Superconductivity, Inc.

Eric L Kostecki

Jeffery C Emmerich

Carel C DeWinkel

Sang H Kim

Warren Buckles

A superconducting voltage stabilizer is set forth which utilizes a superconducting coil for storing and releasing electrical energy. A first semiconductor switch is disposed to conduct current from the superconducting coil therethrough when the superconducting coil is to be charged or is to store energy and to inhibit current flow therethrough when the superconducting coil is to release energy. A crowbar circuit including a second semiconductor switch and a dump load are also employed. A third semiconductor switch is connected in parallel with the dump load and is disposed in series between the superconducting coil and the crowbar circuit. Quench detection and control circuits are employed for detecting a quench condition of the superconducting coil. In response to the occurrence of a quench condition, the quench detection and control circuits control the first and third semiconductor switches to go to an open condition, and the second semiconductor switch to go to a closed condition thereby to dissipate energy from the superconducting coil into the dump load. As a further enhancement to the reliability of the foregoing system, fail detection circuits are employed for detecting a fail condition of one or more of the first, second, or third semiconductor switches.

Protection device for a superconducting coil of a superconducting

A superconducting energy stabilizer having multiple load connections employs DC-DC conversion. A discharging DC-DC converter removes stored energy from a superconducting inductive energy storage device or superconducting magnet and delivers the energy to an energy storage cell for use by a load or a utility or industrial electrical distribution system. Regenerated energy can also be retrieved from regenerative type devices and stored in the superconducting magnet for later use. A charging DC-DC converter provides this function. The charging DC-DC converter and the discharging DC-DC converter as well as an off-the-line power supply which provides energy for storage in the superconducting magnet can operate simultaneously under the control of a control system.

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Madison, WI, United States of America

Eric L Kostecki