Multicore Superconducting Cable Layout for Lightweight Propulsion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional superconducting cables have a complex coaxial structure that increases weight, making them unsuitable for lightweight and compact electric propulsion systems, particularly in aircraft applications where high current transmission is required.
Innovation Solution
A superconducting cable design featuring a multi-core structure with tape-shaped superconducting coated conductors and a single-pipe thermal insulation system, reducing the overall weight and complexity while maintaining high current-carrying capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a coaxial structure with insulating inner pipe and insulating outer pipe is used, then thermal insulation performance is improved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the insulating outer pipe from the conventional double-pipe coaxial structure, retaining only the insulating inner pipe. This simplifies the cable structure while maintaining the essential thermal insulation function between the coolant and the cable core, directly resolving the contradiction between thermal insulation performance and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the cable into distinct functional components: the cable core with superconducting stacked conductors, the insulating inner pipe for thermal insulation and coolant circulation, and eliminates the redundant insulating outer pipe. This segmentation approach simplifies the overall structure while preserving critical functions
2Temperature
If a coaxial structure with multiple insulating layers is used, then thermal insulation performance is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the insulating outer pipe from the double-pipe structure, eliminating the weight of this component while maintaining thermal insulation through the insulating inner pipe alone. This directly addresses the weight reduction requirement for aircraft propulsion systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the functions of thermal insulation and coolant circulation into a single insulating inner pipe structure, eliminating the need for a separate insulating outer pipe. This merging of functions reduces overall cable weight while maintaining thermal performance
3Power
If a complex coaxial structure is used, then current-carrying capacity is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the insulating outer pipe from the conventional coaxial structure, simplifying the cable design while maintaining the current-carrying capacity through the optimized cable core with superconducting stacked conductors arranged in a multi-core configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a conventional single-core coaxial structure to a multi-core structure with stacked conductors arranged in multiple dimensions within the insulating inner pipe. This dimensional reorganization maintains current-carrying capacity while simplifying the overall cable structure
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 design achieves a significant weight reduction of approximately 1/3 compared to conventional cables, enabling efficient and lightweight power transmission for electric propulsion systems, reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
Implementation Method 1
superconducting cables that use superconducting coated conductors as conductors at cryogenic temperatures, allowing high current transmission with low loss
Implementation Method 2
a thermal insulation pipe having an internal space for circulating a coolant during use
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided are a superconducting cable that can be simplified in overall structure and reduced in weight while large-current conducting performance is ensured, and an electric propulsion system comprising the superconducting cable. This superconducting cable comprises: a heat-insulating pipe having an interior space in which a refrigerant is circulated during use; and a plurality of superconducting laminated conductors, each of which is a laminate in which a plurality of tape-form superconducting wires are laminated, the superconducting laminated conductors being insulated from each other and being arranged in a multicore structure within the interior space.