Partitioned Superconducting Cable Joint to Minimize Eddy Currents
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing superconducting cable joints face challenges in maintaining low electrical resistance and mechanical robustness, especially in high-temperature superconducting cables operating in time-varying magnetic fields, which leads to joule heating due to induced eddy currents and mechanical stress.
Innovation Solution
A partitioned cable joint design featuring distributed joint elements with dielectric material and malleable metal interfaces, allowing for low resistance connections and mechanical robustness, while minimizing eddy currents and accommodating thermal cycling, with the ability to be demounted for reuse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a joint structure is used to connect superconducting cables, then electrical connection is achieved, but electrical resistance increases causing joule heating
Solution Approach 1:
The joint is divided into multiple discrete joint elements (e.g., joint blocks or joint members) rather than a single continuous structure. Each joint element contacts only a specific petal or segment of the superconducting cable, creating multiple distributed contact points. This segmentation reduces the overall resistance by distributing current across multiple parallel paths while minimizing the resistance contribution of each individual contact interface.
2Loss of energy
If joint elements are distributed to reduce resistance, then electrical resistance decreases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each joint element is designed as a universal component that can connect to multiple different cable configurations and petal arrangements. The joint elements have standardized mounting regions and contact surfaces that accommodate various superconducting cable types and geometries. This multi-functionality allows the same basic joint element design to be used throughout the entire joint structure, simplifying manufacturing and assembly despite the distributed nature of the connection.
3Strength
If the joint encloses large area, then mechanical robustness increases, but eddy currents increase causing heating
Solution Approach 1:
The joint structure is segmented into multiple discrete joint elements spaced apart from each other, rather than forming a continuous large-area enclosure. This segmentation breaks up potential eddy current paths while maintaining mechanical strength through the distributed arrangement of joint elements. The spacing between joint elements prevents the formation of large closed conductive loops that would trap magnetic flux and generate eddy currents.
4Ease of manufacture
If joint elements contact multiple petals, then manufacturing is simplified, but electrical resistance increases due to current paths
Solution Approach 1:
Each joint element is designed to contact only a single petal or specific segment of the superconducting cable, rather than spanning multiple petals. This segmentation ensures that current flows through dedicated, well-defined paths with minimal resistance. The simplified manufacturing is achieved not by having each element contact multiple petals, but by using identical or standardized joint element designs that can be repeatedly fabricated and assembled in a systematic pattern along the cable.
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 solution achieves low electrical resistance (<10 nano-ohms) and high mechanical robustness, reducing joule heating and eddy currents, and allows for simple, cost-effective fabrication and demountable joints, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of superconducting cable connections.
Implementation Method 1
a dielectric material disposed between the plurality of joint elements to electrically isolate each joint element from each of the other joint elements
Implementation Method 2
a malleable metal disposed in a mounting surface of the first and second mounting regions of the plurality of joint elements such that in response to a cable being disposed in the mounting region, the malleable metal deforms to form a continuous, contiguous interface layer
Implementation Method 3
minimal area enclosed by high conductivity electrical paths, as these closed conductive loops 'catch' magnetic flux and large eddy currents are induced, heating the joint
Implementation Method 4
a compression structure configured to compresses a first conductor into a first mounting region and a second conductor into a second mounting region
Data Source
AI summary
Described is a partitioned cable joint comprising a plurality of physically distributed joint elements with the plurality of joint elements taken together defining a joint length. Joint elements may have a first mounting region having a shape selected to accept one petal of superconducting cable and a second mounting region having a shape selected to accept one petal of a second conductor.