Superconducting Switch Cryoline Constriction for Low Heat Load
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Superconducting switches in cryogenic systems introduce excessive heat into the cryogenic medium when transitioning to a normally conductive state, leading to high refrigeration power requirements and inefficiencies, particularly in closed recondensing systems.
Innovation Solution
A pipeline with a cross-sectional constriction is used to thermally couple the superconducting switch to the cryogenic medium, limiting heat flow and refrigeration power transfer, allowing for efficient cooling with reduced dissipated losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the superconducting switch is thermally coupled directly to the cryogenic medium for cooling, then the cooling efficiency is improved, but the heat introduced into the cryogenic medium when the switch transitions to normally conductive state increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
A pipeline with a cross-sectional constriction is introduced as an intermediary thermal coupling element between the superconducting switch and the cryogenic medium. The constriction limits the heat flow from the switch to the medium, acting as a thermal mediator that provides controlled thermal coupling rather than direct coupling.
Solution Approach 2:
The pipeline is designed with a specific local property - a cross-sectional constriction at a particular location. This local modification creates a bottleneck for heat flow while maintaining the thermal coupling function, allowing different parts of the system to have different thermal characteristics.
2Loss of energy
If the cross-sectional area of the pipeline is reduced to limit heat flow, then the refrigeration power requirement is reduced, but the cooling capability to the superconductors may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The cross-sectional area parameter of the pipeline is specifically optimized to achieve the desired balance. By carefully selecting the constriction dimensions, the system achieves sufficient heat flow limitation while maintaining adequate cooling capability for the superconductors.
3Reliability
If the superconducting switch is kept in normally conductive state with high dissipated losses, then the switching function is maintained, but the continuous heating of the switching path increases the refrigeration power requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The constrained pipeline serves as a thermal intermediary that isolates the continuous heating of the resistive switching path from the cryogenic medium, allowing the switch to maintain its normally conductive state with minimal impact on the overall refrigeration power requirement.
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 enables reliable switching with low dissipated losses, limiting the heat introduced into the cryogenic medium and reducing the required refrigeration power, ensuring a safe switching state while minimizing the cryosystem's refrigeration needs.
Implementation Method 1
The superconductors of at least one superconducting appliance and the superconducting switching path are thermally coupled
Implementation Method 2
the superconducting state can be overcome by increasing the temperature above the critical temperature
Data Source
AI summary
A superconducting device has a cryosystem to whose cryogenic medium a superconducting appliance and a superconducting switching path (which is electrically connected to it and can be activated thermally by means of a heater) of a superconducting switch are thermally coupled. A pipeline, to whose end the superconducting switching path is thermally coupled, is connected to a coolant area of at least one superconducting appliance. To ensure reliable heating of the switching path when the heater is activated, the pipeline has a cross-sectional constriction which impedes the heat exchange with the coolant area.