A superconducting cable system with evaporative cooling
AssigneeSupernode LTD
InventorsDeon VOLSCHENK, Eoin HODGE
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Abstract
The present invention provides a superconducting cable system suitable for use over long distances and adapted to achieve improved heat absorption through the use of the latent heat of vaporisation of a liquid cryogen, the system including a cryogen supply duct, a superconductor extending longitudinally of the supply duct, a vapour return duct and an evaporation enabling medium disposed between the supply duct and the vapour return duct.
Claims22
A superconducting cable system comprising at least one liquid permeable supply duct;
- a supply of cryogenic fluid within a lumen of the at least one supply duct;
- at least one superconductor extending longitudinally of the at least one supply duct and in thermal communication with the cryogenic fluid;
- at least one vapour return duct;
- and an evaporation enabling medium disposed between the at least one supply duct and the at least one vapour return duct and arranged to affect a phase change of the cryogen therein through the latent heat of vaporization.
A method for controlling the temperature of a material contained within an elongate conduit, the method comprising the steps of forcing a liquid cryogen along a supply path within the conduit and in thermal communication with the material;
- driving at least a portion of the liquid cryogen across an evaporation enabling medium and absorbing heat so as to evaporate into a vapour return duct using the latent heat of vaporization;
- and extracting the vaporised cryogen from the vapour return duct.
A cryogen conduit comprising at least one liquid permeable supply duct;
- a supply of cryogenic fluid within a lumen of the at least one supply duct;
- at least one vapour return duct;
- and an evaporation enabling medium disposed between the at least one supply duct and the at least one vapour return duct and arranged to affect a phase change of at least a portion of the cryogen therein through the latent heat of vaporization.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.