Persistent current switch for high energy superconductive solenoids

Abstract

Abstract Electrical switches used in conjunction with high energy superconductive windings must be able to quickly absorb large amounts of electrical energy since switching of the superconducting current is accomplished by means of transition to the resistive state in the switch portion of the superconducting current loop. Furthermore, to minimize the heat generated during the transition to the resistive state, the switch itself should exhibit a relatively high resistance while at the same time exhibiting a low external magnetic field. The switch should also exhibit minimal stray magnetic fields, especially in those applications requiring field uniformity. These objectives are achieved in a persistent current switch which includes a length of superconductive material disposed in a compact, thermally insulated volume which also includes a mechanism for heating at least a portion of the superconductive conductor in the switch in order to return it to its resistive state. Furthermore, there is included a mass of thermally conductive material within the volume which is in thermal contact with at least a substantial portion of the superconductive conductor to mitigate the effects of hot spots occuring within the switch.

Inventors

• 👤 Evangelos T. Laskaris
• 👤 Donald W. Jones

Bibliographic Details