Superconducting Cable Terminal with Integrated Cooling Bushing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional superconducting cable terminal devices have a large overall volume due to the need for multiple insulation and cooling structures, making them difficult to install on existing transmission line pylons or substations, and they suffer from increased cooling loads and instability in insulation characteristics at gas-liquid interfaces.
Innovation Solution
A superconducting cable terminal device with a refrigerant circulation path integrated into the insulation bushing for parallel insulation and cooling, where the current lead and connecting unit act as a fixed thermal equilibrium point, reducing the device's volume and allowing direct connection of the superconducting cable in a straight line.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple insulation and cooling structures are used to ensure electrical insulation and cooling functions, then insulation characteristics and cooling performance are improved, but the overall volume of the terminal device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the insulation bushing and cooling structure into a single integrated component. The insulation bushing contains internal channels that serve as cooling passages, allowing refrigerant to flow through while the bushing itself provides electrical insulation. This merging of insulation and cooling functions into one component reduces the overall volume compared to having separate insulation layers and cooling structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulation bushing performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides electrical insulation between high-voltage components, serves as a structural support element, and contains internal channels that function as cooling passages for refrigerant flow. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated cooling structures, thereby reducing overall device volume.
2Reliability
If multiple insulation layers or interface insulation layers are provided to provide electrical insulation characteristics, then insulation performance is improved, but the device complexity and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using multiple separate insulation layers, the patent employs a single integrated insulation bushing that provides the necessary electrical insulation. The bushing's material and structural design ensure adequate insulation performance while eliminating the complexity of layering multiple insulation components.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulation bushing is constructed from composite materials that provide both electrical insulation properties and mechanical strength. This allows a single component to replace multiple layers of different insulation materials, simplifying the structure while maintaining insulation performance.
3Temperature
If the superconducting cable is exposed to refrigerant at multiple parts where high voltage is applied, then cooling function is improved, but insulation characteristics degrade due to gas-liquid interface flow
Solution Approach 1:
The insulation bushing acts as an intermediary component that allows refrigerant cooling while maintaining electrical insulation. The bushing material serves as a barrier that prevents direct contact between high-voltage conductors and the refrigerant, eliminating gas-liquid interface issues while still enabling thermal conduction for cooling purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical exposure of conductors to refrigerant with a mediated cooling system. Instead of having conductors directly contact refrigerant at high-voltage points, the cooling is achieved through the insulation bushing's internal channels, substituting direct mechanical-refrigerant interaction with a controlled fluid flow path that maintains insulation integrity.
4Reliability
If a large volume terminal device is manufactured to accommodate insulation and cooling structures, then insulation and cooling functions are ensured, but it becomes difficult to install on existing transmission line pylons or substations
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the insulation bushing and cooling structure into a single integrated component, the patent significantly reduces the overall volume of the terminal device. This compact design allows the device to be installed on existing transmission line pylons and substations without requiring additional space or structural modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal device is designed as a segmented, modular structure where the insulation bushing with integrated cooling channels can be assembled in place. This segmentation allows for easier handling and installation on existing infrastructure compared to a monolithic large-volume design.
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 solution significantly reduces the overall volume of the terminal device, improves insulation characteristics, and enables stable operation by integrating refrigerant cooling within the insulation bushing, allowing for easier replacement of conventional equipment and improved commercialization and system use.
Implementation Method 1
a refrigerant circulation path for forcibly cooling a current lead and a connecting unit acting as a fixed thermal equilibrium point
Implementation Method 2
a connecting unit acting as a fixed thermal equilibrium point in an insulation bushing
Implementation Method 3
insulation and cooling for the device are performed in parallel by including a refrigerant circulation path for forcibly cooling a current lead
Data Source
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Figure 5
AI summary
The present invention relates to a superconducting cable terminal device, and the subject matter of the present invention is a superconducting cable terminal device for connecting a current lead arranged at an ambient temperature and a superconducting cable arranged in a cryogenic refrigerant container, the superconducting cable terminal device being configured to include: a connecting unit including the current lead and the superconducting cable and being formed by connection thereof; a solid insulation bushing being formed at an outside of the connecting unit; and a refrigerant circulation path forming a refrigerant passage having high-voltage insulation characteristics by connecting an outside of the solid insulation bushing to an inside thereof and forming a thermal equilibrium part at the connecting unit side via cooling through heat exchange by a refrigerant supplied for cooling the connecting unit. Accordingly, since the refrigerant circulation path for forcibly cooling the current lead and the connecting unit acting as a fixed thermal equilibrium point are included in the insulation bushing and a superconducting cable connecting unit is reinforced by a solid insulation structure, the overall volume of the superconducting cable terminal device can be remarkably reduced. In addition, since the superconducting cable can be directly connected in a straight line as in conventional commercial products, the superconducting cable can easily replace conventional equipment in terms of the shape. As a result, there is an advantage of providing a highly improved superconducting cable terminal device for commercialization and use in a real system.