Sensor for detecting a quench in a superconductor using an optical coupling
This patent describes a sensor for detecting a quench in a superconducting coil. It comprises a readout coil located in a magnetic field produced by the superconducting coil that will move in response to a current flow between two potential leads connected to voltage taps on the superconducting coil caused by the presence of a quench in the superconducting coil; at least one light source; at least one light sensor aligned with the light source; an optical encoder integrally attached to the readout and capable of interrupting light emitted by the light source and impinging on the light sensor; a means of biasing the readout coil to return it to an original position when a quench is not present in the superconducting coil; and a means of remotely decoding the transmitted and interrupted light received by the light sensor to indicate the presence of a quench in the superconducting coil.
- Assignee:
- Westinghouse Electric Corp., Pittsburgh, PA (United States)
- Patent Number(s):
- A; US 5067044
- Application Number:
- PPN: US 7-489137
- OSTI ID:
- 5443147
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Quench detector
Sensor and method for ullage level and flow detection