Superconducting Conductor Assembly With Annular Cooling Insulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electric power transmission systems face limitations in carrying high currents at lower voltages, are prone to energy losses due to thermal resistance, and require wider rights-of-way, leading to increased costs and environmental impact.
Innovation Solution
The development of conductor assemblies using superconductor materials with active cooling mechanisms, where a superconductor is wrapped around a former and enclosed in a thermally insulating jacket, allowing coolant flow to maintain the superconductor at a specified temperature, reducing energy losses and stabilizing sag and creep in overhead and underground transmission lines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional electric power transmission systems are used, then power can be transmitted over long distances, but energy losses occur due to thermal resistance and the systems require wider rights-of-way
Solution Approach 1:
The conductor assembly uses composite materials including superconductor materials wrapped around a former, surrounded by thermal insulation, and enclosed in a protective sheath. This composite structure enables zero-resistance power transmission while integrating cooling and insulation functions, thereby reducing energy losses without excessive complexity increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductor assembly employs a nested structure where the superconductor is wrapped around a former, then enclosed in thermal insulation, and finally protected by an outer sheath. This nested design consolidates multiple functions (conduction, cooling, insulation, protection) into a single integrated assembly, reducing the overall space requirement and rights-of-way while minimizing energy losses.
2Productivity
If superconductor materials are used with active cooling mechanisms, then energy losses are reduced and transmission efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conductor assembly merges the superconductor, thermal insulation, cooling channels, and protective sheath into a single integrated structure. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components and simplifies installation while maintaining high transmission efficiency through zero-resistance conduction and active cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The former in the conductor assembly serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, acts as a mandrel for wrapping the superconductor, and may serve as part of the cooling structure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby improving transmission efficiency without proportionally increasing complexity.
3Area of stationary object
If conventional conductors are used, then the system structure is simple, but wider rights-of-way are required and environmental impact increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conductor assembly uses a flexible protective sheath that encloses the superconductor and thermal insulation. This thin-film structure provides protection while minimizing the cross-sectional area of the conductor, allowing it to fit within narrower rights-of-way and reducing environmental impact compared to conventional bulky conductor structures.
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
These conductor assemblies can transmit power at higher currents with reduced energy losses, maintaining stability and consistency over time, and can operate within narrower rights-of-way, enhancing efficiency and reducing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
a superconductor material disposed (e.g., wrapped) around the former
Implementation Method 2
a thermally insulating jacket (also referred to herein as a thermal insulation jacket) ('TIJ') disposed around and spaced apart from the superconductor material
Implementation Method 3
An outer surface of the superconductor material and an inner surface of the TIJ can define an annulus through which a coolant can flow
Implementation Method 4
a coolant tube can be disposed in the space. In some embodiments, the coolant tube can transport the coolant
Data Source
AI summary
A conductor assembly for transmitting power includes a former that defines a shape, a superconductor material disposed around the former, and a thermally insulating jacket (TIJ) disposed around and spaced apart from the superconductor material. An outer surface of the superconductor material and an inner surface of the TIJ can define an annulus through which a coolant can flow. The conductor assembly can also include an external layer, disposed around an outside surface of the TIJ, to provide structural support to the conductor assembly. The conductor assembly can also include an electrical insulation layer disposed around the outside surface of the TIJ or around the superconductor material.