Mechanical power transmission systems

Claim 2

An electrical transmission system for mechanical power which comprises a mechanical power source, an alternating-current generator driven by said power source, an alternating-current synchronous motor driven by said generator, stationary magneticflux-producing means including a direct-current coil for said generator and said motor, said magnetic-flux-producing means being in a single enclosure, said enclosure containing a liquid coolant adapted to cool said coil means to a state of superconductivity, and refrigeration means coupled with said enclosure for cooling, circulating and storing said coolant.

Claim 3

An electrical transmission system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said enclosure is substantial torus-shaped and is disposed between said generator and said motor.

Claim 4

An electrical transmission system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said coil means comprise two sets, a first set for said generator and a second set for said motor, there being more magnetic flux fields produced by said second set than by said first set.

Claim 5

An electrical transmission system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said coil means comprise undulated strips.

Claim 6

An electrical transmission system in accordance with claim 4 wherein each of said strips is exposed to said coolant on at least one of its surfaces.

Claim 7

An electrical transmission system in accordance with claim 5 wherein said strips are spaced apart whereby said coolant circulates therebetween.

Claim 8

An eddy current coupling device which comprises a housing, a rotatable inductor drum in said housing, a field member in said housing associated with said drum and providing an interlinking magnetic flux therewith, said field member including a coil, an enclosure in said housing with said coil being mounted therein, first and second liquid coolants, the first of said coolants disposed in said enclosure and adapted to cool said coil to superconductivity, the second of said coolants adapted to cool said drum to a cryogenic temperature range, said second coolant being confined in said housing, a cryogenic fluid refrigerator and conduits connecting said refrigerator with said first coolant in said enclosure and said second coolant in said housing.

Claim 9

An eddy current coupling device which comprises a housing, a rotatable inductor drum in said housing, a field member in said housing associated with said drum and providing an interlinking magnetic flux therewith, said field member including a coil, an enclosure in said housing with said coil being mounted therein, first and second liquid coolants, the first of said coolants disposed in said enclosure and adapted to cool said coil to superconductivity, the second of said coolants adapted to cool said drum to a cryogenic temperature range, said second coolant being confined in said housing, a cryogenic fluid refrigerator and conduits connecting said refrigerator with said first coolant in said enclosure and said second coolant in said housing.

Claim 10

An eddy current coupling device in accordance with claim 7 wherein said enclosure is torus-shaped.

Claim 11

An eddy current coupling device in accordance with claim 7 wherein said coil comprises strips.

Claim 12

An eddy current coupling device in accordance with claim 9 wherein each of said strips is exposed to said first coolant on at least one of its surfaces.

Claim 13

An eddy current coupling device in accordance with claim 10 wherein said strips are spaced apart whereby said first coolant circulates therebetween.

Claim 14

An eddy current braking device which comprises a housing, a stationary enclosure in said housing, a coil mounted in said enclOsure for producing a magnetic field, a stationary field member mounted in said housing providing a path for magnetic flux produced by said coil, a rotatable shaft received in said housing, an induction drum in said housing affixed to said shaft and situated to receive the magnetic flux produced by said coil, first and second liquid coolants, the first of said coolants surrounding said coil within said enclosure and adapted to cool said coil to superconductivity, the second of said coolants surrounding said drum and being confined within said housing, said second coolant adapted to cool said drum to a cryogenic temperature range, a cryogenic fluids refrigerator, and conduits connecting said refrigerator with said first coolant in said enclosure and said second coolant in said housing.

Claim 15

An eddy current braking device which comprises a housing, a stationary enclosure in said housing, a coil mounted in said enclOsure for producing a magnetic field, a stationary field member mounted in said housing providing a path for magnetic flux produced by said coil, a rotatable shaft received in said housing, an induction drum in said housing affixed to said shaft and situated to receive the magnetic flux produced by said coil, first and second liquid coolants, the first of said coolants surrounding said coil within said enclosure and adapted to cool said coil to superconductivity, the second of said coolants surrounding said drum and being confined within said housing, said second coolant adapted to cool said drum to a cryogenic temperature range, a cryogenic fluids refrigerator, and conduits connecting said refrigerator with said first coolant in said enclosure and said second coolant in said housing.

Claim 16

An eddy current braking device in accordance with claim 12 wherein said enclosure is torus-shaped.

Claim 17

An eddy current braking device in accordance with claim 13 wherein said enclosure surrounds said shaft.

Claim 18

An eddy current braking device in accordance with claim 12 wherein said coil is comprised of a conductor strip surrounded by said coolant.

Claim 19

In an electrical transmission system for mechanical power, a direct-current magnetic flux producing coil, said coil comprised of strips composed of material which becomes superconductive when cooled to its superconductive transition temperature, an enclosure, said coil mounted in said enclosure, a first coolant surrounding said coil adapted to cool said coil strips to at least their transition temperature, a rotating conductive member responsive to the magnetic flux produced by said coil, the conductivity of said rotating member being substantially increased when said rotating member is cooled to a predetermined cryogenic temperature range, a housing for said rotating conductive member, a second coolant within said housing surrounding said rotating member and cooling same to a temperature in said temperature range, and refrigeration means for said coolants.

Claim 20

In an electrical transmission system for mechanical power, a direct-current magnetic flux producing coil, said coil comprised of strips composed of material which becomes superconductive when cooled to its superconductive transition temperature, an enclosure, said coil mounted in said enclosure, a first coolant surrounding said coil adapted to cool said coil strips to at least their transition temperature, a rotating conductive member responsive to the magnetic flux produced by said coil, the conductivity of said rotating member being substantially increased when said rotating member is cooled to a predetermined cryogenic temperature range, a housing for said rotating conductive member, a second coolant within said housing surrounding said rotating member and cooling same to a temperature in said temperature range, and refrigeration means for said coolants.

Claim 21

Structure as claimed in claim 16 in a direct current motor and also in a magnetic clutch coupled thereto, there being a common refrigeration means for said motor and said motor.

Claim 22

Structure as claimed in claim 16 in an alternating-current generator, in a direct-current motor, and in a magnetic clutch, which together couple a mechanical power source with a load, there being a common refrigeration means for said generator, motor and clutch.

Claim 23

Structure as claimed in claim 17 which includes a cryogenically cooled magnetic brake, conduit means circulating coolants from said common refrigeration means through said brake.

Claim 24

A power conversion unit which comprises a magnetic-flux-producing means disposed in a ring, an electrical generator part including a half-torus part surrounding one-half of said magnetic-flux-producing means, a motor part including a further half-torus part surrounding another half of said magnetic flux producing means, an electrical generating circuit included in said first-mentioned half-torus part, electrical motor circuit means included in said further half-torus part, conductive means connecting said generating circuit and said motor circuit, and a switch in said conductive means, said magnetic-flux-producing means comprising field coils which are undulating foil strips.

Claim 25

A power conversion unit which comprises a magnetic-flux-producing means disposed in a ring, an electrical generator part including a half-torus part surrounding one-half of said magnetic-flux-producing means, a motor part including a further half-torus part surrounding another half of said magnetic flux producing means, an electrical generating circuit included in said first-mentioned half-torus part, electrical motor circuit means included in said further half-torus part, conductive means connecting said generating circuit and said motor circuit, and a switch in said conductive means, said magnetic-flux-producing means comprising field coils which are undulating foil strips.

Claim 26

The power conversion unit in accordance with claim 20 wherein said foil strips are composed of superconducting material, and including means for lowering the temperature of said foil strips to at least their superconducting transition temperatures.

Claim 27

The power conversion unit in accordance with claim 20 wherein the number of magnetic poles produced on one side of said field coils is greater than on the other side.