Cryogen protected superconducting ceramic tape
AssigneeAmerican Superconductor Corporation
InventorsJohn D. Scudiere, David M. Buczek
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A high performance superconducting ceramic article for use in a liquid cryogen bath is provided. It includes a superconducting ceramic tape having at least one surface vulnerable to cryogenic infiltration is sealed on each vulnerable surface to a non-porous metallic laminate, which also provides the desired support structure, in substantially impervious relation by a non-porous metallic bonding agent. This results in greater protection of the superconducting ceramic tape from cryogen infiltration, and permits greater thermal cycling of the superconductor during use without causing degradation of the tape's critical current carrying capacity.
Claims19
A superconducting ceramic conductor for use in a liquid cryogen, comprising:
- a superconducting ceramic tape comprising a noble metal matrix supporting a plurality of superconducting portions, the superconducting tape defining a top surface and a bottom surface;
- separate non-porous metallic tapes laminated to the top and bottom surfaces of the superconducting tape, wherein the metallic tapes substantially prevent cryogen infiltration of the top and bottom surfaces, thereby permitting thermal cycling of the superconducting ceramic conductor;
- and
- a bonding agent attaching each of the metallic tapes to the superconducting tape.
A cryogenically cooled assembly comprising:
- a vessel for containing a liquid cryogen,
- a liquid cryogen, and
- a superconducting article at least partially immersed in the liquid cryogen, the article comprising a superconducting ceramic conductor in direct contact with the liquid cryogen which comprises
- a superconducting ceramic tape comprising a noble metal matrix supporting a plurality of superconducting portions, wherein the superconducting tape defines a top surface and a bottom surface,
- separate non-porous metallic tapes laminated to the top and bottom surfaces, wherein the metallic tapes substantially prevent cryogen infiltration of the top and bottom surfaces, thereby permitting thermal cycling of the superconducting ceramic conductor;
- and
- a bonding agent attaching each of the metallic tapes to the superconducting tape.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.