Superconducting Cable Stop Joint for Segmented Cryogenic Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
In long distance superconducting cable systems, the cooling fluid's pressure reduction and temperature increase lead to a loss of superconducting properties, causing mechanical damage and degradation, particularly due to the limited capacity of circulation pumps.
Innovation Solution
A stop joint with a vacuum chamber, nitrogen chamber structure, electrode structure, and flow path separation member is installed to partition the cooling fluid circulation path, reducing the fluid's circulation distance and maintaining superconducting properties by blocking communication between flow paths and using recovery holes connected to recovery pipes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the cooling fluid circulation distance is extended to cover long distance lines, then the superconducting cable length is increased, but the pressure reduction and temperature increase cause loss of superconducting properties
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling fluid circulation path is segmented into multiple sections by installing stop joints at intermediate positions along the superconducting cable line. Each section has its own circulation loop with a refrigerator, reducing the circulation distance for each segment while maintaining overall system length. This segmentation prevents excessive pressure reduction and temperature increase in any single circulation path, thereby preserving superconducting properties throughout the entire cable system.
2Stress or pressure
If the circulation pump capacity is increased to maintain pressure, then the pressure reduction is compensated, but mechanical damage occurs in the terminal structure and cryostat
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single high-capacity circulation pump that would cause mechanical damage, the system is divided into multiple segments with smaller circulation pumps at each stop joint. Each pump handles only the local segment, reducing the mechanical stress on terminal structures and cryostats while maintaining adequate cooling fluid pressure throughout the distributed system.
Solution Approach 2:
Each segment of the superconducting cable system is equipped with its own localized refrigerator and circulation pump, creating independent pressure control zones. This local quality approach allows each segment to maintain optimal pressure and temperature conditions without requiring excessive pressure from a centralized pump, thereby preventing mechanical damage to terminal structures.
3Device complexity
If a single circulation loop is used for the entire line, then the system structure is simplified, but the cooling fluid temperature increases due to heat invasion over long distance
Solution Approach 1:
The single circulation loop is divided into multiple independent circulation loops, each serving a specific segment of the superconducting cable. This segmentation limits the distance over which heat invasion can occur in each loop, preventing excessive temperature increase while distributing the system complexity across modular units rather than creating one complex centralized system.
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 stop joint effectively minimizes pressure reduction and maintains superconducting properties, preventing mechanical damage and degradation of the superconducting cable, especially on long distance lines, by reducing the cooling fluid's circulation path length and enhancing the recovery of cooling fluid.
Implementation Method 1
a flow path separation member which is bonded to the electrode structure and is connected to the nitrogen chamber structure to block communication between first and second flow paths
Implementation Method 2
a vacuum chamber provided with lead-in holes on both sides
Implementation Method 3
recovery holes which are provided in the nitrogen chamber structure on both sides of the flow path separation member to communicate with the first and second flow paths, and are connected to recovery pipes
Data Source
AI summary
A stop joint for a superconducting cable is provided to maintain superconducting properties by installing the stop joint on a long distance line in which a long distance superconducting cable has to be installed and unitizing a circulation path of a cooling fluid.