Superconducting Tape Cable with Conductive Cushioning Layer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Superconducting tapes, such as those made from rare-earth barium copper oxide (REBCO), are brittle and prone to degradation due to mechanical stress and strain, limiting the applications and performance of superconducting cables.

Innovation Solution

A cable construction method involving a flexible core with a conductive layer, where superconducting tape is helically wrapped and in direct contact with the conductive material, and tension control is applied to minimize mechanical stress, ensuring each layer is cushioned and electrically stabilized.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If superconducting tape is used in cable construction, then electrical transmission capability is improved, but mechanical brittleness causes degradation under stress

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecurrent carrying capabilityVSAvoidresistance to mechanical stress

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A flexible conductive layer is introduced as an intermediary between the superconducting tape and the cable structure. This layer acts as a mediator that provides mechanical cushioning and stress distribution, protecting the brittle superconducting tape from direct mechanical stress while maintaining electrical conductivity for current carrying capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible conductive layer is positioned beforehand to surround and support the superconducting tape. This cushioning layer is designed to absorb and distribute mechanical stresses before they can reach the superconducting tape, preventing degradation and maintaining reliability under operational stress conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Ease of operation

If helical wrapping method is used, then flexibility of cable is improved, but tension control becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable flexibilityVSAvoidtension control system

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The helical wrapping structure is designed with dynamic tension control, where the wrapping angle and tension vary along the length of the cable. This allows the cable to maintain flexibility for easy operation while the tension distribution is optimized to simplify the control system, avoiding excessive complexity by using natural geometric progression rather than complex active control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 method protects the superconducting tape from degradation, maintaining its critical current capacity and enabling flexible, durable superconducting cables suitable for various applications.

Implementation Method 1

Cables made from High Temperature Superconductors (HTS) may be used in a wide variety of applications, such as electrical transmission

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuperconductivity: Superconductivity

Data Source

PatentUS20250336569A1Cable comprising superconductive tape

Publication Date: 2025.10.30 EUROPEAN ORGANIZATION FOR NUCLEAR RESEARCH

AI summary

Cables comprising a flexible core and formed of wound superconducting tape wrapped helically around the flexible core, as well as methods of producing such cables are disclosed. The superconducting tape is wrapped around a conductive layer comprising conductive material, providing mechanical cushioning and electrical stabilization for the superconducting material. When producing such cables, tension control techniques support the protection of the superconducting tape and hence degradation of the superconducting material is largely or entirely avoided.