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US 6,583,351 B1Granted
Superconducting cable-in-conduit low resistance splice
AssigneeBWX Technologies, Inc.
InventorThomas A. Artman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A low resistance splice connects two cable-in-conduit superconductors to each other. Dividing collars for arranging sub-cable units from each conduit are provided, along with clamping collars for mating each sub-cable wire assembly to form mated assemblies. The mated assemblies ideally can be accomplished by way of splicing collar. The mated assemblies are cooled by way of a flow of coolant, preferably helium. A method for implementing such a splicing is also described.
Claims25
A low resistance superconductor splice comprising:
- a first cable-in-conduit superconductor unit having a plurality of sub-cable units wherein each sub-cable unit contains a plurality of sub-cable wire assemblies and wherein each sub-cable wire assembly includes at least one superconducting element;
- a second cable-in-conduit superconductor unit having a plurality of sub-cable units wherein each sub-cable unit contains a plurality of sub-cable wire assemblies and wherein each sub-cable wire assembly includes at least one superconducting element;
- means for arranging each sub-cable unit of the first cable-in-conduit superconductor unit to be in close proximity to each sub-cable unit of the second cable-in-conduit superconductor unit;
- means for mating individual sub-cable wire assemblies of each sub-cable unit of the first cable-in-conduit superconductor unit in an electrically conductive fashion to individual sub-cable wire assemblies of each sub-cable unit of the second cable-in-conduit superconductor unit in order to form a plurality of mated sub-cable wire assemblies;
- means for cooling each mated sub-cable wire assembly to maintain superconductivity in the first and second cable-in-conduit superconductor units, the means for cooling being fluidically connected to the means for mating;
- a sealed enclosure surrounding the means for arranging, the means for mating, and the means for cooling and a welded conduit holder for initially positioning the first and second cable-in-conduit units;
- and
- wherein the means for arranging is positioned in between the conduit holder and the means for mating.
5 more elements
A low resistance superconductor splice comprising:
- a first cable-in-conduit superconductor unit having a plurality of sub-cable units wherein each sub-cable unit contains a plurality of sub-cable wire assemblies and wherein each sub-cable wire assembly includes at least one superconducting element;
- a second cable-in-conduit superconductor unit having a plurality of sub-cable units wherein each sub-cable unit contains a plurality of sub-cable wire assemblies and wherein each sub-cable wire assembly includes at least one superconducting element;
- a divider collar for arranging each sub-cable unit of the first cable-in-conduit superconductor unit to be in close proximity to each sub-cable unit of the second cable-in-conduit superconductor unit wherein the divider collar includes two pieces held together by at least one fastening device;
- means for mating individual sub-cable wire assemblies of each sub-cable unit of the first cable-in-conduit superconductor unit in an electrically conductive fashion to individual sub-cable wire assemblies of each sub-cable unit of the second cable-in-conduit superconductor unit in order to form a plurality of mated sub-cable wire assemblies;
- and
- means for cooling each mated sub-cable wire assembly to maintain superconductivity in the first and second cable-in-conduit superconductor units, the means for cooling being fluidically connected to the means for mating.
3 more elements
A low resistance superconductor splice comprising:
- a first cable-in-conduit superconductor unit having a plurality of sub-cable units wherein each sub-cable unit contains a plurality of sub-cable wire assemblies and wherein each sub-cable wire assembly includes at least one superconducting element;
- a second cable-in-conduit superconductor unit having a plurality of sub-cable units wherein each sub-cable unit contains a plurality of sub-cable wire assemblies and wherein each sub-cable wire assembly includes at least one superconducting element;
- a divider collar for arranging each sub-cable unit of the first cable-in-conduit superconductor unit to be in close proximity to each sub-cable unit of the second cable-in-conduit superconductor unit;
- a clamping collar, at least one positioning member interposed within the clamping collar, and an electrically conductive joining media for mating individual sub-cable wire assemblies of each sub-cable unit of the first cable-in-conduit superconductor unit in an electrically conductive fashion to individual sub-cable wire assemblies of each sub-cable unit of the second cable-in-conduit superconductor unit in order to form a plurality of mated sub-cable wire assemblies;
- and
- means for cooling each mated sub-cable wire assembly to maintain superconductivity in the first and second cable-in-conduit superconductor units, the means for cooling being fluidically connected to the means for mating.
3 more elements
A low resistance superconductor splice comprising:
- a first cable-in-conduit superconductor unit having a plurality of sub-cable units wherein each sub-cable unit contains a plurality of sub-cable wire assemblies and wherein each sub-cable unit of the first cable-in-conduit superconductor unit has a defined diameter and wherein each sub-cable wire assembly includes at least one superconducting element;
- a second cable-in-conduit superconductor unit having a plurality of sub-cable units wherein each sub-cable unit contains a plurality of sub-cable wire assemblies and wherein each sub-cable wire assembly includes at least one superconducting element;
- a divider collar for arranging each sub-cable unit of the first cable-in-conduit superconductor unit to be in close proximity to each sub-cable unit of the second cable-in-conduit superconductor unit wherein the divider collar includes a plurality of dividing channels associated with each sub-cable unit and wherein the dividing channels are formed from an electrically non-conductive material and wherein each dividing channel has a depth which is less than the diameter of the sub-cable unit of the first cable-in-conduit superconductor unit;
- means for mating individual sub-cable wire assemblies of each sub-cable unit of the first cable-in-conduit superconductor unit in an electrically conductive fashion to individual sub-cable wire assemblies of each sub-cable unit of the second cable-in-conduit superconductor unit in order to form a plurality of mated sub-cable wire assemblies;
- and
- means for cooling each mated sub-cable wire assembly to maintain superconductivity in the first and second cable-in-conduit superconductor units, the means for cooling being fluidically connected to the means for mating.
3 more elements
A method for splicing a first cable-in-conduit superconductor unit to a second cable-in-conduit superconductor unit comprising:
- providing first and second cable-in-conduit superconductor units, each unit having a plurality of sub-cable units wherein each sub-cable unit contains a plurality of sub-cable wire assemblies;
- providing a divider collar having individual, electrically non-conductive divider channels for each sub-cable unit from the first cable-in-conduit superconductor unit;
- placing each sub-cable unit of the first cable-in-conduit superconductor unit in a divider channel along with a corresponding sub-cable unit of the second cable-in-conduit superconductor unit;
- and securely fastening the divider collar;
- intertwining an individual sub-cable wire assemblies from the sub-cable unit of the first cable-in-conduit superconductor unit with a corresponding one of said sub-cable wire assemblies from the sub-cable unit of the second cable-in-conduit superconductor unit to form a plurality of mated assemblies;
- surrounding a portion of each mated assembly with an electrically conductive media;
- enclosing each mated assembly in a sealed housing;
- and
- providing a coolant to the sealed housing in order to maintain superconductivity in the first and second cable-in-conduit superconductor units.
6 more elements
A method for splicing a first cable-in-conduit superconductor unit to a second cable-in-conduit superconductor unit comprising:
- providing first and second cable-in-conduit superconductor units, each unit having a plurality of sub-cable units wherein each sub-cable unit contains a plurality of sub-cable wire assemblies;
- arranging the sub-cable units of the first cable-in-conduit superconductor unit in close proximity to corresponding said sub-cable units of the second cable-in-conduit superconductor unit;
- intertwining an individual of said sub-cable wire assemblies from the sub-cable unit of the first cable-in-conduit superconductor unit with a corresponding one of said sub-cable wire assemblies from the sub-cable unit of the second cable-in-conduit superconductor unit to form a plurality of mated assemblies;
- providing a splicing collar with individual, electrically non-conductive splicing channels for each mated assembly formed therein;
- encapsulating a portion of mated assembly in a solder material;
- placing at least the soldered portion of each mated assembly in a splicing channel;
- securely fastening the splicing collar;
- enclosing each mated assembly in a sealed housing;
- and
- providing a coolant to the sealed housing in order to maintain superconductivity in the first and second cable-in-conduit superconductor units.
7 more elements
A method for splicing a first cable-in-conduit superconductor unit to a second cable-in-conduit superconductor unit comprising:
- providing first and second cable-in-conduit superconductor units, each unit having a plurality of sub-cable units wherein each sub-cable unit contains a plurality of sub-cable wire assemblies;
- arranging the sub-cable units of the first cable-in-conduit superconductor unit in close proximity to corresponding sub-cable units of the second cable-in-conduit superconductor unit;
- twisting under tension a length of a terminal end of an individual said sub-cable wire assemblies from the sub-cable unit of the first cable-in-conduit superconductor unit with a corresponding length of a terminal end of one of said sub-cable wire assemblies from the sub-cable unit of the second cable-in-conduit superconductor unit to form a plurality of mated assemblies each having a defined length;
- surrounding a portion of each mated assembly with an electrically conductive media;
- enclosing each mated assembly in a sealed housing;
- and
- providing a coolant to the sealed housing in order to maintain superconductivity in the first and second cable-in-conduit superconductor units.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.