Superconducting Wire Width-to-Height Ratio Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional superconducting wires have a width-to-height ratio that makes them difficult to handle and results in high AC loss due to their large width and thin height.
Innovation Solution
A superconducting wire design with a width-to-height ratio of 0.8 or greater and 10 or less, featuring a stack structure with a first and second substrate and a superconducting material layer, along with conductive and stabilizing layers to enhance handling and reduce AC loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the superconducting wire has a large width and thin height, then the critical current is high, but the handling becomes difficult and AC loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the superconducting wire by adjusting the width-to-height ratio to be within 0.8 to 10, with width of 2mm or less. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction by finding the optimal balance between maintaining sufficient critical current (which requires larger cross-sectional area) and improving handling characteristics (which requires smaller and more compact dimensions).
2Reliability
If the superconducting wire has a large width, then the critical current is high, but AC loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the width parameter to be 2mm or less, which directly addresses the AC loss issue. By controlling the width within this specific range while maintaining an appropriate width-to-height ratio, the patent reduces the wire's exposure to alternating magnetic fields and minimizes eddy current losses, thereby reducing AC loss while preserving sufficient critical current capacity.
3Loss of energy
If the superconducting wire has a small width, then AC loss is reduced, but the critical current decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite structure consisting of a substrate, buffer layers, superconducting layers, and stabilizing layers. This composite material approach allows the wire to achieve high critical current not through increased width alone, but through optimized layer composition and structure. The multi-layer composite design maximizes the superconducting material's effective area while keeping the overall width compact, thus reducing AC loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from relying solely on width to determine critical current capacity to utilizing the vertical dimension through a multi-layer stacked structure. By stacking multiple functional layers (substrate, buffer, superconducting, stabilizing) in the vertical direction, the patent achieves high critical current within a compact width, effectively moving the solution from a two-dimensional width-dependent approach to a three-dimensional structure-optimized approach.
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 design improves handling and reduces AC loss by maintaining a narrow width while maintaining high critical current, and includes stabilizing layers to protect the superconducting material during transitions.
Implementation Method 1
a first superconducting material layer between the first primary surface and the second substrate
Data Source
AI summary
A superconducting wire includes a stack which includes: a first substrate having a first primary surface; a second substrate disposed opposite the first substrate; and a first superconducting material layer between the first primary surface and the second substrate. A ratio w/h of a width w of the superconducting wire to a height h of the superconducting wire in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the superconducting wire is 0.8 or greater and 10 or less. The width w is 2 mm or less.