Superconducting Closed Circuit Charging Without Cryogenic Heat Load
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for charging superconducting circuits face challenges such as heat transfer into cryogenic systems, inefficient inductive coupling, and the need for complex and costly superconducting switches, especially in high-temperature superconductors and complex devices, which complicates the localization of heating and affects neighboring circuits.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a superconducting-switch-free approach by designing circuits with branches of different inductances, where the current is primarily fed to the branch with lower inductance until its critical current is reached, and then redirected to the branch with higher inductance, allowing asymmetric charging without the use of superconducting switches or inductive coupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a superconducting switch is used to charge a superconducting circuit, then the circuit can be charged efficiently, but heat must be supplied to the switch which transfers heat into the cryogenic system and affects neighboring circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heating function from the charging process by using a normal resistance element instead of a superconducting switch. The normal resistance element is heated by current flow to become resistive, which opens the superconducting loop and allows charging. This separates the heating action from the superconducting circuit, preventing heat transfer to the cryogenic system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a normal resistance element as an intermediary between the power supply and the superconducting circuit. This element acts as a mediator that can be heated without affecting the superconducting circuit's thermal state, enabling charging while isolating the cryogenic system from heat input.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If inductive coupling is used to charge a superconducting circuit, then heat transfer into the cryogenic system is avoided, but high technical effort and special non-standard tools are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the superconducting circuit to charge itself through its own inherent resistance elements rather than requiring external inductive coupling equipment. The circuit uses its built-in normal resistance elements, which become resistive when heated by current flow, creating a self-contained charging mechanism that eliminates the need for complex external charging infrastructure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a superconducting switch is used in complex devices with multiple circuits, then each circuit can be charged, but the power required to heat the switches is summed up and affects the thermal status of the entire cryogenic environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the heating function into individual normal resistance elements within each circuit branch rather than using centralized superconducting switches. Each normal resistance element can be independently heated and controlled, allowing selective charging of specific circuits without necessarily heating all switches in the system, thereby reducing total power consumption.
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 method enables efficient and low-effort charging and discharging of superconducting circuits with reduced heat transfer into cryogenic environments, maintaining the superconducting state of other components and avoiding the need for complex switching technologies, thus enhancing the performance and efficiency of superconducting devices.
Implementation Method 1
a superconducting-switch-free superconductively closed circuit with at least one superconducting sub-circuit with a close superconducting path
Implementation Method 2
with a power supply for generating a time-varying current and with a method for charging and/or discharging and/or reversing the charge
Data Source
AI summary
A method for charging a superconducting-switch-free superconductively closed circuit with a sub-circuit comprising an entry connection area (6a) and an exit connection area (6b) dividing the sub-circuit into a first branch (1) with a first inductance L1 and a second branch (2) with a second inductance L2, and currents leads (3), comprising: Choosing the positions of the connection areas (6a, 6b) and/or the geometry of the branches (1, 2) and/or the cross sections of the branches (1, 2) such that the first inductance L1 is lower than the second inductance L2; modifying an initial current I0 (I0≥0) by feeding a supply current Iin into the circuit comprising: 10(a) Increasing the supply current until a first partial current in one branch reaches the critical current, (b) Further increasing the supply current to Δa resulting in a second partial current in the other branch, (c) Reducing the supply current Iin to 0A, resulting in a remanent circuit current within the circuit.