Superconducting Current Limiter Parallel Feedthrough Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current limiting devices with superconducting coils face high thermal losses due to electrical connections between the cryogenic compartment and the warm external environment, leading to high energy consumption and complex cooling systems.
Innovation Solution
A current limiting device with a current supply that includes a parallel connection of a normally conducting metallic conductor element and a superconducting conductor element, reducing thermal losses by allowing current flow through the superconducting conductor element, especially at cryogenic temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a superconducting current limiter device is integrated into an electrical grid, then power quality and reliability are improved, but the complexity of installation and operation increases due to cryogenic cooling requirements
Solution Approach 1:
A helium gas recirculation system acts as an intermediary between the superconducting device and the external environment, managing the cryogenic cooling requirements. The system includes a helium pump, heat exchangers, and recirculation pathways that automatically maintain the superconducting state without requiring complex external intervention, thus improving reliability while managing installation complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The superconducting current limiter device incorporates self-cooling capabilities through integrated helium circulation pathways and heat exchangers. The device automatically maintains its cryogenic operating conditions by recirculating helium gas through internal channels, reducing the need for external cooling infrastructure and simplifying installation while ensuring continuous superconducting operation for reliable power quality.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a superconducting current limiter device is integrated into an electrical grid, then operational stability is improved, but the cost of installation and maintenance increases due to specialized cooling infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling infrastructure is merged with the current limiter device itself, integrating helium circulation pumps, heat exchangers, and thermal management components directly into the device housing. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate, expensive external cooling systems, reducing installation costs while maintaining the operational stability required for superconducting performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs its own thermal management through integrated helium recirculation and heat dissipation systems. By self-managing the cryogenic cooling requirements, the device eliminates the need for costly external maintenance of separate cooling infrastructure, reducing both installation and ongoing maintenance costs while ensuring continuous operational stability.
3Reliability
If a superconducting current limiter device is integrated into an electrical grid, then grid protection capability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to cryogenic cooling systems
Solution Approach 1:
The helium gas recirculation system serves as an intermediary that automatically manages the thermal conditions required for superconducting operation. The system includes temperature sensors, pressure regulators, and flow control mechanisms that maintain optimal cooling conditions without requiring complex external control systems, thus enabling improved grid protection capability while managing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The superconducting current limiter device incorporates self-regulating thermal management capabilities through integrated helium circulation and heat exchange systems. The device automatically maintains its superconducting state and responds to grid conditions without requiring complex external control infrastructure, improving grid protection capability while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
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
Significantly reduces thermal losses and cooling capacity requirements by utilizing the superconducting conductor element, even if not fully in the superconducting state, thereby minimizing energy consumption and cooling system complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a superconducting current limiter device having a superconducting coil and comprising a housing, a cold box positioned inside the housing, a cold head positioned inside the cold box, a first heat exchanger positioned inside the cold box, a second heat exchanger positioned inside the housing, a compressor positioned inside the housing, and a valve positioned inside the housing
Implementation Method 2
a first heat exchanger positioned inside the cold box, a second heat exchanger positioned inside the housing
Implementation Method 3
heat exchangers
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a superconducting current limiter device (1) having - a superconducting coil element (3), - a cryostat (5), within which the superconducting coil element (3) is arranged, - at least one power feed (7a, 7b) for connecting the superconducting coil element (3) to an external power circuit - and at least one feedthrough (11) through an exterior wall of the cryostat (5), through which the power feed (7a, 7b) is led, - wherein the power feed (7a, 7b) comprises at least one first cable section (21), which extends between the feedthrough (11) and the superconducting coil element (3), - wherein the first cable section (21) has at least one first conductor element (31) and one second conductor element (32), - wherein the first conductor element (31) is designed as a normally conducting metallic conductor element and the second conductor element (32) is designed as a superconducting conductor element connected in parallel therewith.