Superconducting Current Limiter with Dynamic Cooling Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing current limiters for electrical power regulation have a long reaction time and are prone to localized overloads ('hot spots') that can reduce the lifespan of superconducting members and lead to device failure.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that control the quenching of superconducting members by varying the cooling power through controlled mass flow and pressure exchange of a cooling agent, using a mass flow controller and pressure controller with a delay circuit to ensure rapid and uniform quenching, reducing the influence of hot spots and improving reaction time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional current limiting devices are used, then electrical power regulation is achieved, but the reaction time is long and insufficient for some applications
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling agent mass exchange system is made dynamically controllable through a control unit that adjusts the mass exchange rate based on real-time temperature feedback from the superconducting member. This dynamic adjustment enables the system to respond rapidly to current overloads by increasing cooling intensity when needed, achieving fast reaction times while maintaining reliable operation.
Solution Approach 2:
A feedback control mechanism is implemented where temperature sensors monitor the superconducting member's temperature and feed this information to a control unit. The control unit then adjusts the cooling agent mass exchange rate accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that achieves rapid response to thermal changes and ensures reliable current limiting action.
2Reliability
If conventional current limiting devices are used, then electrical power regulation is achieved, but local overloads (hot spots) occur in the superconducting member
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is designed to provide locally adaptive cooling through distributed temperature sensors and a controllable cooling agent mass exchange mechanism. When hot spots are detected in specific regions of the superconducting member, the control unit increases cooling agent flow to those areas, providing localized cooling intensity that prevents thermal runaway and extends superconductor lifetime.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling intensity is dynamically adjusted based on real-time temperature distribution in the superconducting member. The control unit modulates the cooling agent mass exchange rate to match the thermal conditions, intensifying cooling where hot spots occur and reducing it where not needed, thereby preventing localized overloads and extending device lifetime.
3Speed
If controlled mass exchange of cooling agent is implemented, then reaction time is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates temperature sensors that automatically monitor the superconducting member's temperature and a control unit that autonomously adjusts the cooling agent mass exchange rate based on this feedback. This self-regulating mechanism achieves fast reaction times without requiring complex external control systems, as the device essentially controls itself through built-in sensing and actuation.
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 solution achieves a significantly shorter reaction time for electrical power regulation, suppressing hot spots and extending the lifespan of superconducting members, while being cost-efficient.
Implementation Method 1
a superconducting member exhibiting a capability of quenching at the electrical current exceeding a threshold value
Implementation Method 2
cooling of the superconducting member and the metallic member by their direct contact with the liquid fraction of the cooling agent
Implementation Method 3
filling a thermally insulated and tight internal container with a portion of a liquid fraction of a cooling agent and a portion of a gas fraction (nitrogen) of the cooling agent
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for regulation of electrical power has a superconducting member exhibiting a capability of quenching at the electrical current exceeding a threshold value, a metallic member coupled to the superconducting member, a thermally insulated and tight internal container filled with a portion of a liquid fraction of a cooling agent and a portion of a gas fraction of the cooling agent. The internal container being capable to provide a cooling of the superconducting member and the metallic member by their direct contact with the liquid fraction of the cooling agent in and to provide a mass exchange of the cooling agent between the internal container and an external container. The mass exchange of the cooling agent has a mass flow controller for the cooling agent which is output from the inner container; a controller of an instantaneous pressure in the internal container, and a delay circuit providing a pre-determined time-delay for mass flow controller operation.