Hybrid Round Superconductor Wire for High Je and Quench Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing round REBCO superconductor wires face limitations in engineering current density (Je) when wound to small diameters and suffer from slow quench propagation, making quench detection difficult.
Innovation Solution
Fabrication of hybrid round superconductor wires using a superconducting wire former, such as Nb—Ti, Nb3Sn, or MgB2, to enhance Je and incorporate quench detection by monitoring current or voltage distribution between the REBCO tapes and the superconductor wire former.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If round REBCO superconductor wires are wound to small diameters, then the wire flexibility and compactness are improved, but the engineering current density (Je) degrades to about 400 A/mm2 at 20 T
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining REBCO tapes with a superconducting wire former (Nb-Ti, Nb3Sn, or MgB2) to create a hybrid round superconductor wire. The wire former provides mechanical support and maintains structural integrity when wound to small diameters, while the REBCO tapes contribute high current-carrying capacity. This composite structure prevents the degradation of Je that occurs when REBCO tapes are wound alone to small diameters, enabling Je levels of 1000-1500 A/mm2 at 20 T to be maintained even in compact configurations.
2Stability of the object's composition
If STAR wires use a copper wire former to avoid performance deterioration, then the structural stability is improved, but the Je is limited because the former occupies 20-30% of the cross-section
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the wire former from non-superconducting copper to superconducting materials (Nb-Ti, Nb3Sn, or MgB2). This parameter change allows the former to actively participate in current transport rather than merely providing mechanical support. The superconducting wire former has negligible electrical resistance, so it does not limit the overall Je of the composite wire. This enables higher Je levels compared to copper-former-based STAR wires, while still providing the necessary structural stability.
3Reliability
If HTS wires are used in magnet applications, then the high field performance is improved, but the slow quench propagation velocity makes quench detection difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the superconducting wire former as an intermediary for quench detection. The wire former is electrically connected along the length of the composite wire, creating a continuous conductive path. When a quench occurs in the REBCO tapes, the change in electrical properties propagates through the system and can be detected by monitoring voltage or current changes in the wire former. This intermediary structure enables effective quench detection in HTS wires while maintaining their superior high-field performance.
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
Achieves significantly higher Je levels of 400-1500 A/mm2 at 4.2 K, 20 T, and enables early quench detection, protecting the magnet from catastrophic failure.
Implementation Method 1
A superconductor wire former and at least one superconductor tape wound on the superconductor wire former
Implementation Method 2
a buffer film stack overlying the substrate; and a superconductor film overlying the buffer film stack
Data Source
AI summary
A round superconductor wire, method for fabricating same, and method for detecting quench in the same are disclosed. A round superconductor wire includes a superconductor wire former and at least one superconductor tape wound on the superconductor wire former. Each superconductor tape includes a substrate, a buffer film stack overlying the substrate, and a superconductor film overlying the buffer film stack.