Superconducting Tape Quality Control via Segmented Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing apparatuses for quality control of superconducting tapes are limited in measurement speed and current injection due to heat generation at contacts, and they exert high mechanical forces, leading to potential malfunctions and artifacts.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus with at least two rolls and measuring contacts located inside a cooling section, where the rolls are kept at a lower temperature than the measuring contacts, allowing high-speed current injection and voltage measurement with reduced mechanical forces and likelihood of artifacts, using a process that injects electric current below the critical temperature and measures voltage at a higher temperature.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high electric current is injected into the superconducting tape at low temperatures, then measurement speed and current capability are improved, but heat generation at contacts increases causing measurement artifacts and potential damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement speedVSAvoidheat generation at contacts

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling section is divided into two distinct temperature zones: a first zone at a lower temperature (e.g., 4K) for current injection rolls, and a second zone at a higher temperature (e.g., 77K) for measuring contacts. This spatial segmentation allows each component to operate at its optimal temperature, enabling high current injection without excessive heat generation at contacts while maintaining measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the apparatus are assigned different thermal conditions tailored to their specific functions. The rolls are maintained at a lower temperature to minimize contact resistance and heat generation during high current injection, while the measuring contacts are positioned in a warmer zone to reduce thermal stress and prevent condensation, thereby optimizing local operating conditions for each component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If mechanical forces are applied to the superconducting tape for contact establishment, then electrical contact is achieved, but the tape may be damaged or artifacts produced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical contactVSAvoidmechanical damage to tape

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical pressure contacts with a magnetic field-based contactless measurement system. The measuring contacts utilize the proximity effect and electromagnetic coupling to detect voltage without applying mechanical force to the tape, thereby eliminating mechanical damage while maintaining measurement reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If the entire cooling section is maintained at a uniform low temperature, then current injection is optimized, but measuring contacts experience excessive thermal stress and condensation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecurrent injection efficiencyVSAvoidmeasuring contact stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

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

Enables high-speed, high-current measurements with low mechanical forces, reducing the risk of damage and measurement artifacts, while efficiently locating defects in long superconducting tapes.

Implementation Method 1

a cooling section suitable for cooling the superconducting tape below its critical temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuperconductivity: Superconductivity

Implementation Method 2

at least two rolls contacting the superconducting tape and being suitable for injecting an electric current into the superconducting tape

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 3

at least two measuring contacts contacting the superconducting tape and being suitable for measuring an electric voltage along the superconducting tape

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVoltage measurement: Ohm's Law

Data Source

PatentUS12050254B2Apparatus for quality control of a superconducting tape

Publication Date: 2024.07.30 COMMONWEALTH FUSION SYSTEMS LLC

AI summary

Described herein is an apparatus for quality control of a superconducting tape including(a) at least two rolls contacting the superconducting tape and being suitable for injecting an electric current into the superconducting tape;(b) at least two measuring contacts contacting the superconducting tape and being suitable for measuring an electric voltage along the superconducting tape; and(c) a cooling section suitable for cooling the superconducting tape below its critical temperature,where the at least two rolls and the at least two measuring contacts are located inside the cooling section, andwhere the cooling section is suitable for keeping the rolls at a first temperature and the measuring contacts at a second temperature, where the first temperature is lower than the second temperature.