US5160911A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Toroidal constant-tension superconducting magnetic energy storage units
Assignee: United States Department of Energy
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Filing: 1990-10-26
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Granted: 1992-11-03
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Expires: 2010-10-26
Abstract
Abstract A superconducting magnetic energy storage unit is provided in which the magnet is wound in a toroidal fashion such that the magnetic field produced is contained only within the bore of the magnet, and thus producing a very low external field. The superconducting magnet includes a coolant channel disposed through the wire. The bore of the magnet comprises a storage volume in which cryogenic coolant is stored, and this volume supplies the coolant to be delivered to the coolant channel in the magnet.
Inventors
- 👤 J. Stephen Herring
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 06:53
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01F; H01F6/00; H02; H02J; H02J15/00; H02J15/30; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E40/00; Y02E40/60; Y10; Y10S; Y10S505/00; Y10S505/825; Y10S505/879
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
A superconducting magnetic energy storage unit comprising: a) a plurality of constant tension superconducting magnets toroidally wound, the magnets including substantially D-shaped coils having a straight back section and an inner bore, and connected together to form a substantially cylindrical unit, the magnets each including: superconducting wire surrounded by a support structure; and electrical insulation surrounding the wire and support structure; b) a bucking column connected to the straight back section of the coils such that it is surrounded by the magnets for bearing the center force along the straight back section of the coils, and wherein energy is stored in a magnetic field by applying a current to the magnet, and further in which energy is withdrawn from the magnet by reducing the current, the magnetic field being contained only within the bore of the magnet with virtually no external magnetic field.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
143 words
A superconducting magnetic energy storage unit comprising: a) a plurality of constant tension superconducting magnets toroidally wound, the magnets including substantially D-shaped coils having a straight back section and an inner bore, and connected together to form a substantially cylindrical unit, the magnets each including: superconducting wire surrounded by a support structure; and electrical insulation surrounding the wire and support structure; b) a bucking column connected to the straight back section of the coils such that it is surrounded by the magnets for bearing the center force along the straight back section of the coils, and wherein energy is stored in a magnetic field by applying a current to the magnet, and further in which energy is withdrawn from the magnet by reducing the current, the magnetic field being contained only within the bore of the magnet with virtually no external magnetic field.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The superconducting magnetic energy storage unit of claim 1 wherein the superconducting magnets are suspended in a metal shell containing thermal insulation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The superconducting magnetic energy storage unit of claim 2 wherein the superconducting wire includes a channel containing cryogenic coolant.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The superconducting magnetic energy storage unit of claim 3 wherein the inner bore of the D-shaped coils of the magnet provides a volume for storing cryogenic coolant to be supplied to the channel in the superconducting wire.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
131 words
In an automotive vehicle having a battery producing an electrical output, a superconducting magnetic energy storage unit for augmenting the electrical output of the battery comprising: a plurality of superconducting magnetic constant tension D-shaped coils having a straight back section and an inner bore, wound toroidally, and connected together to form a substantially cylindrical unit; a bucking column connected to the straight back section of the coils such that it is surrounded by the coils and bears the center force along the straight back section of the coils, and in which energy is stored in a magnetic field by applying a current to the magnet, and further in which energy is withdrawn from the magnet by reducing the current, the magnetic field being contained only within the bore of the magnet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
131 words
In an automotive vehicle having a battery producing an electrical output, a superconducting magnetic energy storage unit for augmenting the electrical output of the battery comprising: a plurality of superconducting magnetic constant tension D-shaped coils having a straight back section and an inner bore, wound toroidally, and connected together to form a substantially cylindrical unit; a bucking column connected to the straight back section of the coils such that it is surrounded by the coils and bears the center force along the straight back section of the coils, and in which energy is stored in a magnetic field by applying a current to the magnet, and further in which energy is withdrawn from the magnet by reducing the current, the magnetic field being contained only within the bore of the magnet.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
The superconducting magnetic energy storage unit of claim 5 wherein the superconducting coil includes a cryogenic coolant channel, and the inner bore of the magnet includes a volume for storing cryogenic fluid to be supplied to the coolant channel, whereby the superconducting magnetic energy storage unit is cooled by the cryogenic coolant.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The superconducting magnetic energy storage unit of claim 6 wherein the unit is capable of storing energy sufficient to accelerate the vehicle to about seventy milers per hour.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The superconducting magnetic energy storage unit of claim 7 wherein the unit is capable of being recharged during regenerative braking of the vehicle, thereby recovering energy needed for subsequent acceleration.
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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) | 1995-11-03 | 1996-05-04 | 1996-11-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-11-03 | 2000-05-04 | 2000-11-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-11-03 | 2004-05-04 | 2004-11-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |