US3689780A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Control of flow across a weak link in superconductive and superfluid devices
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1969-08-14
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Granted: 1972-09-05
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Expires: 1989-08-14
Abstract
Abstract A method and means for influencing flow in a superconductive or superfluid device by introducing a control flow into a region interposed between two regions characterized by internal flow in the form of superflow. A superconductive device is presented comprising a superconductive region capable of emitting current and a superconductive region capable of receiving current, which regions are separated by an interposed region, not in a superconductive state but capable of transferring current between the two regions. When control current (AC or DC) is introduced into the interposed region from an external source, an interaction takes place between the control current and the main current being transferred through the interposed region and influences the main current in a manner which is described. An equivalent superfluid device is also discussed for electrically neutral fluid flow across a region separating two regions characterized by internal superflow.
Inventors
- 👤 Hans Walter Meissner
- 👤 Roger R Rockefeller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 12:52
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10N; H10N60/00; H10N60/10; H10N60/12; H03; H03K; H03K17/00; H03K17/51; H03K17/92; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S505/00; Y10S505/825; Y10S505/856; Y10S505/857; Y10S505/865
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 40
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
A superflow device comprising: a. a first region capable of emitting net flow at least part of which is superflow distinct from normal flow; b. a second region capable of receiving net flow at least part of which is superflow; c. a third region interposed at least partially between said first and second regions and capable of accepting flow emitted from said first region and of transferring at least a part of said flow to said second region; and d. means coupled with said third region for introducing control flow therein.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
91 words
A superflow device comprising: a. a first region capable of emitting net flow at least part of which is superflow distinct from normal flow; b. a second region capable of receiving net flow at least part of which is superflow; c. a third region interposed at least partially between said first and second regions and capable of accepting flow emitted from said first region and of transferring at least a part of said flow to said second region; and d. means coupled with said third region for introducing control flow therein.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
99 words
A superconductive device comprising: a. a first region capable of emitting net current and characterized by internal flow of current which proceeds as supercurrent distinct from normal current; b. a second region capable of receiving net current and characterized by internal flow of current which proceeds as supercurrent; c. a third region interposed at least partially between said first and second regions and capable of accepting net current emitted from said first region and of transferring at least a part of said current to said second region; and d. means coupled with said third region for exchanging flow therewith.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
99 words
A superconductive device comprising: a. a first region capable of emitting net current and characterized by internal flow of current which proceeds as supercurrent distinct from normal current; b. a second region capable of receiving net current and characterized by internal flow of current which proceeds as supercurrent; c. a third region interposed at least partially between said first and second regions and capable of accepting net current emitted from said first region and of transferring at least a part of said current to said second region; and d. means coupled with said third region for exchanging flow therewith.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device as in claim 2 wherein: said means of subparagraph (d) comprises an electrode coupled with said third region for introducing control current therein.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
96 words
A device comprising: a. a plurality of regions, each region characterized by a plurality of particles having phase coherence, the coherent phase of each region being independent of that of other regions; b. a plurality of weak links, each interposed between two of said regions and each capable of transferring main flow transmitted between the two flanking regions said main flow including superflow distinct from normal flow; and c. means coupled with at least one of said weak links for creating a flow independent of any flow transmitted through said weak link by the adjacent regions.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
96 words
A device comprising: a. a plurality of regions, each region characterized by a plurality of particles having phase coherence, the coherent phase of each region being independent of that of other regions; b. a plurality of weak links, each interposed between two of said regions and each capable of transferring main flow transmitted between the two flanking regions said main flow including superflow distinct from normal flow; and c. means coupled with at least one of said weak links for creating a flow independent of any flow transmitted through said weak link by the adjacent regions.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
123 words
A device comprising: a. a first and a second region characterized by phase coherence within at least a portion of each of said first and second region, said regions separated from each other in at least one location by a distance of the order of the coherence distance of the separation; b. a third region interposed between said first and second regions in said area and capable of transferring flow defined as main flow transmitted from one of said first and second region to the other over said coherence distance, said main flow including superflow distinct from normal flow; and c. means, independent of the main flow transferred between said first and second regions, for establishing through said third region a control flow.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
123 words
A device comprising: a. a first and a second region characterized by phase coherence within at least a portion of each of said first and second region, said regions separated from each other in at least one location by a distance of the order of the coherence distance of the separation; b. a third region interposed between said first and second regions in said area and capable of transferring flow defined as main flow transmitted from one of said first and second region to the other over said coherence distance, said main flow including superflow distinct from normal flow; and c. means, independent of the main flow transferred between said first and second regions, for establishing through said third region a control flow.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
63 words
A superconductive device comprising: a. two superconductive regions separated from each other by a region of non-superconductive material of thickness less than the coherence distance therethrough; b. means for causing current flow from one of the superconductive regions to the other through the non-superconductive material; and c. means for causing control current flow between the non-superconductive material and one of the superconductive regions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
63 words
A superconductive device comprising: a. two superconductive regions separated from each other by a region of non-superconductive material of thickness less than the coherence distance therethrough; b. means for causing current flow from one of the superconductive regions to the other through the non-superconductive material; and c. means for causing control current flow between the non-superconductive material and one of the superconductive regions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device as in claim 6 wherein the superconductive regions include superconductors selected from the group consisting of tin, lead, indium, niobium, niobium-nitride, niobium-tin alloys, tantalum, vanadium and alloys thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device as in claim 6 wherein the non-superconductive material includes metal selected from the group consisting of gold, silver, copper, platinum, rhodium, chromium, nickel, aluminum, zinc, cadmium, bismuth and alloys thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device as in claim 6 whErein the non-superconductive material includes material selected from the group consisting of doped germanium and doped silicon.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
114 words
A three terminal superconductive device comprising: a. two superconductive regions separated from each other by a non-superconductive material of thickness less than the coherence distance between the two superconductive regions through the material; b. a first, second and third terminal connected respectively to the two superconductive regions and to said non-superconductive material; c. means for causing main current flow between said first and second terminals from one superconductive region to the other; d. means for causing control current flow between said third terminal and one of said first and second terminals; and e. means for maintaining said superconductive regions in superconductive state characterized by current flow in the form of supercurrent within said regions.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
114 words
A three terminal superconductive device comprising: a. two superconductive regions separated from each other by a non-superconductive material of thickness less than the coherence distance between the two superconductive regions through the material; b. a first, second and third terminal connected respectively to the two superconductive regions and to said non-superconductive material; c. means for causing main current flow between said first and second terminals from one superconductive region to the other; d. means for causing control current flow between said third terminal and one of said first and second terminals; and e. means for maintaining said superconductive regions in superconductive state characterized by current flow in the form of supercurrent within said regions.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device as in claim 10 including: means connected between said first and said second terminals.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device as in claim 10 including: impedance means connected between said third terminal and at least one of said first and second terminals.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
136 words
A multiterminal device comprising: a. two superconductive regions separated from each other by a non-superconductive material of thickness less than the coherence distance between the two superconductive regions through the material; b. a first terminal connected to said material; c. a second terminal connected to one of said superconductive regions; d. at least a third and a fourth terminal connected to different portions of the other superconductive region; e. means for causing main current flow between said second terminal and at least one of said third and fourth terminals; f. means for causing control current flow through a path including said first terminal and at least a portion of said non-superconductive material; and g. means for maintaining said superconductive regions in a superconductive state characterized by current flow in the form of supercurrent within said regions.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
136 words
A multiterminal device comprising: a. two superconductive regions separated from each other by a non-superconductive material of thickness less than the coherence distance between the two superconductive regions through the material; b. a first terminal connected to said material; c. a second terminal connected to one of said superconductive regions; d. at least a third and a fourth terminal connected to different portions of the other superconductive region; e. means for causing main current flow between said second terminal and at least one of said third and fourth terminals; f. means for causing control current flow through a path including said first terminal and at least a portion of said non-superconductive material; and g. means for maintaining said superconductive regions in a superconductive state characterized by current flow in the form of supercurrent within said regions.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
87 words
A superconductive device comprising: a. two superconductive wires crossing each other at an angle and separated from each other at the area of the crossing by non-superconducting material having thickness less than the coherence distance between said wires across said material; b. means for causing main current flow between said wires; c. means for causing control current flow between said material and at least one of wires; and d. means for maintaining said wires in a superconductive state in which current within each wire proceeds as supercurrent.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
87 words
A superconductive device comprising: a. two superconductive wires crossing each other at an angle and separated from each other at the area of the crossing by non-superconducting material having thickness less than the coherence distance between said wires across said material; b. means for causing main current flow between said wires; c. means for causing control current flow between said material and at least one of wires; and d. means for maintaining said wires in a superconductive state in which current within each wire proceeds as supercurrent.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
100 words
A device comprising: a. an insulating substrate; b. a first strip of superconductive film overlaying a portion of said substrate; c. a film of non-superconducting material overlaying at least a portion of said first strip of superconductive film; d. a second strip of superconductive film overlaying at least a portion of said first strip of superconductive film but separated therefrom by said material; e. means for causing main current flow between said first and second strips of superconductive film; and f. means for causing control current flow between said material and at least one of said strips of superconductive film.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
100 words
A device comprising: a. an insulating substrate; b. a first strip of superconductive film overlaying a portion of said substrate; c. a film of non-superconducting material overlaying at least a portion of said first strip of superconductive film; d. a second strip of superconductive film overlaying at least a portion of said first strip of superconductive film but separated therefrom by said material; e. means for causing main current flow between said first and second strips of superconductive film; and f. means for causing control current flow between said material and at least one of said strips of superconductive film.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
79 words
A device comprising: a. a plate of superconductive material; b. a superimposed layer of insulating material having an aperture exposing the superconductive plate; c. a region of non-superconducting material filling said aperture at least partially and contacting said plate; and d. a superconductive rod contacting said non-superconducting material and separated from the superconductive plate by said non-superconducting material and spaced from said superconductive plate by less than the coherence distance through the space separating it from the superconductive plate.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
79 words
A device comprising: a. a plate of superconductive material; b. a superimposed layer of insulating material having an aperture exposing the superconductive plate; c. a region of non-superconducting material filling said aperture at least partially and contacting said plate; and d. a superconductive rod contacting said non-superconducting material and separated from the superconductive plate by said non-superconducting material and spaced from said superconductive plate by less than the coherence distance through the space separating it from the superconductive plate.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
47 words
A superfluid device comprisinG: a. a first and a second body of superfluid vented to each other through a weak link; b. means for causing flow between said first and second bodies through the weak link; and c. means for applying control flow to said weak link.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
47 words
A superfluid device comprisinG: a. a first and a second body of superfluid vented to each other through a weak link; b. means for causing flow between said first and second bodies through the weak link; and c. means for applying control flow to said weak link.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
63 words
Method of modulating flow between two regions in a superflow state across an interposed weak link capable of transferring superflow which is distinct from normal flow and of conducting control flow, comprising the steps of: a. causing net flow between the two regions; and b. causing net control flow between a portion of the weak link and at least one of the regions.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
63 words
Method of modulating flow between two regions in a superflow state across an interposed weak link capable of transferring superflow which is distinct from normal flow and of conducting control flow, comprising the steps of: a. causing net flow between the two regions; and b. causing net control flow between a portion of the weak link and at least one of the regions.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
61 words
Method of varying the critical current between two regions in a superconducting state separated by a region in a non-superconducting state comprising the steps of: a. setting up a supercurrent between the two superconducting regions across the non-superconducting region; and b. introducing a control current into the non-superconducting region which current is returned through at least one of the superconducting regions.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
61 words
Method of varying the critical current between two regions in a superconducting state separated by a region in a non-superconducting state comprising the steps of: a. setting up a supercurrent between the two superconducting regions across the non-superconducting region; and b. introducing a control current into the non-superconducting region which current is returned through at least one of the superconducting regions.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
70 words
Method of modulating superflow which is distinct from normal flow, said superflow proceeding across a region which impedes superflow comprising the steps of: a. interposing the superflow impeding region between two regions in a superflow state separated by a distance of the order of the coherence distance within said superflow-impeding region; b. setting up a superflow across the superflow-impeding region; and c. introducing a control flow into said superflow-impeding region.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
70 words
Method of modulating superflow which is distinct from normal flow, said superflow proceeding across a region which impedes superflow comprising the steps of: a. interposing the superflow impeding region between two regions in a superflow state separated by a distance of the order of the coherence distance within said superflow-impeding region; b. setting up a superflow across the superflow-impeding region; and c. introducing a control flow into said superflow-impeding region.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
119 words
A superflow device comprising: a. a first region capable of emitting net flow at least part of which is superflow; b. a second region capable of receiving net flow at least part of which is superflow; c. a third region interposed at least partially between said first and second regions and capable of accepting flow emitted from said first region and of transferring at least a part of said flow to said second region; and d. means coupled with said third region for introducing therein a control flow which is distinct from the superflow between the first and second regions and which proceeds through the third region and through at least one of said first region and second region.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
119 words
A superflow device comprising: a. a first region capable of emitting net flow at least part of which is superflow; b. a second region capable of receiving net flow at least part of which is superflow; c. a third region interposed at least partially between said first and second regions and capable of accepting flow emitted from said first region and of transferring at least a part of said flow to said second region; and d. means coupled with said third region for introducing therein a control flow which is distinct from the superflow between the first and second regions and which proceeds through the third region and through at least one of said first region and second region.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
119 words
A superconductive device comprising: a. a first region capable of emitting net current and characterized by internal flow of supercurrent; b. a second region capable of receiving net current and characterized by internal flow of supercurrent; c. a third region interposed at least partially between said first and second regions and capable of accepting net current emitted from said first region and of transferring at least a part of said current to said second region; and d. means coupled with said third region for exchanging therewith flow which is distinct from said net current emitted from the first region and which flow proceeds through the third region and through at least one of said first region and second region.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
119 words
A superconductive device comprising: a. a first region capable of emitting net current and characterized by internal flow of supercurrent; b. a second region capable of receiving net current and characterized by internal flow of supercurrent; c. a third region interposed at least partially between said first and second regions and capable of accepting net current emitted from said first region and of transferring at least a part of said current to said second region; and d. means coupled with said third region for exchanging therewith flow which is distinct from said net current emitted from the first region and which flow proceeds through the third region and through at least one of said first region and second region.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
119 words
A device comprising: a. a first and a second region characterized by phase coherence within at least a portion of the region, said regions separated from each other in at least one location by a distance which is of the order of the coherence distance of the separation; b. a third region interposed between said first and second regions in said area and capable of transferring flow defined as main flow transmitted from one of said first and second region to the other; and c. means, independent of the main flow transferred between said first and second regions, for establishing a control flow proceeding through said third region and at least one of said first region and second region.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
119 words
A device comprising: a. a first and a second region characterized by phase coherence within at least a portion of the region, said regions separated from each other in at least one location by a distance which is of the order of the coherence distance of the separation; b. a third region interposed between said first and second regions in said area and capable of transferring flow defined as main flow transmitted from one of said first and second region to the other; and c. means, independent of the main flow transferred between said first and second regions, for establishing a control flow proceeding through said third region and at least one of said first region and second region.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3204115A
Cited
US3522492A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-09-05 | 1976-03-06 | 1976-09-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-05 | 1980-03-06 | 1980-09-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-05 | 1984-03-06 | 1984-09-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |