Superconducting Motor Power Link Quench Detection Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods struggle to reliably detect a quench phenomenon in superconducting power supply links for AC current in aircraft electric motors due to the inductive component masking the resistive component, which can lead to excessive Joule losses and damage.

Innovation Solution

A controller for the power supply circuit that multiplies a voltage signal with a synchronized sinusoidal signal to isolate the resistive component, using a low-pass filter to detect quench phenomena, and inhibits the inverter control if the threshold is exceeded, thereby preventing excessive current supply.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional voltage monitoring is used to detect quench in superconducting AC links, then the detection method is simple, but the inductive component masks the resistive component making detection unreliable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection method simplicityVSAvoidquench detection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The voltage signal is segmented into resistive and inductive components through multiplication with synchronized sinusoidal signals. This segmentation allows the resistive component (which indicates quench) to be isolated and detected separately from the dominant inductive component, resolving the masking problem while maintaining detection reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Synchronized sinusoidal signals act as intermediaries to extract the resistive component from the total voltage signal. By multiplying the measured voltage with these intermediary sinusoidal signals, the method transforms the uninterpretable total voltage into a usable resistive component signal that reliably indicates quench conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Duration of action of stationary object

If the inverter continues to supply current during a quench transition, then power supply continuity is maintained, but excessive Joule losses occur causing damage to electrical circuits

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply continuityVSAvoidJoule losses and damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control system takes preliminary action by detecting the resistive component increase before excessive Joule losses occur. The method continuously monitors the resistive component and inhibits the inverter control output as soon as quench is detected, preventing the harmful effects of continued current supply during the transition to normal resistive state

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback by continuously monitoring the resistive component of the voltage signal and using this information to control the inverter output. When the resistive component exceeds a threshold indicating quench, the feedback loop immediately inhibits the control signal, creating a closed-loop protection system that prevents damage while maintaining normal operation during superconducting state

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

Enables rapid and reliable detection of quench phenomena, preventing damage by limiting current supply and maintaining system integrity.

Implementation Method 1

multiplying the first signal and a sinusoidal signal synchronized with the second signal to obtain a third signal that is representative of the resistive component of the voltage measured across the terminals of the superconducting power supply link

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSignal multiplication and synchronous detection:

Implementation Method 2

The controller also comprises electronic circuitry configured to low-pass filter the result of the multiplication to obtain the third signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLow-pass filtering: Filter (electronic)

Implementation Method 3

a superconducting power supply link configured to supply the electric motor with power

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuperconductivity: Superconductivity

Implementation Method 4

detect warning signs of such a transition in order to avoid excessive losses through the Joule effect that could damage the electrical power supply circuits

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentUS12587005B2Controller for an electrical power supply circuit of a superconducting motor, superconducting electrical power supply system for a motor, and aircraft comprising such a system

Publication Date: 2026.03.24 AIRBUS (SAS)

AI summary

A method, which is executed by a controller, for controlling a power supply circuit of an electric motor, the power supply circuit comprising an inverter supplying the motor with power via a power supply link, the method comprising detecting an increase in the voltage across the terminals of the power supply link while overcoming the inductive component of the impedance of the power supply link, and inhibiting an output for controlling the inverter if the increase in voltage exceeds a predetermined value for a predetermined duration. Also a controller for a power supply circuit that is configured to execute the method, an electrical power supply system for a motor and an aircraft comprising such a system and a control method.