Superconducting Cable Thermal Insulation Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional superconducting cables require frequent connections to cooling equipment due to thermal bypass between the forward and reverse paths of the cooling medium, increasing production costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
The reverse path of the cooling medium is separated from the cable core and located within the heat insulation surrounding it, with additional concentric pipes creating annular gaps for improved thermal insulation, preventing heat exchange between the forward and reverse paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the reverse path is located adjacent to the cable core, then the cable structure is compact, but thermal bypass occurs warming the cooling medium
Solution Approach 1:
The reverse path is relocated from the radial dimension (adjacent to cable core) to the longitudinal dimension (within heat insulation surrounding the cable core). This spatial reconfiguration separates the thermal zones effectively, preventing warm reverse path medium from heating the cold forward path medium while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable structure is segmented into distinct thermal zones: the forward path remains within the cable core, while the reverse path is separated into the annular gap between concentric pipes within the heat insulation. This segmentation prevents thermal bypass by creating physical and thermal barriers between the two paths.
2Temperature
If intermediate cooling connections are added, then the cooling medium remains sufficiently cooled, but production cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful thermal bypass effect is extracted and eliminated by relocating the reverse path away from the cable core and into the heat insulation region. This extraction removes the need for intermediate cooling connections, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining cooling effectiveness.
3Temperature
If additional concentric pipes are added for thermal insulation, then thermal insulation between forward and reverse paths is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Concentric pipes are nested within the cable structure, with each pipe positioned at different radial distances from the cable core. The forward path cooling medium flows through the inner region, while the reverse path flows through the annular gap between concentric pipes, creating multiple thermal barriers that prevent heat exchange.
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 allows for longer cable lengths without the need for intermediate cooling equipment, maintaining the cooling medium in a sufficiently cooled state and simplifying cable construction by eliminating the need for additional electrical insulation layers.
Implementation Method 1
In the annular gap between the conductor envelope and the inner pipe a vacuum and/or superinsulation is provided for thermally insulating the cable core towards the peripheral pipe arrangement
Implementation Method 2
In the annular gap between the conductor envelope and the inner pipe a vacuum and/or superinsulation is provided for thermally insulating the cable core
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The present invention relates to a superconducting cable with improved guidance of the cooling medium wherein the forward path of the cooling medium is located within the cable core and the reverse path in the thermal insulation surrounding the cable core.