Cryogenic capacitors
OwnerOtward M. Mueller, Eduard K. Mueller +1inventors
InventorsOtward M. Mueller, Eduard K. Mueller, Michael J. Hennessy
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Abstract
This invention describes a means by which performance characteristics of capacitors can be improved. This is achieved by reducing the temperature, preferably but not exclusively to cryogenic temperatures below 100 K. This is based on the observation that the dielectric strength, dielectric losses and plate losses in many capacitors, such as film capacitors, improve as the temperature is decreased. A cryogenic capacitor bank is also described, which exhibits energy densities up to four times those of conventional, room-temperature capacitor banks. Cryogenic capacitors can be combined with cryogenically operated semiconductors or with superconductors in such a way as to reduce the size, weight, and losses of a complete system.
Claims18
A system for storing electrical energy, comprising:
- an energy storage unit having an electrical input and an electrical output, said energy storage unit including a capacitor with performance characteristics that are enhanced at temperatures below 300K;
- a refrigeration unit thermally connected to said capacitor to cool said capacitor to enhance its performance,
- wherein one said enhanced performance characteristic of said capacitor is its breakdown voltage, said capacitor being safely operable at a temperature less than 300K at a higher voltage than its rated 300K breakdown voltage.
A method of using a capacitor, comprising the steps of:
- a) providing a capacitor, said capacitor having at least one performance characteristic at 300K that is enhanced when said capacitor is operated at a temperature lower than 300K, one said enhanced performance characteristic of said capacitor being its breakdown voltage, said capacitor being safely operable at a temperature less than 300K at a higher voltage than its rated 300K breakdown voltage;
- b) providing a refrigeration unit having a heat transfer relationship with said capacitor;
- c) operating said refrigeration unit to cool said capacitor below 300K to enhance said at least one characteristic;
- d) operating said cooled capacitor in a circuit providing input to and taking output from said capacitor, said circuit benefiting from said at least one enhanced characteristic.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.