HTS Component Quench Control via Local Shunt Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
High temperature superconductor (HTS) components face thermo-mechanical issues leading to uncontrolled hot-spot formation and destruction due to material inhomogeneities, which existing solutions fail to address effectively without covering the entire surface with a shunt, causing circular currents and heat impairment.
Innovation Solution
A bulk HTS component with regions of reduced wall thickness and strategically placed depressions, where an electrical shunt is integrated to divert excessive current and prevent hot-spot formation, utilizing materials like copper-nickel alloys for efficient current commutation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the whole surface of the hts component is covered by a shunt to prevent hot-spot formation, then protection against hot-spot formation is improved, but circular currents are induced in the shunt material generating magnetic field and heat which impair performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing shunt material only in specific regions where inhomogeneities are present, rather than covering the entire surface. The shunt is strategically placed in regions with blowholes, blisters, pores, or other defects where hot-spot formation is most likely to occur, while leaving other regions without shunt coverage to avoid circular current issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The shunt coverage is segmented into discrete regions rather than being continuous. The shunt material is applied in separate segments corresponding to specific defect locations, allowing protection where needed while minimizing the total shunt area that could generate harmful circular currents.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If no shunt is provided to avoid circular currents, then performance impairment from circular currents is avoided, but hot-spot formation and local burn-out cannot be prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The solution implements local quality by applying shunt material selectively only in regions with inhomogeneities rather than uniformly across the entire component. This targeted approach provides necessary protection against hot-spots in vulnerable areas while avoiding the generation of harmful circular currents in shunt-free regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The shunt material is extracted from being a universal covering and is instead applied only where specifically needed - in regions containing inhomogeneities. This extraction principle removes the shunt from areas where it would create harmful effects while retaining it in areas where it provides necessary protection.
3Ease of operation
If hts material with inhomogeneities carries current, then current flow through the component is achieved, but regions with inhomogeneities locally change to normal conducting state causing avalanching and hot-spot formation
Solution Approach 1:
The shunt material is applied in advance to regions with inhomogeneities to prevent the harmful effect of hot-spot formation. By pre-equipping vulnerable regions with alternative current paths before operation begins, the system prevents the avalanching effect that would otherwise occur when current flows through defective areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The shunt material acts as an intermediary element that provides an alternative current path through regions with inhomogeneities. Instead of current flowing directly through the defective hts material which would cause hot-spots, the shunt mediates the current flow, offering a safer pathway that prevents local burn-out.
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 solution effectively prevents hot-spot formation and material damage by creating a controlled quenching mechanism, reducing the risk of thermo-mechanical stress and maintaining performance without inducing circular currents or heat issues, suitable for various HTS applications.
Implementation Method 1
an electrical shunt is integrated to divert excessive current and prevent hot-spot formation
Implementation Method 2
high temperature superconductors are characterized by their property to carry current without losses when cooled below a temperature specific to the respective high temperature superconductor material, said temperature being termed critical temperature
Implementation Method 3
On temperature raise the hts-material undergoes a transition to its normal conducting state, said transition being called 'quenching'
Implementation Method 4
The locally increasing resistance in these regions results in an excessive increase of the current flow in the surrounding superconducting areas of the hts-material. Said local current increase is associated with the generation of heat
Implementation Method 5
utilizing materials like copper-nickel alloys for efficient current commutation
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a quench controlled high temperature superconductor component wherein at least one depression is provided in a surface of the component resulting in a reduced wall thickness, and, wherein an electrical shunt is applied into the depression.