The Boeing Company

Thomas S Luhman

Darryl F Garrigus

Michael Strasik

Michael Robert Chapman

Anna L Baker

Harlow G Ahlstrom

Kay Youngdahl Blohowiak

Brad Lee Kirkwood

Ronald R Stephenson

Kevin Earl McCrary

Michael Jeffrey Graves

Thomas D Martin

John R Barton

Paul D Nedervelt

Fatih Dogan

Corrie B Martin

Ilhan Aksay

William C Hicks

A process is provided for preparing solid superconducting mixed-metal oxides whereby the superconductor can be formed into any predetermined shape by way of viscous sol precursors. The superconductors are also formed by this process into homogeneous phases.

Method for producing superconducting oxide compounds

A flywheel system suitable for storing energy when demand for energy from a power plant is low, and from which energy can be retrieved when energy demand increases. The flywheel includes (a) a circular composite or metallic glass ring with a radial width limited to less than about 30 percent of the ring's outer radius, and (b) at least one spoke extending along a diameter of the ring, and attached to the ring at either end. The spoke has sufficient radial extendability due to either bending and elastic radial elongation, or only elastic elongation so that, when the flywheel rotates at operating speed, the spoke extends radially to match the radial growth of the ring, without subjecting the flywheel to significant tension at points of attachment of the spoke to the ring. In one embodiment, both flywheel ring and spoke are made of oriented high strength fibers embedded in a thermoplastic resin. Also provided are a magnetic bearing and motor/generator system that are of an axial-gap design so that magnets are held in a substantially fixed position relative to each other, as the flywheel expands radially under centrifugal forces. Further, both motor/generator and flywheel bearings utilize a system of permanent magnets alternating with a high magnetic permeability composition in order to produce highly uniform magnetic fields in the bearing to reduce magnetic drag and improve efficiency, and to produce high torque in the motor generator. The flywheel bearing assembly includes a bulk high temperature superconductive magnet that provides lateral stability to the flywheel.

Magnetic systems for energy storage flywheels

We make large (in excess of 2 cm in diameter), single crystal YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x [123 YBCO] crystals, where x.ltoreq.0.6, in a seventeen step process or some variant thereof from finely ground and well mixed 123 YBCO and 211 YBCO powders with a small amount of Pt by controlling the rate of cooling from within a compact of the powders using a temperature gradient in the radial and axial planes (independently) of about 1-1.degree. C./inch diameter of compact to nucleate the crystal growth. We promote crystal growth as well using a samarium oxide seed crystal, preferably SmBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.(7-y), where y.ltoreq.1.6. After nucleation we cool the compact slowly at a rate from about 0.1-1.degree. C./hr to promote the single crystal development.

Making large, single crystal, 123 YBCO superconductors

A method and apparatus for temperature activated protection of electronic components from interfering electromagnetic radiation comprising the step of shielding of a component with a thin film of superconducting material characterized by a critical temperature of at least 93.degree.K, and exposing the film to a temperature below the critical temperature. To allow transmissions to and from the component, the shield is converted to a window by heating the film to a temperature above the critical temperature.

Superconducting windows for electromagnetic screening

A ceramic composite comprising ceramic fibers and glass microparticles bound together as a porous matrix with a ceramic binder provides baffles for cryogenic fluids in a storage container.

Microparticle enhanced fibrous ceramic baffle for cryogenic liquid

Flywheels for energy storage

Growing community of inventors

Bellevue, WA, United States of America

Thomas S Luhman