Multiphase Coaxial Superconducting Cable Degaussing Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Superconducting degaussing systems face challenges in making reliable and low-resistive connections between superconducting tapes, which are fragile and inconveniently shaped, requiring many connections and potentially increasing heat load with higher current levels.
Innovation Solution
The use of coaxially wound multiphase superconducting cables with electrically insulating materials and non-superconducting conductive strips, configured to minimize the number of connections and ensure consistent tape orientation, reducing fragility and improving current paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If higher current levels are passed through degaussing cables to reduce the number of turns, then the magnetic field strength is improved, but the heat load into the cryogenic system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cable is segmented into multiple phases (typically three phases) with each phase containing multiple superconducting tapes. This segmentation allows the current to be distributed across multiple parallel paths, enabling higher total current capacity while maintaining lower current per individual tape, thus reducing heat load per connection point.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-phase configuration to a multiphase coaxial configuration, adding a dimensional aspect to the current distribution. Multiple phases are wound coaxially around the same core, creating a three-dimensional current distribution that increases current capacity without proportionally increasing heat load at any single connection point.
2Force
If many superconducting tapes are bundled together to generate sufficient magnetic field, then the magnetic field strength is improved, but the cable becomes more fragile and harder to install
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple superconducting tapes are merged into a single integrated cable structure by winding them coaxially around a common core. The tapes are bonded together with adhesive and enclosed in a protective sheath, creating a unified composite structure that maintains the magnetic field generation capability of multiple tapes while providing the mechanical strength of a single cable.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable employs composite material construction with superconducting tapes, metallic substrates, adhesive bonds, and protective sheathing. This composite structure combines the electrical properties of superconducting materials with the mechanical properties of structural materials, achieving both high magnetic field generation and adequate mechanical strength for installation and operation.
3Reliability
If many connections are made to join superconducting tapes in series, then the current loop continuity is achieved, but the reliability decreases due to more potential failure points
Solution Approach 1:
The cable is segmented into multiple phases, where each phase contains multiple tapes connected in series. The phases themselves are connected in parallel, creating a modular structure. This segmentation reduces the total number of connections required compared to a single-phase configuration with the same current capacity, as connections are distributed across parallel phases rather than requiring all tapes to be connected in a single long series chain.
4Reliability
If superconducting tapes are wound with superconducting film facing the connecting structure, then low resistance current paths are achieved, but the tapes must be precisely oriented which increases manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of winding tapes with the superconducting film facing outward toward the connecting structure, the invention inverts the orientation so that the superconducting film faces inward toward the core. The metallic substrate faces outward, providing a robust connection surface. This inversion maintains low resistance current paths through the superconducting film while simplifying the connection process, as the metallic substrate provides a larger, more tolerant connection surface than the thin superconducting film.
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 configuration enhances the flexibility and reliability of the cables, reduces the number of connections needed, and maintains low resistance while handling higher currents without excessive heat load, improving the installation and operation of degaussing systems.
Implementation Method 1
each cable is connected to carry a relatively low electrical current of about 100 A. By increasing the number of turns in the wound coils, the current (Amperes) multiplied by the number of turns is increased, thereby increasing the magnetic field generated when an electrical current flows through the cables.
Implementation Method 2
The inside of the cryostat and, thus, the bundle of superconducting tapes, is cooled with flowing helium gas that is cooled to cryogenic temperatures.
Implementation Method 3
Superconducting degaussing systems have included coils in which each turn is formed by a thin superconducting tape.
Data Source
AI summary
A superconducting cable and connection structure includes one or more superconducting cables. Each cable has superconducting tapes wound about a former in a plurality of phases. Superconducting tapes of a first phase extends further toward a distal end of each cable end than the superconducting tapes of the second phase. The first and second cable ends of one superconducting cable (or a first end of a first superconducting cable and a second end of a second superconducting cable) are arranged with the first phase of the second cable end electronically coupled to the second phase of the first cable end. Connector structures may couple the cable ends together. The cable(s) form one or more loops within a cryostat, to form a degaussing coil.