Superconducting Tape Assembly with High-Permeability Magnetic Layer

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-temperature superconductors face significant challenges in reducing alternating current (ac) losses due to unwanted ac magnetic fields generated by current flowing in neighboring tapes, leading to inefficiencies and increased cooling requirements, which are costly and environmentally impactful.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating high-permeability magnetic material layers into superconducting tape assemblies that remain magnetically soft at critical temperatures, allowing them to divert normal components of ac magnetic fields and modify the magnetic field distribution within the superconducting tapes, thereby reducing ac losses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If high-temperature superconductors are used in power cables and devices, then power-handling capacity increases and size is reduced, but alternating current losses occur due to unwanted ac magnetic fields from neighboring tapes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower-handling capacityVSAvoidac losses

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

A non-superconducting matrix material is introduced as an intermediary between adjacent superconducting tapes. This matrix serves as a magnetic field pathway that shunts the normal component of AC magnetic fields away from the superconducting tapes, thereby reducing AC losses while allowing the superconducting tapes to maintain their high power-handling capacity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the magnetic field distribution parameters by introducing the non-superconducting matrix with specific magnetic properties. This matrix modifies the local magnetic field environment around the superconducting tapes, altering the field penetration and reducing the harmful normal field components that cause AC losses

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If superconductors operate at low temperatures (4-85° K), then superconducting properties are maintained, but continuous refrigeration is required which consumes significant energy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuperconducting operationVSAvoidrefrigeration energy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention converts the harmful AC magnetic fields that cause energy losses into a beneficial effect. By allowing these fields to exist and introducing the non-superconducting matrix, the normal field components are shunted through the matrix rather than penetrating the superconducting tapes, thereby reducing hysteresis losses and the associated refrigeration energy requirements

Inventive Principle:

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

3Productivity

If AC current flows in HTS tapes, then power transmission is enabled, but unwanted AC magnetic fields are generated causing increased heat generation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower transmissionVSAvoidheat generation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the magnetic field pathways by introducing the non-superconducting matrix between adjacent superconducting tapes. This segmentation creates separate magnetic circuits where the normal field components generated by AC current in one tape are shunted through the matrix rather than affecting neighboring tapes, thereby reducing cumulative heat generation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 results in a significant reduction of ac losses by over two orders of magnitude, enhancing the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of superconducting applications by minimizing the need for continuous refrigeration and reducing the environmental impact of heat generation.

Implementation Method 1

with presence of an ac magnetic field acting on the superconducting tape assembly, re-magnetizes to divert at least a portion of a normal component of the ac magnetic field therethrough

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field diversion: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

reduced hysteretic ac losses are obtained by incorporating therein one or more high permeability magnetic material layers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic hysteresis: Magnetic Hysteresis

Implementation Method 3

a superconducting tape layer, comprising at least one superconducting tape

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuperconductivity: Superconductivity

Data Source

PatentUS8260387B2Superconducting articles and methods of fabrication thereof with reduced AC magnetic field losses

Publication Date: 2012.09.04 SUPERPOWER INC

AI summary

A superconducting article is provided which includes a superconducting tape assembly. The superconducting tape assembly includes a superconducting tape layer, having one or more superconducting tapes, and a high-permeability magnetic material layer coupled to the superconducting tape layer. The high-permeability magnetic material layer includes a high-permeability magnetic material which remains magnetically soft at a critical temperature Tc of the superconducting tape, and with presence of an ac magnetic field acting on the superconducting tape assembly, re-magnetizes to divert at least a portion of a normal component of the ac magnetic field therethrough, which reduces ac loss in the superconducting tape layer by modifying the ac magnetic field distribution within the superconducting tape of the superconducting tape layer.