Superconductive Cable AC Loss Reduction via Wire Rod Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Superconductive cables experience significant alternating current (AC) loss during AC power transmission due to the orientation and direction of metal substrates and superconducting layers in second-generation superconductive wire rods, which limits their efficiency and stability in electric power systems.
Innovation Solution
The superconductive cable design optimizes the orientation of metal substrate and superconducting layers in both conductor and shield layers by positioning the metal substrate layers towards the center and superconducting layers in a radial direction, using second-generation superconductive wire rods with a nickel alloy substrate, to minimize AC loss and improve critical current stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If second-generation superconductive wire rods with nickel alloy substrate are used to achieve high critical current density, then critical current capability is improved, but AC loss increases due to magnetic metal substrate orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the orientation of metal substrate layers in conductor layers versus shield layers. Conductor layer wire rods are oriented with metal substrate layers parallel to the cable axis to maximize critical current, while shield layer wire rods are oriented with metal substrate layers perpendicular to the cable axis to minimize AC loss from electromagnetic induction. This localized differentiation resolves the contradiction between achieving high critical current and minimizing AC loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetry by creating non-uniform orientation patterns of superconductive wire rods within the cable structure. Different sections (conductor vs. shield) use different orientation configurations, and within each section, alternating patterns of orientations are used. This asymmetric arrangement allows the system to simultaneously achieve high current carrying capacity in conductors while minimizing energy loss in shields through strategic orientation variation.
2Power
If multiple superconductive wire rods are arranged in parallel to increase power transmission capacity, then power transmission capability is improved, but AC loss accumulates due to multiple magnetic metal substrates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the superconductive cable into distinct functional sections: conductor layers with wire rods oriented to maximize current carrying capacity, and shield layers with wire rods oriented to minimize AC loss. Within each layer, multiple wire rods are arranged in parallel but with alternating orientations. This segmentation allows the system to scale power transmission capacity by adding more wire rods while controlling overall AC loss through the segmented orientation strategy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent addresses the AC loss accumulation problem by introducing orientation as an additional dimension of control beyond simply increasing the number of wire rods. By varying the angular orientation of wire rods in different layers and positions, the system can accommodate higher power transmission requirements through increased wire rod count while using orientation variation to counterbalance and minimize the cumulative AC loss from multiple magnetic metal substrates.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional wire rod orientation is used to simplify manufacturing, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but AC loss cannot be minimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-orienting the metal substrate layers of superconductive wire rods during the manufacturing process according to their intended function. Conductor layer wire rods are pre-oriented with substrates parallel to the cable axis, while shield layer wire rods are pre-oriented with substrates perpendicular to the cable axis. This preliminary orientation during manufacturing enables the cable to achieve minimal AC loss in operation without requiring complex adjustments or controls during installation or operation, balancing manufacturing feasibility with performance optimization.
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 configuration effectively reduces AC loss and enhances the stability of electric power transmission by optimizing the orientation of metal substrates and superconducting layers, thereby improving the overall performance and efficiency of the superconductive cable.
Implementation Method 1
A superconductive wire rod has great electric-power transmission capability even at a low voltage because the electrical resistance thereof converges close to zero at a given temperature
Implementation Method 2
a cooling unit provided outside the core unit, the cooling unit having a circulation flow path of a liquid-phase refrigerant for cooling the core unit
Implementation Method 3
a thermal insulation unit provided outside the cooling unit, the thermal insulation unit being configured by winding a thermal insulation material multiple times
Implementation Method 4
a superconductive shield layer for shielding, for example, electromagnetism induced by the superconductive conductor layer
Data Source
AI summary
A superconductive cable including: a former; one or more superconductive conductor layers provided outside the former; an insulating layer configured to surround the superconductive conductor layers; and one or more superconductive shield layers provided on an exterior of the insulating layer. The superconductive conductor layers and the superconductive shield layers are formed of superconductive wire rods, and each superconductive wire rod includes a metal substrate layer and a plurality of superconducting layers deposited on the metal substrate layer using a superconductive material. In the superconductive wire rods of an outermost superconductive conductor layer among the superconductive conductor layers and an innermost superconductive shield layer among the superconductive shield layers, each of the metal substrate layers and the superconducting layers are disposed in opposite directions.