Superconducting Motor Power Link Quench Detection via Three-Phase Voltage Sum

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies struggle to reliably detect a quench phenomenon in superconducting power supply links carrying AC current due to the interference of the inductive component with impedance, which complicates detection and can lead to excessive Joule losses and damage.

Innovation Solution

A method and circuit for controlling a power supply circuit that measures potential differences across three-phase power supply lines, sums these differences, and inhibits the inverter control if the sum exceeds a threshold, incorporating low-pass filtering to enhance detection accuracy and reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If voltage monitoring is used to detect quench in AC superconducting links, then detection capability is reduced due to inductive impedance interference, but this is the conventional detection method available

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequench detection reliabilityVSAvoidquench detection difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary measurement approach by monitoring the sum of voltages across all three phases (Va+Vb+Vc) rather than individual phase voltages. This intermediary measurement eliminates the inductive impedance interference that plagues conventional single-phase voltage monitoring, enabling reliable quench detection in AC superconducting links.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the measurement parameter from individual phase voltage to the sum of all three phase voltages. This parameter transformation converts the detection problem from one affected by inductive interference to one where the sum remains approximately zero during normal operation but deviates significantly during quench, thereby improving detection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If conventional voltage monitoring is applied to AC superconducting links, then the inductive component interferes with quench detection, but alternative methods are needed to overcome this limitation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequench detection precisionVSAvoidinductive impedance interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful inductive impedance effect into a beneficial detection mechanism. By summing the voltages across all three phases, the inductive effects that normally interfere with detection actually reinforce each other in a way that maintains the sum near zero during normal operation, making quench detection more precise through the resulting deviation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the measurement of all three phase voltages into a single composite measurement (the sum Va+Vb+Vc). This combining approach eliminates the harmful inductive interference that affects individual phase measurements, as the symmetrical three-phase system ensures the sum remains approximately zero under normal conditions, providing a clean baseline for quench detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 excessive Joule losses by safely shutting down the power supply system, thus protecting the electrical components.

Implementation Method 1

a superconducting three-phase power supply link comprising three electrical power supply lines configured for supplying the electric motor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuperconductivity: Superconductivity

Implementation Method 2

a low-pass filter circuit configured for filtering the sum signal determined

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLow-pass filtering: Filter (electronic)

Implementation Method 3

an unexpected transition from the superconducting state to the conventional state (a transition usually referred to as 'quench' in the superconducting field)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectQuench transition: Superconductivity

Data Source

PatentUS20260088740A1Controller of an Electrical Power Supply Circuit for Electrical Power Supply of a Superconducting Motor, Superconducting Electrical Power Supply System of a Motor, and Aircraft Comprising Such a System

Publication Date: 2026.03.26 AIRBUS (SAS)

AI summary

A control method executed by a circuit for controlling a power supply circuit of an electric motor, the power supply circuit comprising an inverter supplying the motor via a power supply link, the control method comprising a detection of an increase in the voltage on the terminals of the power supply link by monitoring the sum of the voltages of a balanced three-phase power supply system together with an inhibition of an output configured for controlling the inverter if the sum of the voltages exceeds a predetermined value for a predetermined duration. Also a circuit for controlling a power supply circuit configured for executing the method.