Superconducting Tape Current Leads with Bypass Redundancy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Superconducting current lead wires face instability due to variations in critical current values and cooling uniformity among superconducting tapes, leading to quench occurrences that disrupt current supply to cryogenic devices.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a current lead wire design that allows current to bypass through additional superconducting tapes when a problem occurs in any of the tapes, ensuring continuous current supply by connecting multiple tapes in parallel and intersecting configurations to maintain stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If multiple superconducting tapes are used to supply current, then the current carrying capacity is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to variations in critical current values and cooling uniformity among tapes leading to quench occurrences
Solution Approach 1:
The current lead wire is segmented into multiple independent superconducting tapes (first superconducting tape and second superconducting tape) that can operate independently. Each tape is a separate current path, allowing the system to divide the total current load across multiple channels, thereby improving overall current carrying capacity while maintaining individual tape reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the electrical state parameter of the superconducting tapes by introducing a bypass mechanism that alters the current distribution. When a quench occurs in one tape, the system dynamically changes the electrical parameters by redirecting current through the bypass path, maintaining superconducting operation in the remaining healthy tapes.
2Reliability
If additional superconducting tapes are added for redundancy, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional connections and bypass paths
Solution Approach 1:
A bypass path acts as an intermediary element connecting the first and second superconducting tapes. This intermediary structure provides an alternative current route when primary paths fail, enhancing reliability without requiring complex active control systems. The bypass serves as a passive mediator that automatically redirects current based on the operational state of the tapes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the first superconducting tape, second superconducting tape, and bypass path into a unified current lead wire structure. These components are combined into a single integrated assembly that functions as one cohesive unit, reducing the complexity that would arise from managing separate independent systems. The merged structure shares common terminals and cooling infrastructure.
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 design effectively stabilizes current supply by enabling current bypass through redundant superconducting tapes, preventing quench-related disruptions and ensuring reliable operation of cryogenic devices.
Implementation Method 1
A superconducting system minimizes a loss of current, using a superconducting material that exhibits characteristics of impedance similar to zero at a cryogenic critical temperature or lower
Implementation Method 2
the differences in the cooling uniformity of the superconducting tape for each of the produced superconducting tapes
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a current lead wire using a superconducting tape. The current lead wire may comprise a first superconducting tape that electrically connects the first terminal and the second terminal; a second superconducting tape that is arranged in parallel with the first superconducting tape to electrically connect the first terminal with the second terminal; and a third superconducting tape that electrically connects the first superconducting tapes with the second superconducting tape.