The Babcock & Wilcox Company

Mcdermott Technology, Inc.

Barry L Conrad

Douglas D Zeigler

Richard A Gleixner

An improved method and apparatus for producing flexible fibers (,) of superconducting material includes a crucible (,) for containing a charge of the superconducting material. The material is melted in the crucible (,) and falls in a stream (,) through a bottom hole (,) in the crucible (,). The stream (,) falls through a protecting collar (,) which maintains the stream (,) at high temperatures. The stream (,) is then supplied through a downwardly directed nozzle (,) where it is subjected to a high velocity of a heated gas (,&prime;) which breaks the melted superconducting material into ligaments which solidify into the flexible fibers (,). The fibers (,) are collected by directing them against a collection filter (,).

Superconductor fiber elongation with a heated injected gas

An improved method and apparatus for producing flexible fibers (30) of superconducting material includes a crucible (12) for containing a charge of the superconducting material. The material is melted in the crucible (12) and falls in a stream (18) through a bottom hole (16) in the crucible (12). The stream (18) falls through a protecting collar (22) which maintains the stream (18) at high temperatures. The stream (18) is then supplied through a downwardly directed nozzle (26) where it is subjected to a high velocity of a heated gas (36') which breaks the melted superconducting material into ligaments which solidify into the flexible fibers (30). The fibers (30) are collected by directing them against a collection filter (32).

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Alliance, OH, United States of America

Barry L Conrad