Current lead for cryostat using composite high temperature superconductors

• Main Authors: SINGH; SHARAD K, WU; JIING-LIANG, DEDERER; JEFFREY T
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 29.03.1994
• Edition: 5
• Subjects: BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS; BLASTING; ELECTRICITY; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED,LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; HEATING; INDUCTANCES; LIGHTING; MAGNETS; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR MAGNETIC PROPERTIES; STORING OF DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ARTCOLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS; TRANSFORMERS; VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED ORSOLIDIFIED GASES; WEAPONS

A vapor cooled current lead for a superconducting device located in a cryostat includes a normal conductor section extending from ambient conditions inward to an intermediate point, and a composite lead having a ceramic high temperature superconductor core with a metallic sheath extending between the normal conductor section and the superconducting device, preferably in a helical path to reduce heat leak by conduction. The metallic sheath is stripped away at spaced intervals, preferably adjacent the low temperature end of the composite lead, and the gaps are filled with a filler which provides mechanical strength for the core and reduces thermal conduction. A flow of cryogen vapor directed by a tubular housing maintains the high temperature superconducting material below its critical temperature, and cools the normal conductors.