Cryogenic fluid level sensor
AssigneeIllinois Superconductor Corporation
InventorsJames D. Hodge, Lori J. Klemptner, Justin Whitney
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Abstract
A cryogenic fluid level sensor utilizing a high temperature ceramic superconductor material driven above its level of critical current density, an exterior housing for holding the length of ceramic superconductor material, a support material disposed between the ceramic superconductor material and the exterior housing, and a resilient retention material disposed opposite the ceramic superconductor material for holding the superconductor material while allowing expansion and contraction thereof during thermal cycling. A method of producing a superconductor material having a low level of critical current density and favorable structural properties is also disclosed.
Claims14
A cryogenic fluid level sensor assembly, comprising:
- a length of high temperature ceramic superconductor material including means for operating said high temperature ceramic superconductor material above its level of critical current density providing an indication of a level of cryogenic fluid as determined by the length of fluid in contact with said ceramic superconductor material, said means for operating said high temperature superconductor material above its level of critical current density producing greater sensitivity of said indication of the level of the cryogenic fluid;
- an exterior housing disposed apart from and at least partly around said ceramic superconductor and material for holding said length of ceramic superconductor material;
- a support material disposed between said ceramic superconductor material and said exterior housing;
- and
- a resilient retention material disposed opposite said exterior housing and opposite said ceramic superconductor material for holding said superconductor material while allowing expansion and contraction thereof during thermal cycling.
A cryogenic fluid level sensor assembly constructed using a high temperature superconductor material which has an inherent critical current density, comprising:
- a high temperature ceramic superconductor material including a microstructure having means included therein for reducing the level of critical current density of said superconductor material below the inherent critical current density, said ceramic superconductor providing an indication of cryogenic fluid level in a container in contact with said superconductor material by operating said superconductor material above its critical current density;
- and
- a housing for holding said ceramic superconductor material.
A cryogenic fluid level sensor assembly, comprising:
- a container and cryogenic fluid positioned therein;
- a high temperature ceramic superconductor material in contact with the cryogenic fluid, said superconductor material including a microstructure having means included therein for reducing the level of critical current density of said superconductor material;
- and
- means for driving said superconductor material above its reduced level of critical current density for providing greater sensitivity to cryogenic fluid level changes and for providing joule heating to reduce ice formation on said assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.