Superconducting Current Limiter Cooling for Fast Quenching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing current limiting devices for electrical power regulation have a long reaction time and are prone to localized overloads ('hot spots') that can reduce the lifespan of superconductors and lead to failure.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that control the quenching of superconducting members by varying the cooling power through controlled mass exchange of a cooling agent, using a mass flow controller and pressure controller with a delay circuit to manage the cooling agent's flow and pressure, ensuring rapid quenching and reducing hot spots.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the cooling agent mass flow is increased to reduce reaction time, then the quenching speed improves, but local hot spots occur due to uneven cooling distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into multiple independent cooling channels that distribute cooling agent flow across different regions of the superconducting member. This segmentation ensures uniform cooling distribution and prevents local hot spots while maintaining fast quenching speed throughout the entire superconductor volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling agent flow rate is locally adjusted in different regions of the superconducting member based on their specific thermal characteristics and quenching requirements. This local quality approach ensures that each region receives appropriate cooling intensity, preventing both overheating and excessive cooling that could cause thermal stress.
2Loss of time
If the cooling power is increased to achieve faster reaction time, then the current limiting response improves, but thermal stress on the superconducting member increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling agent flow is applied in controlled periodic pulses rather than continuous high-flow operation. This periodic action allows the superconducting member to experience rapid cooling when needed for current limiting, followed by recovery periods that reduce cumulative thermal stress and prevent material degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling power is dynamically adjusted based on the real-time operational state of the superconducting member and the severity of the overcurrent condition. The system transitions between different cooling intensity levels, applying maximum cooling power only when rapid quenching is necessary, thereby reducing overall thermal stress exposure.
3Device complexity
If a simple cooling system is used to reduce device complexity, then manufacturing cost decreases, but reaction time becomes too long for some applications
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses pneumatic or hydraulic principles to drive the cooling agent flow through the superconducting member, utilizing pressure differentials and flow dynamics to achieve rapid heat extraction. This approach provides fast reaction time through controlled fluid dynamics while maintaining relatively simple system architecture without requiring complex mechanical moving parts.
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 approach significantly reduces the reaction time of electrical power regulation and extends the lifespan of superconducting devices by ensuring rapid and uniform quenching, suppressing the formation of hot spots.
Implementation Method 1
cooling of the superconducting member and the metallic member by their direct contact with the liquid fraction of the cooling agent
Implementation Method 2
a superconducting member exhibiting a capability of quenching at the electrical current exceeding a threshold value
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.