| Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
|---|
| 361019000 | Superconductor protective circuits | 33 |
| 20080232004 | Circuit For Effective Quench Heating in Superconducting Magnets - An assembly comprising a number of superconductive coils, at least one quench heater arranged to heat the superconductive coil(s) in the event that at least part of at least one of the coils enters a quenched state; means for transferring energy from the coil(s) to the heater(s) in the event that at least part of at least one of the coils enters a quenched state; wherein the means for transferring energy from the coil(s) to the heater(s) includes a series capacitance, through which the energy transferred must pass. | 09-25-2008 |
| 20090002902 | Superconducting Magnetic Coil with a Quench Protection Circuit, and Mrt Apparatus Embodying Same - A superconductive magnetic coil arrangement has a superconducting magnetic coil and a circuit for quench protection. The quench protection circuit includes at least one diode connected in parallel with a portion of the superconductive magnetic coil. The at least one diode is in thermal contact with the superconductive magnetic coil A magnetic resonance tomography apparatus embodies such a magnetic coil arrangement. | 01-01-2009 |
| 20090040664 | ACTIVE SHIELD SUPERCONDUCTING ELECTROMAGNET APPARATUS AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING SYSTEM - The active shield superconducting electromagnet apparatus includes: a main switching circuit in which first and second main coils, first and second shield coils, and a first superconducting persistent current switch are connected in series; a sub switching circuit in which a bypass circuit, in which a superconducting fault current limiter and a second superconducting persistent current switch are connected in series, are connected to a series circuit of the first main coil and the second main coil in parallel; a first closed circuit in which at least one of the first main coil and the first shield coil, and a first quench protection circuit are connected in series; and a second closed circuit in which one of the second main coil and the second shield coil, and a second quench protection circuit are connected in series. | 02-12-2009 |
| 20090046399 | Superconducting coil quench detection method and device, and superconducting power storage unit - A superconducting coil quench detection method and device capable of detecting a quench detection voltage even in a superconducting coil where a plurality of element coils are connected with a plurality of current sources and operated with repetitive pulses or AC and a voltage of several kV is applied continuously as an induction voltage. A super conducting power storage unit is also provided. | 02-19-2009 |
| 20090052097 | Hybrid-type superconducting fault current limiter - Disclosed is provided a hybrid-type superconducting fault current limiter for rapidly limiting a fault current, the fault current limiter having a first circuit and a second circuit which are connected in parallel with each other, wherein the first circuit includes a superconductor and a circuit breaker which are connected in series with each other, and wherein the second circuit includes a driver having a driving coil and an electromagnetic repeller, a short contact connected in parallel with the driver, and a current limiting unit connected in series with a third circuit including the driver and the short contact. The hybrid-type superconducting fault current limiter comprises a power semiconductor element switch connected in series with the first circuit, the power semiconductor element switch normally maintaining an ON state and being activated and changed into an OFF state by a fault sensing signal generated according to an inflow of the fault current. | 02-26-2009 |
| 20090067101 | Method and System for Limiting a Current in an Alternating Current Generator - A method of connecting a superconducting fault current limiter to an alternating current generator to limit a current flowing in the generator is disclosed. A superconducting fault current limiter is connected in proximity with the generator to limit the current flowing in the generator. A system comprising a superconducting fault current limiter, a generator and a circuit is also disclosed. | 03-12-2009 |
| 20090086386 | Fault current limiter - A fault current limiter comprising: an input node; an output node; a variable impedance element coupled between the input node and the output node; a closed loop cryocooler circuit, comprising a first cryocooler for cooling the variable impedance element and a second cryocooler, thermally coupled to the first cryocooler, for cooling the first coolant, wherein the variable impedance element comprises Magnesium Diboride. | 04-02-2009 |
| 20090103217 | SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR LIMITING CURRENT IN A SUPERCONDUCTING COIL - A superconducting coil circuit for a superconducting magnet includes a superconducting coil and a current limiting apparatus. The current limiting apparatus is connected in series with the superconducting coil and includes a mechanical device configured to cause a quench in the superconducting coil when a current in the superconducting coil reaches a predetermined value. | 04-23-2009 |
| 20090190274 | CURRENT LIMITING MODULE AND HYBRID CURRENT LIMITER USING DIFFERENT KINDS OF SUPERCONDUCTING WIRES - The present invention provides a current limiting module and a hybrid current limiter using different kinds of superconducting wires. The current limiting module includes a first superconducting wire that is wound in a predetermined direction, and a second superconducting wire that has quench characteristic different from the first superconducting wire and is wound to generate magnetic flux in a direction opposite to magnetic flux induced by the first superconducting wire. According to the present invention, inductance is generated due to unequal supply of fault current. Therefore, it is possible to prevent current from being suddenly increased, and to reduce the number of superconducting wires required to manufacture the current limiting module. Further, the hybrid current limiter does not need to include a separate coil for operating a fast switch. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090237845 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS INVOLVING PROTECTION OF SUPERCONDUCTING GENERATORS FOR POWER APPLICATIONS - A system for protecting superconducting generator field coils including a controller configured to monitor for a quenching of a superconducting field coil of a generator and control a dissipation of a current flow in the superconducting field coil in an event of the quenching, and an armature coil of the generator configured to cause the dissipation of the current flow in the superconducting field coil responsive to the controller in the event of the quenching of the superconducting field coil. A method for protecting superconducting generator field coils including monitoring for a quenching of a superconducting field coil of a generator, and dissipating a current flow in the superconducting field coil via an armature coil of the generator in response to a detection of the quenching. | 09-24-2009 |
| 20090257155 | PERSISTENT SWITCH SYSTEM - A persistent switches for use in a superconducting system includes a resistive element, a persistent switch connected in parallel with the resistive element and an inductive element connected to the persistent switch and the resistive element such that the inductive element limits a current in a hotspot of the persistent switch. | 10-15-2009 |
| 20100046125 | FAULT CURRENT LIMITING - An alternating current system | 02-25-2010 |
| 20100177450 | METHOD AND DEVICES FOR STABILIZING ELECTRIC GRID POWER - The invention provides an electric grid stabilization metadevice including a plurality of interactive grid devices each forming part of a respective electrical path of an electric grid and each including, a variable impedance device that inserts a current limiting impedance in the respective path when a fault occurs, a state detection transducer connected to the variable impedance device to change a detection state when the fault occurs and an integral communications system having transmission and reception capabilities and being connected to the state detection transducer and variable impedance device, wherein a fault detected by each of the interactive grid devices automatically causes transmission of a signal to another integrated grid device, reception of the signal by the other integrated grid device and an insertion of a current limiting impedance by the other integrated grid device. | 07-15-2010 |
| 20100188786 | Fault Current Limiter - A method is for suppressing induced steady state and transient currents and voltages in the DC circuit and coil of a magnetically saturated core fault current limiter. The method includes the steps of: (a) providing a first current coil connected to a DC power source surrounding the core for magnetically saturating the core; and (b) providing a second resistive current coil surrounding the core and either short circuited or interconnected to the DC power source in parallel to the first current coil and wound around the core in a forward or reverse sense to the first current coil. | 07-29-2010 |
| 20100254047 | EARLY QUENCH DETECTION IN A SUPERCONDUCTING ARTICLE - A superconducting article is provided which incorporates an early quench detection facility. The superconducting article includes a first superconductive segment and a second superconductive segment, along with a magnetic field sensor(s). The magnetic field sensor(s) is disposed to monitor relative change in strength of a net magnetic field generated by a first current passing through the first superconductive segment and a second current passing through the second superconductive segment. A relative change in strength of the net magnetic field indicates degradation of a critical quench current of the first superconductive segment or the second superconductive segment, caused for example, by formation of one or more hot-spots or quench regions in the first or second superconductive segment. The indication of degradation is thus obtained prior to complete superconductive segment quenching. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20100254048 | High Voltage Fault Current Limiter Having Immersed Phase Coils - A fault current limiter including: a ferromagnetic circuit formed from a ferromagnetic material and including at least a first limb, and a second limb; a saturation mechanism surrounding a limb for magnetically saturating the ferromagnetic material; a phase coil wound around a second limb; a dielectric fluid surrounding the phase coil; a gaseous atmosphere surrounding the saturation mechanism. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20100309590 | High Voltage Saturated Core Fault Current Limiter - A fault current limiter designed for connection into a medium voltage, high voltage, or extra-high voltage substation or other high voltage source such as a generator station, the limiter including: a ferromagnetic circuit formed from a ferromagnetic material and including at least a first limb, a second limb and a third limb; a first input phase coil wound around the first limb, a second output phase coil wound around the third limb; a saturation mechanism surrounding a limb for magnetically saturating the ferromagnetic material; a containment vessel providing a substantially uniform, low electrical conductivity medium surrounding the ferromagnetic circuit, the phase coils and the saturation mechanism. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20110026170 | SUPERCONDUCTING FAULT CURRENT LIMITER - A superconducting fault current limiter comprises a superconducting element having a plurality of superconducting portions and at least connector. Each superconducting portion has end regions and each connector is connected to the end regions of adjacent superconducting portions to electrically and thermally connect adjacent superconducting portions of the superconducting fault current limiter together. Each connector provides a local reduction in the critical current and quench current of the end regions of the superconducting portions in contact with the at least one connector. This provides a phased transition of the superconducting fault current limiter in relation to the severity of a fault current. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110069418 | PASSIVE QUENCH PROTECTION CIRCUIT FOR SUPERCONDUCTING MAGNETS - A superconducting magnet apparatus that in one embodiment includes at least one superconducting coil and a passive quench protection circuit electrically coupled to the coil in parallel. The circuit includes a heater and a current limiter connected in series. The heater is thermally coupled to the coil and the current limiter blocks current through the circuit at a current lower than the current rating of the heater. | 03-24-2011 |
| 20120044603 | QUENCH DETECTION SYSTEM FOR A SUPERCONDUCTOR FAULT CURRENT LIMITER - A quench detection system for a fault current limiter ( | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120154959 | Power Transfer Mechanism for Use in Transmission and Distribution Level Electrical Power Systems - An improved power transfer mechanism is disclosed, which is particularly beneficial in power transmission applications. The mechanism allows the SCFCL system to have more than one electrical reference. The use of hydraulic power simplifies the design of systems in which one part of the system is referenced to ground, while a second part of the system is referenced to a different voltage, typically much higher than ground. For example, the tank of the SCFCL system may not be connected to ground, while hydraulic power supply is referenced to ground. This embodiment is performed without the use of an electrically conductive path between the two parts of the system. | 06-21-2012 |
| 20120170158 | SUPERCONDUCTING RESISTIVE FAULT CURRENT LIMITER - A high-temperature superconductor fault current limiter elements ( | 07-05-2012 |
| 20120236440 | Superconducting Fault Current Limiter System - A SCFCL system includes a first SCFCL, a second SCFCL, and a controller configured to control at least one switch to couple the first SCFCL to a power line between an AC source and a load, and to electrically isolate the second SCFCL from the power line during a first operating mode when the first SCFCL is in service and the second SCFCL serves as a spare. During the first operating mode, the second SCFCL, may be maintained in a latent standby state or an immediate standby state. The second SCFCL may be automatically switched into service to provide for fault current protection in case the first SCFCL needs to be taken out of service for maintenance, repair, or replacement. | 09-20-2012 |
| 20120257313 | Superconducting Fault Current Limiter - A superconducting fault current limiter (SCFCL) includes a cryogenic tank defining an interior volume, a superconductor disposed in the interior volume, and a refrigeration system configured to adjust a temperature of the superconductor in response to a condition during a steady state operation of the SCFCL. A method of operating a SCFCL includes cooling a superconductor disposed within an interior volume of a cryogenic tank to a temperature less than a critical temperature of the superconductor, and adjusting the temperature of the superconductor in response to a condition during a steady state operation of the SCFCL. | 10-11-2012 |
| 20120275067 | SUPERCONDUCTING FAULT CURRENT LIMITER - A connector assembly of a superconducting fault current limiter includes a first superconducting tape element, an electrical connector electrically coupled to the first superconducting element at a first region of the electrical conductor, and a second superconducting tape element electrically coupled to the electrical connector in a second region of the electrical connector. The electrical connector comprises a unitary structure. The first superconducting tape element, the electrical connector, and the second superconducting tape element comprise may comprise a layer. | 11-01-2012 |
| 20120327538 | SUPERCONDUCTING FAULT CURRENT LIMITER FOR SUPPRESSING BUS VOLTAGE DROP IN ELECTRIC POWER SYSTEM - Disclosed herein is a Superconducting Fault Current Limiter (SFCL) for suppressing a bus voltage drop in an electric power system. A primary winding, a secondary winding, and a tertiary winding are wound around an identical iron core, and a superconductor is connected to any one of the primary winding and the secondary winding. A first switch is connected to any one of the primary winding and the secondary winding and is configured to be opened so as to separate a faulty section when a fault current is generated and to be shorted when the fault current is eliminated. A second switch is connected in series to the tertiary winding and is configured to be shorted so as to stably supply power when the fault current is generated and to be opened when the fault current is eliminated. According to the present invention, there are advantages in that a fault current is limited using magnetic coupling between two coils that are connected in a non-isolated type (in parallel or in series) or in an isolated type and in that a faulty section is separated using a switch and power is stably supplied to a section, in which a bus voltage drop has occurred due to the fault current, using a tertiary winding and a switch connected thereto, thus improving the stability of the system and obtaining economic effects. | 12-27-2012 |
| 20130027816 | SUPRACONDUCTIVE COIL TRANSITION DETECTOR - The invention relates to a supraconductive coil transition detector comprising means for disconnecting the detector directly before a coil discharge phase. The detector comprises a resistive divider (R | 01-31-2013 |
| 20130170078 | HIGH VOLTAGE PROTECTION CIRCUIT FOR NON-TOLERANT INTEGRATED CIRCUIT - A high voltage protection circuit for a non-tolerant integrated circuit is described herein. A non-tolerant integrated circuit may be a powered down integrated circuit or a low voltage tolerant integrated circuit, that may be exposed to a high voltage source such as an external circuit, device or power supply. The high voltage protection circuit includes a limiting transistor circuit, a control transistor circuit, and an isolation transistor circuit. The limiting transistor circuit limits or holds the voltage at the signal bump to be less than a voltage that can damage the circuit. The isolation transistor circuit disconnects input/output signal circuitry from normal protection circuitry. Both the limiting transistor circuit and the isolation transistor circuit are controlled by the control transistor circuit and are responsive to the power supply voltage being off. | 07-04-2013 |
| 20130194703 | CURRENT LIMITER - This invention relates to a current limiter comprising a first circuit portion arranged in parallel with a second circuit portion, the first circuit portion comprising a superconductor element arranged in series with a switching arrangement, the second circuit portion comprising a load element, the superconductor element being disposed within a cooling chamber, and the cooling chamber and the switch being disposed within a vacuum chamber, wherein the switching arrangement comprises: a mechanical actuator which is operable between a closed condition in which current is conducted through the first circuit portion and an open condition in which current is diverted from the first circuit portion through the second circuit portion and a controller for monitoring and operating the switch. | 08-01-2013 |
| 20130293987 | Quench Detection System for Superconducting Magnets - A quench detection device (or method) is provided that receives real-time information of concurrently monitored electrical characteristics of a high temperature superconducting (HTS) device, or any superconducting material, device, or system including low temperature superconductors, during operation. The quench detection device determines whether an electrical threshold is satisfied based on the received real-time information. The quench detection device detects a quench condition if the electrical threshold remains satisfied over a predetermined period of time or a predetermined successive number of times. If a quench detection is detected, the quench detection device sends a signal to terminate the operation of the HTS device. | 11-07-2013 |
| 20140185165 | SUPERCONDUCTING COIL SYSTEM AND METHODS OF ASSEMBLING THE SAME - A superconducting magnet apparatus is provided. The superconducting magnet apparatus includes a power source configured to generate a current; a first switch coupled in parallel to the power source; a second switch coupled in series to the power source; a coil coupled in parallel to the first switch and the second switch; and a passive quench protection device coupled to the coil and configured to by-pass the current around the coil and to decouple the coil from the power source when the coil experiences a quench. | 07-03-2014 |
| 20160156174 | AC-CURRENT INDUCED QUENCH PROTECTION SYSTEM | 06-02-2016 |
| 20160197471 | DEVICE FOR A CURRENT LIMITER AND A CURRENT LIMITER COMPRISING SAID DEVICE | 07-07-2016 |
