Superconducting Cable Connection Structure with Segmented Vacuum Insulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional superconducting cable connection structures face issues with heat invasion and limited adjustable length due to the use of metal tubes for thermal insulation, which leads to increased work time and degradation of vacuum quality during assembly and operation.
Innovation Solution
A connection structure for superconducting cables featuring corrugated thermal insulation tubes with vacuum outlets and a bellows tube design that reduces heat invasion and allows for adjustable lengths, incorporating switching valves for efficient vacuuming and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metal tubes are used for thermal insulation in superconducting cables, then durability against temperature changes is improved, but heat conductivity increases causing heat penetration from external tube to internal tube
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal insulation tube is divided into multiple sections with vacuum-insulated partitions between them. Each partition creates a separate vacuum chamber that blocks heat conduction paths, while the metal tubes maintain structural integrity and durability against temperature changes.
Solution Approach 2:
Vacuum partitions act as intermediary elements between the internal and external metal tubes. These vacuum-filled partitions serve as thermal barriers that prevent direct heat conduction through the metal tube walls while maintaining the mechanical strength and durability of the overall structure.
2Device complexity
If vacuum part is not sectioned and all vacuum parts are connected, then structure is simplified, but vacuum quality degrades due to outgassing from thermal insulation layer
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous vacuum space is segmented into multiple isolated vacuum chambers by vacuum partitions. This segmentation prevents outgassing from one section from affecting the entire vacuum system, maintaining high vacuum quality in each isolated chamber while providing manageable modular sections.
3Adaptability or versatility
If sectioned vacuum structure is used with partition close to thermal insulation container entrance, then adjustable cable length is enabled, but heat invasion increases through the partition
Solution Approach 1:
The cable is divided into modular sections with vacuum partitions that can be positioned at different locations. This segmentation enables adjustable cable lengths by selectively assembling different numbers of sections, while each partition maintains thermal insulation to minimize heat invasion regardless of its position.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum partition structure is designed to be dynamically adjustable in position along the cable length. This allows the partition to be placed optimally for different cable length requirements while maintaining effective thermal insulation performance through the vacuum barrier.
4Ease of operation
If conventional connection structure is used, then assembly is simplified, but work time increases due to need to break and restore vacuum during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The connection structure uses pre-sealed vacuum partitions that create isolated vacuum chambers. This allows intermediate connecting parts to be assembled without breaking the vacuum in the cable sections, as each vacuum chamber remains sealed independently, significantly reducing assembly time while maintaining vacuum integrity.
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 effectively reduces heat invasion, allows for adjustable cable lengths, and enhances vacuum integrity, improving thermal insulation and reducing work time during assembly and maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
the thermal insulation tube and the intermediate connecting part are provided with vacuum outlets, respectively, for vacuuming respective insides thereof
Implementation Method 2
thermal insulation tube with a double tube structure constituted of an internal tube and an external tube, between which multilayer thermal insulator is interposed and vacuumed
Implementation Method 3
a cooling medium such as liquid nitrogen is circulated inside the internal tube, and thus transmitted electric current flows in the superconducting conductor layers at a very low temperature
Implementation Method 4
a superconducting wire that can be in a superconducting state at cryogenic temperatures as a conductor
Data Source
AI summary
A thermal insulation tube has a double-structure including a thermal insulation internal tube and a thermal insulation external tube, an intermediate connecting part has a double-structure including an outer container and an inner container, the internal tube and the external tube penetrate through a wall surface of the outer container and are introduced at least up to a wall surface of the inner container, a region between the internal tube and the external tube is sealed by joining an end to be introduced of the internal tube and an end to be introduced of the external tube, at an introduction portion of the external tube to be positioned on an inner side of a wall surface of the outer container, and a corrugated tubular part has a tube wall thinner than the external tube outside of the wall surface.