Superconducting Cable Termination with Direct Atmospheric Venting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing end closures for superconducting cables are complex and fail to simplify thermal and electrical transitions, requiring intricate designs and external drainage systems for coolant release.
Innovation Solution
The end closure features bursting disks at the upper ends of the inner and outer shells for direct coolant release into the air in case of rupture, eliminating the need for drainage pipes, and includes an inner and outer closure plate connection for simplified conductor connection, along with a cooling pipe to prevent thermal stratification and gas bubble formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If traditional end closure designs are used with external drainage systems, then coolant can be properly managed, but the structure becomes complex and requires additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the external drainage system from the end closure design. Instead of using traditional drain pipes and external exhaust systems, the invention allows coolant to escape directly into the ambient air through the upper end of the shell, where it can evaporate naturally. This extraction of the drainage system simplifies the overall structure while maintaining reliable coolant management through direct atmospheric venting.
Solution Approach 2:
The end closure design enables the coolant to serve its own disposal function by escaping directly into the ambient air and evaporating there. The system uses the natural evaporation properties of the coolant (liquid nitrogen or similar) to eliminate the need for external drainage infrastructure. The coolant essentially disposes of itself through atmospheric evaporation, reducing structural complexity.
2Ease of manufacture
If complex insulation systems are used for coolant supply lines, then thermal and electrical insulation requirements are met, but manufacturing costs and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the coolant supply function with the existing cryostat structure. The coolant line is integrated within the cryostat's thermal insulation system, utilizing the vacuum insulation and thermal barriers already present in the cryostat design. This integration eliminates the need for separate insulation layers on external coolant lines, simplifying both manufacturing and assembly while maintaining adequate thermal insulation.
3Device complexity
If simple closure designs are used, then assembly is simplified, but thermal stratification and gas bubble formation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension to the coolant flow path within the simple closure design. The coolant line is configured to extend vertically through the closure, allowing coolant to flow from the bottom to the top (or vice versa) of the end closure. This vertical flow pattern prevents thermal stratification by continuously mixing the coolant throughout the volume, while the simple closure structure itself remains uncomplicated.
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 design simplifies the structure and assembly of the termination, reducing costs and avoiding thermal and electrical insulation requirements for the coolant supply line, while ensuring safe and efficient coolant handling and thermal management.
Implementation Method 1
The arrangement of the bursting discs at the respective upper ends of the inner and outer shell allows the escaping coolant, for example liquid nitrogen, to be released directly into the ambient air and evaporate there
Implementation Method 2
The coolant required to cool the cable end can advantageously be conducted by means of a cooling pipe made of electrically insulating material from the grounded, lower part of the termination within the same to the upper part, which is under high voltage
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A termination (1) for a superconducting cable (2), which is arranged in a tubular cryostat serving to guide a coolant and has at least one electrical conductor, is described. The termination (1) has an inner sheath (3) in which one end of the cable (2) is arranged in a coolant, and an outer sheath (4), wherein the sheaths (3, 4) consist of electrically insulating material and insulating material is arranged in a space (5) between the inner and outer sheaths. The inner sheath (3) is connected to the cryostat, and the termination (1) is arranged vertically in its mounting position such that, in the operating state, a lower part (C) of the inner and outer sheaths (3, 4) is grounded and an upper part (A) of the inner and outer sheaths (3, 4) is connected to a high-voltage potential.At their respective upper ends, the inner shell (3) is sealed with a first bursting disc (3a) and the outer shell (4) with a second bursting disc (4a).