Superconducting Wire Wedge Interconnects for Quench Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-temperature superconducting wires are vulnerable to mechanical stress and quench phenomena during coil winding and operation, leading to deterioration and difficulty in detecting quench events, resulting in potential wire damage and burnout.
Innovation Solution
A superconducting wire structure with a metal substrate, buffer layer, and stabilizing layer, where wedges penetrate through the superconducting and buffer layers to mechanically, electrically, and thermally connect the stabilizing layer with the metal substrate, enhancing mechanical strength and providing self-protection against quench phenomena.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a ceramic buffer layer and superconducting layer are used in the superconducting wire, then high critical current density and high magnetic field characteristics are achieved, but mechanical strength deteriorates and the wire becomes vulnerable to damage during coil winding and quenching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure combining ceramic materials (buffer layer and superconducting layer) with metal materials (metal substrate and stabilizing layer). The ceramic layers provide high critical current density and high magnetic field characteristics, while the metal substrate and stabilizing layer provide mechanical strength and flexibility. This composite structure allows the wire to maintain both electrical performance and mechanical durability during coil winding and quenching operations.
2Temperature
If high-temperature superconducting material is used, then thermal capacity and critical temperature are improved, but quench propagation speed decreases making quench detection difficult and wire burnout more likely
Solution Approach 1:
The metal substrate and stabilizing layer act as intermediaries that facilitate heat transfer and quench propagation throughout the wire structure. When a quench occurs in the superconducting layer, the metal components rapidly conduct the heat and electrical energy away from the quench point, enabling faster detection and preventing localized burnout despite the inherently slow quench propagation speed of high-temperature superconducting materials.
3Ease of manufacture
If the superconducting wire structure is simplified, then manufacturing ease is improved, but mechanical strength and resistance to deterioration during operation are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The wire is segmented into distinct functional layers: metal substrate, buffer layer, superconducting layer, and stabilizing layer. Each layer performs a specific function and can be optimized independently. The buffer layer protects the superconducting layer from mechanical stress, the metal substrate provides structural support and thermal management, and the stabilizing layer enhances overall mechanical strength. This segmented approach allows for simplified manufacturing of each layer while ensuring the composite structure achieves high resistance to deterioration during operation.
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 enhanced mechanical strength and self-protection capabilities of the superconducting wire reduce the risk of deterioration and quench-induced damage, making it suitable for high magnetic field applications while minimizing AC loss and magnetic field effects in superconducting coils.
Implementation Method 1
the plurality of wedges may mechanically connect the stabilizing layer and the metal substrate
Implementation Method 2
the plurality of wedges may electrically connect the superconducting layer with the metal substrate or the stabilizing layer
Implementation Method 3
the plurality of wedges may thermally connect the superconducting layer with the buffer layer, and the superconducting layer with the metal substrate
Implementation Method 4
A high-temperature superconducting wire operating at a liquefied nitrogen temperature exhibits a high critical current density characteristic at a high magnetic field
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a stacking structure of a superconducting wire. The present invention provides a superconducting wire in which a metal substrate, a buffer layer, a superconducting layer, and a stabilizing layer are stacked, the superconducting wire including: a plurality of wedges which penetrates through the superconducting layer and the buffer layer to connect the stabilizing layer and the metal substrate. According to the present invention, it is possible to provide the superconducting wire of which mechanical strength is improved to have high resistance against to deterioration or delamination. Further, the present invention may provide the superconducting wire which is self-protectable against a quench phenomenon. Further, the present invention may provide the superconducting wire which is suitable for application of a high magnetic field.