors that serially join individual HTS wire bundle conductors to form a multi-turn winding, facilitating efficient and error-reduced connections within a junction box, utilizing a refrigeration unit to maintain superconductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual soldering is used to join individual conductors in HTS wire bundles, then connections can be made, but the process is time-consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pre-assembled multi-conductor cable as an intermediary component that replaces individual HTS wire bundles. This multi-conductor cable already contains multiple conductors joined together through automated processes, serving as a mediator between the HTS wire bundles and the final electrical connection, thereby eliminating the need for manual soldering of individual conductors
Solution Approach 2:
The conductors within the multi-conductor cable are joined together in advance through automated manufacturing processes before installation. This preliminary action of pre-joining conductors eliminates the need for time-consuming manual soldering operations during ship installation, significantly improving productivity and reducing labor requirements
2Reliability
If manual soldering is used to join individual conductors, then connections can be made, but errors are prone and difficult to locate and repair
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-conductor cable acts as an intermediary that encapsulates all conductor connections within a single standardized component. This intermediary structure provides uniform connection points and standardized interfaces, making it easier to identify and replace faulty connections without complex troubleshooting of individual solder joints
Solution Approach 2:
The patent treats the multi-conductor cable as a replaceable modular component. If connection errors or failures occur, the entire multi-conductor cable can be quickly replaced as a single unit rather than attempting to locate and repair specific faulty solder joints, significantly improving ease of repair and reducing maintenance time
3Use of energy by moving object
If large diameter conventional copper or aluminum wires are used, then high current requirements are met, but the cables become heavy and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of conductor material from conventional copper or aluminum to high-temperature superconducting materials. This parameter change enables the conductors to carry high currents with significantly reduced resistance, allowing for thinner, lighter cable designs while maintaining or exceeding the current carrying capacity of traditional large-diameter cables
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite superconducting materials that combine multiple layers and components (superconducting core, stabilizing layers, protective coatings) to achieve both high current carrying capacity and reduced weight. These composite structures provide the necessary electrical performance while maintaining a compact, lightweight form factor
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
This solution significantly reduces the time and labor required for connecting HTS wire bundles, minimizes errors, and enhances the reliability of the degaussing system by providing a more efficient and flexible method for forming multi-turn windings, improving the overall performance and maintenance of naval ship degaussing systems.
Implementation Method 1
HTS wire bundles afford greater flexibility, reduced weight, and high current carrying capacity
Implementation Method 2
a material that can maintain superconducting behavior at temperatures of 20 K and higher (i.e., critical temperature, Tc ≥ 20 K)
Implementation Method 3
By controlling the electric current flowing through the degaussing coils, the magnetic field generated by the ship's hull can be controlled and even 'canceled'
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3~4
AI summary
A junction box (14) is provided which allows serial connection of the individual conductors (3) of at least one high temperature superconductor (HTS) wire bundle (2). The junction box includes an electrical interface device (3) disposed within a junction box housing. The interface device is configured receive both ends of each conductor of each HTS wire bundle, and to provide a superconductive electrical connection between respective first ends of conductors to respective second ends of other wire bundle conductors to form at least one superconductive multi-turn electromagnetic winding.