LCP Inner Cryostat for Long-Distance Superconducting Cables
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current HTS power cable systems face inefficiencies due to metallic alloy cryostats, which cause thermal contraction, pressure losses, turbulence, and increased dimensions, making long-distance deployment economically and technically unfeasible.
Innovation Solution
Employing a liquid crystal polymer (LCP) inner cryostat with low thermal expansion and low thermal conductivity to minimize thermal contraction, reduce pressure losses, and allow for continuous manufacturing and reeling, combined with a smooth bore design to enhance thermal insulation and structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metallic alloy cryostats with corrugated tubing are used to mechanically resist external loading and support HTS cable, then structural strength is improved, but pressure losses in cryogenic fluid flow increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the corrugated tubing by optimizing the corrugation depth, width, and spacing to reduce flow resistance while maintaining structural strength. This allows the cryostat to withstand external mechanical loading without causing excessive pressure losses in the cryogenic fluid flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material construction for the corrugated cryostat, combining materials with different mechanical properties to achieve both high structural strength and low flow resistance. The composite structure allows independent optimization of mechanical support and fluid flow characteristics.
2Stability of the object's composition
If corrugated metallic cryostats are used to accommodate thermal expansion, then thermal expansion is managed, but heat ingress and turbulence in liquid cryogenic fluids increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the corrugations shallower and more spaced out in sections where thermal expansion occurs, while maintaining smooth bore in sections where fluid flow is critical. This localized differentiation reduces turbulence and heat ingress in flow areas while still accommodating thermal expansion in structural areas.
3Volume of moving object
If larger diameter cryostats are used to host multi-layered HTS conductors, then cable hosting capacity is improved, but radiative heat ingress increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses the heat ingress problem by adding dimensional solutions through multi-layer insulation systems and vacuum spaces within the cryostat structure. This allows larger diameter cryostats to host multi-layered HTS conductors while maintaining thermal performance through radial insulation layers.
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
Enables long-distance superconducting cable systems with reduced dimensions, lower manufacturing costs, and improved reliability by minimizing thermal expansion and pressure losses, facilitating continuous manufacturing and deployment.
Implementation Method 1
the liquid crystal polymer cryostat...with low thermal expansion...to minimize thermal contraction
Implementation Method 2
the liquid crystal polymer cryostat...with low thermal conductivity to minimize thermal contraction, reduce pressure losses
Implementation Method 3
Corrugated metallic cryostats resulting in heat ingress, additional turbulence generation in liquid cryogenic fluids and thus additional heat generation, higher pressure losses
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a superconducting cable system designed to facilitate long distance superconducting, the cable system including at least one inner cryostat containing a supply of cryogenic fluid and at least one superconductor extending longitudinally of the inner cryostat and in thermal communication with the cryogenic fluid, the inner cryostat comprising a liquid crystal polymer.