Patent US4901429A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4901429A
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Method and apparatus for making a superconducting joint
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1988-02-17
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Granted: 1990-02-20
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Expires: 2008-02-17
Abstract
Abstract A method of forming a superconductive joint between superconductors made of filaments of superconducting material embedded in a matrix material utilizes two baths of molten metals. One of the baths of molten metal is used for etching the matrix material away from the superconducting filaments and is vibrated at an ultrasonic frequency. The other bath is also vibrated at an ultrasonic frequency and is used to mold the etched superconductors into a superconducting joint. Superconducting joints may thereby be made under ordinary atmospheric conditions between superconducting wires having similar and/or different matrix materials.
Inventors
- 👤 Vishnu C. Srivastava
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 06:20
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R43/00; H01R43/02; H01R43/0207; H01R4/00; H01R4/58; H01R4/68; H10; H10N; H10N60/00; H10N60/80; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49002; Y10T29/49014; Y10T29/49117; Y10T29/49194
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of making a joint between superconductors made of filaments of superconducting material embedded in a matrix material including the steps of: stripping the matrix material away from ends of the superconductors to be joined; providing a heated soldering bath of molten metal, said metal being a superconducting material; vibrating the soldering bath at an ultrasonic frequency; submerging the stripped ends to be joined of the superconductors into the vibrating soldering bath; filling a mold with the superconductive material of the soldering bath in a molten state; placing the ends of the superconductors to be joined into the molten superconductive material in the mold; and cooling the superconductive material in the mold to encase the ends of the superconductors in the solidified superconducting material of the soldering bath.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of making a joint between superconductors made of filaments of superconducting material embedded in a matrix material including the steps of: stripping the matrix material away from ends of the superconductors to be joined; providing a heated soldering bath of molten metal, said metal being a superconducting material; vibrating the soldering bath at an ultrasonic frequency; submerging the stripped ends to be joined of the superconductors into the vibrating soldering bath; filling a mold with the superconductive material of the soldering bath in a molten state; placing the ends of the superconductors to be joined into the molten superconductive material in the mold; and cooling the superconductive material in the mold to encase the ends of the superconductors in the solidified superconducting material of the soldering bath.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein the matrix materials of the superconductors to be joined differ.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein the method is performed under atmospheric conditions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein the bath is vibrated by an ultrasonic horn at least partially submerged in the bath.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as in claim 4, wherein the horn is positioned approximately in the center of the bath.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as in claim 4, wherein the end of the superconductor is dipped in the bath adjacent to the horn.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
77 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein the step of stripping the matrix material away from ends of the superconductors to be joined comprises: providing an etching bath of molten metal for stripping the matrix material away from the ends of the superconductors to be joined; vibrating the etching bath at an ultrasonic frequency; and holding the ends of the superconductors to be joined in the etching bath until the matrix material is stripped from the filaments.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as in claim 7, wherein the soldering and etching baths are two different baths and are of different metals.
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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) | 1993-02-19 | 1993-08-21 | 1994-02-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-02-19 | 1997-08-21 | 1998-02-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-02-19 | 2001-08-21 | 2002-02-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |