Leadless Power Coupling for Cryogenic Loads Without Feedthrough Heat
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional techniques for powering large loads in cryogenic environments, such as server farms, require heavy and large cables and bus bars, necessitating reinforced structures and inefficient heat management due to metallic feedthroughs.
Innovation Solution
The use of a leadless power coupler that employs a first electrically conductive winding outside a thermal insulating system to create a varying magnetic field, which induces currents in superconducting windings inside the system, eliminating the need for metallic feedthroughs and allowing for efficient power distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional cables and bus bars are used to distribute large quantities of electric power, then power distribution capability is improved, but weight and structural requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical electrical connection system (cables and bus bars) with an electromagnetic induction system. A primary winding at ambient temperature generates a varying magnetic field that induces current in secondary superconducting windings inside the cryogenic environment, eliminating the need for heavy physical conductors to cross the thermal boundary.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a thermal insulating system with a non-conductive wall as an intermediary barrier between the ambient temperature primary winding and the cryogenic secondary windings. This allows magnetic field coupling while preventing thermal conduction and electrical conduction across the boundary.
2Reliability
If metallic feedthroughs are used to conduct power across thermal boundaries, then electrical connection is improved, but heat conduction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the direct metallic electrical connection (feedthrough) with an indirect electromagnetic coupling mechanism. The varying magnetic field generated by the primary winding induces current in the secondary windings without requiring physical electrical contact across the thermal boundary, thereby eliminating the heat conduction path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the electrical connection function from the thermal conduction path. By using electromagnetic induction through a non-conductive wall, the system achieves electrical power transfer while removing the metallic pathway that would otherwise conduct heat from the ambient environment into the cryogenic system.
3Power
If heavy cables and bus bars are installed to support large power loads, then power distribution is improved, but building structure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the heavy mechanical support structure requirements with a lightweight electromagnetic coupling system. The primary winding at ambient temperature can be supported by conventional structures, while the secondary superconducting windings inside the cryogenic environment require minimal structural support due to their lightweight construction and the elimination of heavy cable routing.
4Power
If conventional power distribution methods are used in cryogenic environments, then power delivery is improved, but heat generation and cooling requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electrical resistance parameter by using superconducting materials for the secondary windings inside the cryogenic environment. Superconductors have zero electrical resistance, eliminating I²R heat losses that would occur in conventional conductors. The primary winding operates at ambient temperature with standard conductors, while the superconducting secondary windings efficiently receive power without generating heat.
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 enables the efficient transfer of large quantities of power across thermal insulating systems without heat conduction, reducing weight, size, and heat generation, thus lowering air conditioning requirements and equipment expenses.
Implementation Method 1
a first electrically conductive winding located outside of the first thermal insulating system, where the first electrically conductive winding is configured to create a varying magnetic field
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of second electrically conductive windings located inside the first thermal insulating system (e.g., located inside the cavity) and configured to couple to the varying magnetic field
Implementation Method 3
a first thermal insulating system having a wall defining a cavity therebetween
Data Source
AI summary
In examples, provided are leadless power couplers that include (1) a thermal insulating system having an outer wall and an inner wall, (2) a first electrically conductive winding located outside the thermal insulating system, where the first electrically conductive winding is configured to create a varying magnetic field, (3) a plurality of second electrically conductive windings located inside the thermal insulating system and configured to couple to the varying magnetic field, the plurality of second electrically conductive windings being superconductors, (4) a plurality of cryogenic rectifiers, each cryogenic rectifier being coupled to a respective second electrically conductive winding in the plurality of second electrically conductive windings, and (5) a plurality of cryogenic cables coupled between respective outputs of the plurality of cryogenic rectifiers and respective loads.