Processes, systems and devices for metal filling of high temperature superconductor cables
AssigneeMassachusetts Institute of Technology
InventorsAmanda HUBBARD, James IRBY, Rui VIEIRA, William BECK, Richard MURRAY, Andrew PFEIFFER, Thomas TOLAND, William BURKE
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Techniques described herein relate to systems and methods for obtaining a high temperature superconducting (HTS) cable assembly and filling the HTS cable assembly with a molten metal, such as solder.
Claims28
1-13. (canceled)
A vacuum-pressure impregnation (VPI) station for filling a cable assembly containing high temperature superconducting (HTS) material with a molten metal, the station comprising:
- a) a can configured to hold a source of molten metal;
- b) one or more heaters arranged to heat an HTS cable assembly, the HTS cable assembly comprising at least one of a tube or a former having at least one channel formed or otherwise provided therein and having HTS material disposed in at least one of the at least one channel of the tube or the former;
- c) pressure applying means, coupled to the can, for applying pressure to molten metal in the can so as to force the molten metal from the can through the at least one channel of the tube or former, and
- d) a siphon coupled to the can arranged at a height greater than a height of the molten metal in the can to inhibit flow of the molten metal from the can when the pressure applying means is inactive.
A vacuum-pressure impregnation (VPI) station for filling a cable assembly containing high temperature superconducting (HTS) material with a molten metal, the station comprising:
- a) a can configured to hold a source of molten metal;
- b) one or more heaters arranged to heat an HTS cable assembly, the HTS cable assembly comprising at least one of a tube or a former having at least one channel formed or otherwise provided therein and having HTS material disposed in at least one of the at least one channel of the tube or the former;
- c) pressure applying means, coupled to the can, for applying pressure to molten metal in the can so as to force the molten metal from the can through the at least one channel of the tube or former, and
- d) comprising a plurality of contact sensors configured to monitor the flow of metal from the can into the at least one channel of the tube or former.
A diffuser, for channeling a molten metal into and/or out of an N-channel former, the diffuser comprising:
- an elongate member having a cone-shaped end, a smooth shank portion and a twisted-groove portion having N-grooves provided therein, the twisted-groove portion having a flared-shape with a diameter which increases from a first end of the twisted-groove portion toward the second end of the twisted-groove portion and wherein the N-grooves of the twisted-groove portion are configured to direct a molten metal into the channels of the N-channel former.
A method comprising:
- obtaining an HTS cable assembly;
- bending the an HTS cable assembly;
- and
- filling the bent HTS cable assembly with a molten metal.
(canceled)
A vacuum-pressure impregnation (VPI) station for filling a cable assembly containing high temperature superconducting (HTS) material with a molten metal, the VPI station comprising:
- a) a can configured to hold a source of molten metal;
- b) means for heating an HTS cable assembly, the HTS cable assembly comprising at least one of a tube or a former having at least one channel formed or otherwise provided therein and having HTS material disposed in at least one of the at least one channel of the tube or the former;
- c) pressure applying means, coupled to the can, for applying pressure to molten metal in the can so as to force the molten metal from the can through the at least one channel of the tube or former;
- and
- d) an exit siphon and dump configured to couple to one end of an HTS cable assembly and configured to allow extra solder to flow through the HTS cable assembly to flush flux and completely fill the HTS cable assembly with a molten metal from the can, such that end of cable remain pressurized by molten metal and impurities cannot return to the HTS cable assembly.
31-40. (canceled)
A method comprising:
- at least partially filling at least one channel of a high temperature superconductor (HTS) cable assembly with a molten metal, the HTS cable assembly comprising an HTS and the at least one channel;
- and
- depositing flux into the at least one channel prior to at least partially filling the at least one channel with the molten metal.
A method comprising:
- at least partially filling at least one channel of a high temperature superconductor (HTS) cable assembly with a molten metal, the HTS cable assembly comprising an HTS and the at least one channel;
- and
- subsequent to at least partially filling the at least one channel with the molten metal, progressively cooling the HTS cable assembly toward a source of the molten metal.
A method for filling an HTS cable with a molten metal, the method comprising heating at least portions of the HTS cable comprising an HTS tape using a time-temperature exposure profile that does not degrade HTS tape characteristics by more than 5%.
A method for filling an HTS cable comprising:
- bending a cable assembly having an HTS material disposed therein;
- after bending the cable assembly, filling the cable assembly with a molten metal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.