High-temperature superconductor and its use

Abstract

In the case of high-temperature superconductors (6) which are used as inductive current limiters, unless any special precautionary measure is taken, there is a risk that short-circuit currents can lead to local stress centers and hot spots, and to local destruction of the high-temperature superconductor. In order to avoid this, a hollow cylinder (SL) of the high-temperature superconductor (6) is coated with a 1 .mu.m thick conductive-silver layer (E1). A second 10 .mu.m thick metal layer of foil made of silver or aluminum can be deposited thereon. In order to reduce or to avoid tensile stresses in the ceramic of the hollow cylinder (SL) made of a high-temperature superconductor, and in order to reduce the electrical contact resistance of the metal layers, this hollow cylinder (SL) has a mechanical reinforcing element (7), made of an elastic steel wire, wound around it, at room temperature, under tensile stress. Subsequently, this reinforcing element (7) is fixed by means of a solder or a cold-resistant synthetic resin (8), so that reinforcing element tensile stress and a compressive pressure on the hollow cylinder (SL) are maintained even at temperatures below 100K.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.