HTS Pulsed-Power Bootstrap Charging for High Magnetic Fields
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pulsed-power systems, such as compulsators, are limited by the magnetic field strength they can generate, which restricts their ability to produce high-specific-power motors and generators due to heating and mechanical constraints, typically capping the magnetic field at around 3 Tesla.
Innovation Solution
The integration of high-temperature superconductors (HTS) within pulsed-power systems, utilizing bootstrap charging between linked devices to enhance the trapped magnetic fields, allowing for significantly higher magnetic fields and increased specific power densities, thereby enabling the creation of more powerful devices with reduced size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional compulsators with brushed field windings are used, then the system structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the magnetic field strength is limited to about 3 Tesla due to heating and mechanical constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from conventional copper field windings to high-temperature superconductors (HTS), which fundamentally alters the magnetic field generation capability. HTS materials can sustain much higher current densities without resistive heating, enabling magnetic fields exceeding 3 Tesla while maintaining mechanical integrity. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by transitioning to a material regime where both high magnetic field strength and manufacturability can be achieved.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite structures combining HTS materials with appropriate substrates and cooling systems. The HTS field windings are integrated with cryogenic cooling infrastructure and structural supports to create a composite system that overcomes the limitations of conventional materials. This composite approach enables sustained high magnetic fields while managing thermal and mechanical stresses, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and magnetic field strength.
2Strength
If external equipment is used to create magnetic fields for HTS charging, then the magnetic field strength can be increased, but the system size and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the charging function with the operational function by using the pulsed-power device's own armature coil to charge the HTS field windings. Instead of separate external charging equipment, the armature coil serves dual purposes: generating output power and charging the HTS magnets during non-operational phases. This merging eliminates external charging equipment and reduces system complexity while maintaining high magnetic field capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The armature coil is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as the power-generating component during operation and as the charging magnet during idle phases. This universal component performs multiple functions within a single element, eliminating the need for separate charging equipment and reducing overall system complexity. The same coil that generates pulsed power also provides the magnetic field necessary for HTS charging, resolving the contradiction between magnetic field strength and device complexity.
3Power
If conventional field windings are used, then the system size is manageable, but the specific power density is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental operating parameters by using HTS materials that can sustain higher current densities and magnetic fields. This parameter change enables higher specific power density because the HTS field windings can generate stronger magnetic fields in the same volume or smaller volumes, directly increasing the power-to-size ratio. The ability to operate at higher magnetic field strengths without proportional increases in system size resolves the contradiction between specific power and system volume.
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 use of HTS in pulsed-power systems significantly increases power density, enabling the development of high-specific-power motors and generators, reducing system size and enabling applications in mobile platforms with space and weight constraints.
Implementation Method 1
The rotor is spun up to operational speed, which induces a voltage in an associated armature coil to create a pulsed current
Implementation Method 2
The pulsed current is routed to an armature coil of a second pulsed-power device to induce a magnetic field around the armature coil
Implementation Method 3
A HTS mounted on the rotor of the second pulsed-power device is subjected to the magnetic field, and in turn, receives a partial charge
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems provide pulsed-power to a load utilizing high temperature superconductors (HTS) within multiple pulsed-power devices. According to embodiments described herein, each pulsed-power device includes a HTS mounted on a rotor and an armature coil mounted on a stator. The rotor is positioned to allow a magnetic field within the HTS to induce a voltage in the armature coil when the rotor is rotating and to allow a magnetic field created by passing current through the armature coil to charge the HTS. Current created from the operation of a first pulsed-power device is routed to the armature coil in a second pulsed-power device to charge the associated HTS to a higher value. Subsequently, the second pulsed-power device is operated to produce current that is used to further charge the HTS in the first pulsed-power device. This bootstrapping procedure is repeated until all HTSs are fully charged.