American Superconductor Corporation Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20130261000 | WIDE ELECTRICAL CONDUCTOR HAVING HIGH C-AXIS STRENGTH - A rotating machine includes a stator and a rotor configured to rotate within the stator. Rotor windings are supported in the rotor and are formed of a laminated electrical conductor in a single-layer saddle coil configuration. The conductor includes a first support lamina, a second support lamina, an insert including a high temperature superconductor disposed between the first and second support lamina, and a filler material surrounding the insert that bonds the insert to each of the first and second support lamina. At the location between the first support lamina and second support lamina corresponding to the location of the insert, the width dimension of the filler material on each side of the insert is at least 10 percent of a width of the conductor. The conductor is configured to carry at least 600 Amperes per turn and have a C-axis tensile strength of at least 21 MPa. | 10-03-2013 |
20130255991 | REDUCED-LOSS BUCKING BUNDLE LOW VOLTAGE CABLE - A cable includes a plurality of bundles of insulated electrical conductors, each bundle having a first conductor, a second conductor, and a third conductor in a layered configuration. The first conductor of each bundle is connected in parallel to the first conductor of the remaining bundles, the second conductor of each bundle is connected in parallel to the second conductor of the remaining bundles, and the third conductor of each bundle is connected in parallel to the third electrical conductor of the remaining bundles. In addition, within each bundle, the first, second and third electrical conductors are configured so that a magnetic field generated in response to currents flowing within the bundle is zero as seen at a plane oriented transverse to an electrical conduction direction of the cable and located between the ends of the cable. | 10-03-2013 |
20130065766 | ELECTRICITY TRANSMISSION COOLING SYSTEM - A cooling system includes a first section of high temperature superconducting (HTS) cable configured to receive a first flow of coolant and to permit the first flow of coolant to flow therethrough. The system may further include a second section of high temperature superconducting (HTS) cable configured to receive a second flow of coolant and to permit the second flow of coolant to flow therethrough. The system may further include a cable joint configured to couple the first section of HTS cable and the second section of HTS cable. The cable joint may be in fluid communication with at least one refrigeration module and may include at least one conduit configured to permit a third flow of coolant between said cable joint and said at least one refrigeration module through a coolant line separate from said first and second sections of HTS cable. | 03-14-2013 |
20120245035 | MITIGATING THE EFFECTS OF DEFECTS IN HIGH TEMPERATURE SUPERCONDUCTOR WIRES - A method includes locating a defect in a first segment of high temperature superconducting wire. A second segment of high temperature superconducting wire is then positioned onto the first segment of high temperature superconducting wire such that the second segment of high temperature superconducting wire overlaps the defect. A path is then created such that current flows through the second segment of high temperature superconducting wire. The first segment of high temperature superconducting wire and second segment of high temperature superconducting wire are then laminated together. | 09-27-2012 |
20120169301 | THYRISTOR GATE PULSES IN STATIC VAR COMPENSATOR - A method of controlling a static VAR compensator includes providing a static VAR compensator having a capacitive component and a thyristor for switching the capacitive component into and out of a power distribution network; monitoring an electrical characteristic associated with the capacitive component; and controlling operation of the thyristor at least in part on the basis of the electrical characteristic associated with the capacitive component. | 07-05-2012 |
20120120537 | CURRENT FAULT LIMITER WITH LIVE TANK - An apparatus for limiting fault current in a power distribution system. Such an apparatus includes a tank for containing a cryogenic fluid; and a winding supported in the tank, the winding being electrically connected to the tank. The winding and the tank are at the same electrical potential. | 05-17-2012 |
20120033468 | POWER CONVERSION SYSTEMS - In a general aspect, a power conversion system includes a power converter, a transformer, and a voltage adjustment device. The power converter is configured to receive a variable DC power generated by a power generation device and to convert the received DC power to AC power at a first voltage. The transformer is configured to receive the AC power from the power converter and to deliver AC power at a second voltage to a utility power network. The voltage adjustment device is configured to adjust the first voltage to a target value determined on the basis of a voltage of the DC power. | 02-09-2012 |
20120029723 | CENTRALIZED POWER CONDITIONING - A power plant for providing electric power to a power grid includes energy sources; power conditioning units and a controller configured to cause power provided to the grid to have selected electrical characteristics. The controller is in high speed real-time communication with the power conditioning units and programmed to provide instructions to the power conditioning units. | 02-02-2012 |
20120010084 | LOW RESISTANCE SPLICE FOR HIGH TEMPERATURE SUPERCONDUCTOR WIRES - Under one aspect, a laminated, spliced superconductor wire includes a superconductor joint, which includes (i) first and second superconductor wires, each wire including a substrate, a superconductor layer overlying the substrate, and a cap layer overlying the superconductor layer; and (ii) a conductive bridge, the conductive bridge including a substrate, a superconductor layer overlying the substrate, and a cap layer overlying the superconductor layer, wherein the cap layer of the conductive bridge is in electrically conductive contact with a portion of the cap layer of each of the first and second superconductor wires through an electrically conductive bonding material. The spliced wire also includes (b) a stabilizer structure surrounding at least a portion of the superconductor joint, wherein the superconductor joint is in electrical contact with the stabilizer structure; and (c) a substantially nonporous electrically conductive filler, wherein the filler substantially surrounds the superconductor joint. | 01-12-2012 |
20110267854 | POWER CONVERTER WITH DUAL RING NETWORK CONTROL - A method for providing electric power to a power system includes receiving, at a slave node of a power converter having a plurality of slave nodes, a first synchronization signal via a first communication channel, the first synchronization signal purporting to represent a master timing characteristic of a master control node of the converter; receiving, at the slave node of the converter, a second synchronization signal via a second communication channel, the second synchronization signal purporting to represent a master timing characteristic of the master control node of the converter; synchronizing an internal timing characteristic of the slave control node with the master timing characteristic of the master control node using the first synchronization signal; determining that the first synchronization signal is invalid; and synchronizing an internal timing characteristic of the slave control node with the master timing characteristic of the master control node using the second synchronization signal. | 11-03-2011 |
20110248509 | GENERATOR WITH FERROMAGNETIC TEETH - A stator assembly for use in a superconducting generator operated at frequencies up to 10 Hz is disclosed. The stator assembly includes a ferromagnetic stator winding support having a plurality of teeth defining slots, the slots configured to receive and support stator windings. The stator winding support is formed so that the ratio of the sum of the widths of the slots to the sum of the widths of the teeth and slots is in the range of 0.65 to 0.90. | 10-13-2011 |
20110245083 | THICK OXIDE FILM BY SINGLE COATING - An article including a substrate and a layer of a homogeneous metal-oxyfluoride intermediate film disposed on the substrate, the intermediate film containing a rare earth metal, an alkaline earth metal, and a transition metal. The intermediate film has a defect density less than 20 percent and, upon thermal treatment, is capable of converting to a homogeneous rare earth metal-alkaline earth metal-transition metal-oxide superconductor film with a stoichiometric thickness greater than 1 μm and up to 5 μm. Also disclosed is another article including a substrate and the homogeneous superconductor film with a stoichiometric thickness greater than 1 μm and up to 5 μm. Further, methods of making these two articles are described. | 10-06-2011 |
20110241757 | THYRISTOR GATE PULSES IN STATIC VAR COMPENSATOR - A method of controlling a static VAR compensator includes providing a static VAR compensator having a reactive component and a thyristor for switching the reactive component into and out of a power distribution network; monitoring a periodic waveform on the power distribution network and controlling operation of the thyristor on the basis of the harmonic frequency content of the waveform. | 10-06-2011 |
20110177954 | SUPERCONDUCTING ELECTRICITY TRANSMISSION SYSTEM - The present disclosure generally relates to a superconducting power grid having one or more AC/DC converters. The superconducting grid may further include one or more pairs of superconducting DC cables connecting each AC/DC converter. Each pair of superconducting DC cables may include a first positive polarity cable and a first negative polarity cable. The grid may also include at least one switching device configured to operatively connect at least one of the first and second AC/DC converters with at least one of the pairs of superconducting DC cables, the switching device further configured to adjust the polarity of at least one of the polarity cables. Other embodiments and implementations are also within the scope of the present disclosure. | 07-21-2011 |
20110134609 | POWER ELECTRONIC ASSEMBLY WITH SLOTTED HEATSINK - A power electronic assembly includes a pair of thermally and electrically conductive plates, and semiconductor switching elements positioned between contact surfaces of the pair of conductive plates. A first of the semiconductor switching elements is positioned at a first region of the conductive plates, and a second of the semiconductor switching elements positioned at a second region of the conductive plates. At least one of the conductive plates includes an aperture positioned between the first region and the second region of the conductive plates, such that in a compressed state, a contact surface of the conductive plate associated with the first region is substantially parallel to and offset from that of the second region in a direction parallel to the direction of compression. | 06-09-2011 |
20110133470 | TORQUE LIMITING COUPLING FOR WIND TURBINE - A direct-drive power train of a wind power plant is disclosed. The power train includes a turbine rotor including a hub and blades supported on the hub, and a generator including a stator and a generator rotor rotatably disposed within the stator. The generator rotor includes a generator rotor body, a rotor shaft, and a torque limiting device connecting the generator rotor body to the rotor shaft. The torque limiting device is configured to support the generator rotor body within the stator and allow coaxial rotation of the rotor body relative to the stator. The hub and the generator rotor are connected by the rotor shaft, and the rotor shaft rotates at the same frequency as the hub. | 06-09-2011 |
20110132631 | FAULT CURRENT LIMITING HTS CABLE AND METHOD OF CONFIGURING SAME - A cryogenically-cooled HTS cable is configured to be included within a utility power grid having a maximum fault current that would occur in the absence of the cryogenically-cooled HTS cable. The cryogenically-cooled HTS cable includes a continuous liquid cryogen coolant path for circulating a liquid cryogen. A continuously flexible arrangement of HTS wires has an impedance characteristic that attenuates the maximum fault current by at least 10%. The continuously flexible arrangement of HTS wires is configured to allow the cryogenically-cooled HTS cable to operate, during the occurrence of a maximum fault condition, with a maximum temperature rise within the HTS wires that is low enough to prevent the formation of gas bubbles within the liquid cryogen. | 06-09-2011 |
20110075453 | DYNAMIC CONVERSION OF VARIABLE VOLTAGE DC TO AC - An apparatus for power conversion includes an inverter; a converter configurable to function as a DC voltage booster; and a controller for selectively causing the converter to provide a boosted DC voltage to the inverter. | 03-31-2011 |
20110045986 | MESH-TYPE STABILIZER FOR FILAMENTARY COATED SUPERCONDUCTORS - A superconductor for mitigating the effects of local current disruptions in a superconducting filament. The superconductor comprises superconducting filaments covered by a medium in electrical communication with the filaments. The covering medium has anisotropic conductivity, the conductivity in a direction substantially aligned with the filaments being selected to stabilize the superconductor near the critical temperature, and the conductivity of the covering in a direction substantially perpendicular to the filaments being selected to permit controlled current sharing between the filaments, especially when a filament is compromised, while simultaneously limiting alternating current (ac) losses. In various embodiments, the covering comprises a wire mesh having longitudinal wires made of a first material having a first conductivity, and transverse wires made of a second material having a second conductivity, different from the first conductivity. | 02-24-2011 |
20100277136 | GENERATOR WITH FERROMAGNETIC TEETH - A stator assembly for use in a superconducting generator operated at frequencies up to 10 Hz is disclosed. The stator assembly includes a ferromagnetic stator winding support having a plurality of teeth defining slots, the slots configured to receive and support stator windings. The stator winding support is formed so that the ratio of the sum of the widths of the slots to the sum of the widths of the teeth and slots is in the range of 0.65 to 0.90. | 11-04-2010 |
20100277002 | POWER CONVERSION SYSTEMS - In a general aspect, a power conversion system includes a power converter, a transformer, and a voltage adjustment device. The power converter is configured to receive a variable DC power generated by a power generation device and to convert the received DC power to AC power at a first voltage. The transformer is configured to receive the AC power from the power converter and to deliver AC power at a second voltage to a utility power network. The voltage adjustment device is configured to adjust the first voltage to a target value determined on the basis of a voltage of the DC power. | 11-04-2010 |
20100275966 | REDUCING PHOTOVOLTAIC ARRAY VOLTAGE DURING INVERTER RE-ENABLEMENT - An apparatus for harvesting solar power includes a photovoltaic array for generating a DC voltage; a discharge circuit for causing the DC voltage to decay from a first value to a second value; and an inverter circuit for transforming an output voltage from the discharge circuit into an AC voltage. | 11-04-2010 |
20100265816 | MONITORING SWITCHING NETWORKS - A system and method are described for detecting failures of switches in a switching network including a plurality of switches. The sensing circuit includes a plurality of detecting networks, the plurality of detecting networks being fewer than the plurality of switches, each detecting network providing signals indicative of a failure of at least one of the switches. | 10-21-2010 |
20100216646 | METHOD OF PATTERNING OXIDE SUPERCONDUCTING FILMS - A process for preparing a superconductor article includes depositing a precursor solution onto a substrate to form a precursor film, the precursor solution comprising precursor components to a rare earth-alkaline earth metal-transition metal oxide in one or more solvents, decomposing the precursor film to form an intermediate film comprising the rare earth metal, the alkaline earth metal, and the transition metal of the first precursor solution, selectively removing portions of the intermediate film, wherein a patterned intermediate film is obtained, and treating the patterned intermediate film to form a rare earth-alkaline earth metal-transition metal oxide superconductor. | 08-26-2010 |
20100133943 | TORQUE SUPPORT MEMBER FOR ROTATING ELECTRICAL MACHINE - A support module is provided for use in a rotor assembly of a rotating machine. The support module is disposed on the rotor body, supports high temperature superconductor rotor windings within the rotor assembly, and thermally decouples the cold portions of the rotor assembly, including windings and support tube, from the ambient temperature rotor body and drive shaft. The support module includes a frame disposed on the rotor body, a support block connected to the rotor winding and suspended within the frame, and thermally non-conductive straps extending from each of a pair of opposed sides of the support block to the frame, the straps suspending the support block within the frame. | 06-03-2010 |
20100048406 | OXIDE FILMS WITH NANODOT FLUX PINNING CENTERS - A method for producing a thin film includes disposing a precursor solution onto a substrate to form a precursor film. The precursor solution contains precursor components to a rare-earth/alkaline-earth-metal/transition-metal oxide including a salt of a rare earth element, a salt of an alkaline earth metal, and a salt of a transition metal in one or more solvents, wherein at least one of the salts is a fluoride-containing salt. The precursor solution also contains an additive component comprising one or more metal compounds capable of forming a second phase nanoparticle, either alone or in combination with one or more of the precursor components of the precursor solution or a dopant component comprising one or more metal compounds capable of substituting for an element of the rare-earth/alkaline-earth-metal/transition-metal oxide, and treating the precursor film to form an intermediate metal oxyfluoride including the rare earth, the alkaline earth metal, the transition metal and the additive metal or dopant metal of the precursor solution. | 02-25-2010 |
20100022396 | Two-Sided Splice for High Temperature Superconductor Laminated Wires - A two-sided joint for splicing two laminated wires together, while preserving the mechanical integrity of the wire is disclosed. The two-sided joint can splice two laminated HTS wires having tapered ends and includes a bottom strap and a top strap. Under one aspect, a laminated, spliced superconductor wire includes a superconductor joint, which includes first and second superconductor wires, each wire including a laminate layer, a substrate layer overlaying the laminate layer, a buffer layer overlaying the substrate layer, a superconductor layer overlaying the buffer layer, a gap layer overlaying the superconductor layer, and a laminate layer overlaying the gap layer, a first HTS strap in electrical connection with the second laminate layer of the first laminate wire and the second laminate layer of the second laminate wire, and a backing strap proximate to the first laminate layer. | 01-28-2010 |
20100002475 | LOW VOLTAGE RIDE THROUGH - A system for connecting a wind turbine generator to a utility power network includes a first power converter that converts an AC signal from the wind turbine generator to a DC signal and supplies a controlled amount of reactive current to the wind turbine generator. The system also includes a second power converter, connected in series with the first converter, which converts the DC signal from the first power converter to a line-side AC signal and supplies a controlled amount of current to the utility power network. A power dissipation element is coupled to the first and second power converters for dissipating power from the first power converter. | 01-07-2010 |
20100001698 | Static VAR Corrector - A system for providing reactive power compensation to a utility power network includes a switch coupled to the utility power network, and a capacitor coupled with the switch for providing a controlled amount of reactive current based on conditions of the utility power network. The system also includes a switchable power dissipation device coupled in series to the capacitor and configured to provide a preselected amount of impedance to the reactive current for a predetermined duration when a line voltage on the utility power network drops below a threshold. | 01-07-2010 |
20090298696 | Low resistance splice for high temperature superconductor wires - Under one aspect, a laminated, spliced superconductor wire includes a superconductor joint, which includes (i) first and second superconductor wires, each wire including a substrate, a superconductor layer overlying the substrate, and a cap layer overlying the superconductor layer; and (ii) a conductive bridge, the conductive bridge including a substrate, a superconductor layer overlying the substrate, and a cap layer overlying the superconductor layer, wherein the cap layer of the conductive bridge is in electrically conductive contact with a portion of the cap layer of each of the first and second superconductor wires through an electrically conductive bonding material. The spliced wire also includes (b) a stabilizer structure surrounding at least a portion of the superconductor joint, wherein the superconductor joint is in electrical contact with the stabilizer structure; and (c) a substantially nonporous electrically conductive filler, wherein the filler substantially surrounds the superconductor joint. | 12-03-2009 |
20090247412 | SUPERCONDUCTING CABLE ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLY - An HTS cable assembly is provided which includes a cryostat or housing, an HTS wire bundle disposed longitudinally within the cryostat, and plural support members disposed between the HTS wire bundle and the cryostat. The support members are elongate, tubular members having resiliency in both the axial and radial directions. The support members are disposed between the HTS wire bundle and the inner surface of the cryostat in an arrangement that maintains and supports the HTS wire bundle in a spaced-apart relationship with respect to the inner surface of the cryostat. In addition, the plural support members are configured to substantially prevent relative movement between the HTS wire bundle and the cryostat. | 10-01-2009 |
20090247411 | INTERFACE DEVICE FOR A HIGH TEMPERATURE SUPERCONDUCTOR DEGAUSSING SYSTEM JUNCTION BOX - A junction box is provided which allows serial connection of the individual conductors of at least one high temperature superconductor (HTS) wire bundle. The junction box includes an electrical interface device disposed within a junction box housing. The interface device is configured receive both ends of each conductor of each HTS wire bundle, and to provide a superconductive electrical connection between respective first ends of conductors to respective second ends of other wire bundle conductors to form at least one superconductive multi-turn electromagnetic winding. | 10-01-2009 |
20090244937 | DC BUS VOLTAGE HARMONICS REDUCTION - In one aspect, in general, the invention features a control system configured for use with a three-phase PWM converter. The control system receives an input signal from a three-phase power supply and provides an output signal at a DC link. A voltage-separating module generates on the basis of the input signal a positive sequence voltage component and a negative sequence voltage component in a rotating reference frame. A reference current computation module uses at least the positive sequence voltage component and the negative sequence voltage component to compute a first reference current and a second reference current. A current regulating module uses at least the first reference current and the second reference current to generate a command signal. The command signal is provided to a driving circuit of the three-phase PWM converter for generating a regulated DC bus voltage at the DC link. | 10-01-2009 |
20080274371 | COMPOSITE SUBSTRATES FOR HIGH TEMPERATURE SUPERCONDUCTORS HAVING IMPROVED PROPERTIES - A composite substrate for superconductors and methods for making the same are described. The composite substrate of the present invention includes at least a core layer having and a sheath layer having a cube texture on at least a portion its surface. In certain embodiments, the core layer can include a nickel-tungsten-molybdenum alloy having about 2-10 atomic percent tungsten and 2-15 atomic percent molybdenum. In some embodiments, the sheath layer can include nickel or a nickel-tungsten alloy having about 0 to 6 atomic percent tungsten. Generally, the core layer is stronger than the sheath layer and an interdiffusion zone can exist between the core layer and the sheath layer. | 11-06-2008 |