US5777420A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Superconducting synchronous motor construction
Assignee: American Superconductor Corp
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Filing: 1996-07-16
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Granted: 1998-07-07
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Expires: 2016-07-16
Abstract
Abstract A rotor assembly for use within a superconducting electric motor includes a superconducting winding formed of high temperature superconductor and during operation, generates a flux path within the rotor assembly; and a high permeability magnetic material, positioned within at least a portion of the flux path so as to decrease the overall reluctance of the flux path. The rotor assembly may include a support member having an internal volume and formed of a non-magnetic, high-strength resilient material. The support member supports on its outer surface the superconducting winding and within its internal volume, the high permeability magnetic material. The magnetic material may be in the form of a core member to provide the low reluctance portion to the flux path generated by the superconducting winding.
Inventors
- 👤 Bruce B. Gamble
- 👤 Gregory L. Snitchler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 16:50
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02K; H02K55/00; H02K55/02; H02K55/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
A rotor assembly for use within a superconducting electric motor comprising: at least one superconducting winding formed of high temperature superconductor, the superconducting winding, during operation, generating a flux path within the rotor assembly; a support member having an inner surface which defines an internal volume and an outer surface, the support member formed of a non-magnetic, high-strength resilient material, said outer surface having a discontinuous cross-sectional profile for supporting the superconducting winding; and a high permeability magnetic material, positioned within the internal volume of the support member and at least a portion of the flux path so as to decrease the overall reluctance of the flux path generated by the superconducting winding.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
113 words
A rotor assembly for use within a superconducting electric motor comprising: at least one superconducting winding formed of high temperature superconductor, the superconducting winding, during operation, generating a flux path within the rotor assembly; a support member having an inner surface which defines an internal volume and an outer surface, the support member formed of a non-magnetic, high-strength resilient material, said outer surface having a discontinuous cross-sectional profile for supporting the superconducting winding; and a high permeability magnetic material, positioned within the internal volume of the support member and at least a portion of the flux path so as to decrease the overall reluctance of the flux path generated by the superconducting winding.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The rotor assembly of claim 1 wherein the high permeability magnetic material substantially fills the internal volume of the support member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The rotor assembly of claim 1 wherein the support member is formed as a cylindrical tube and the high permeability magnetic material forms a cylindrically shaped core.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The rotor assembly of claim 1 wherein the magnetic material is cryogenically cooled.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The rotor assembly of claim 1 wherein the magnetic material is thermally isolated from the superconducting winding.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The rotor assembly of claim 5 wherein the support member is spaced from the magnetic material by a vacuum gap.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The rotor assembly of claim 1 wherein the support member includes an outer surface which in cross section has a stepped profile.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The rotor assembly of claim 3 wherein the core is formed as a plurality of laminations, each lamination lying in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical tube.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The rotor assembly of claim 3 wherein the core material is formed as a continuous member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The rotor assembly of claim 1 wherein the magnetic material is iron.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The rotor assembly of claim 1 wherein the superconducting winding is formed of high temperature superconductor (HTS).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The rotor assembly of claim 1 wherein the superconducting winding is a racetrack shaped winding.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The rotor assembly of claim 1 further comprising an outer electromagnetic shield member surrounding the superconducting winding and support member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The rotor assembly of claim 1 wherein the support member is formed of stainless steel.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The rotor assembly of claim 1 wherein the superconducting electric motor is a synchronizing motor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
96 words
A rotor assembly for a superconducting electric motor comprising: a support member having an inner surface which defines an internal volume and an outer surface, the support member formed of a non-magnetic, high-strength resilient material, said outer surface haaving a discontinous cross-sectional profile for supporting a superconducting winding which, in operation, generates a flux path within the rotor assembly; and a core member disposed within the internal volume of the support member and formed of a high permeability magnetic material, the core member decreasing the overall reluctance of the flux path generated by the superconducting winding.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
96 words
A rotor assembly for a superconducting electric motor comprising: a support member having an inner surface which defines an internal volume and an outer surface, the support member formed of a non-magnetic, high-strength resilient material, said outer surface haaving a discontinous cross-sectional profile for supporting a superconducting winding which, in operation, generates a flux path within the rotor assembly; and a core member disposed within the internal volume of the support member and formed of a high permeability magnetic material, the core member decreasing the overall reluctance of the flux path generated by the superconducting winding.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The rotor assembly of claim 11 wherein the high temperature superconductor is a superconducting ceramic oxide.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The rotor assembly of claim 17 wherein the superconducting ceramic oxide is of the copper oxide family.
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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) | 2001-07-06 | 2002-01-05 | 2002-07-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-07-06 | 2006-01-05 | 2006-07-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-07-06 | 2010-01-05 | 2010-07-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |