Method for producing a stabilized electrical superconductor

Patent · Tue Apr 18 04:00:00 EST 1978

OSTI ID:6939296

Meyer, G

A method of producing a stabilized electrical superconductor is described wherein a longitudinally extending slug is provided, the slug including a matrix of copper within which are embedded, in a central region thereof, a multiplicity of wires or rods made from a superconductor-forming material such as niobium or vanadium. Surrounding the superconductor-forming material, within the outer region of the copper matrix, is a circular array of a material such as copper wires or rods having a high electrical conductivity characteristic, forming an electrically parallel connection with the superconductors which provides a bridge of good electrical conductivity in the event the superconductivity of the superconductor is lost for any reason. The slug is then worked and drawn to convert the various wire or rod components within it into filamentary form, after which a tin layer is applied to its surface. By a heating and annealing process, the tin in the surface layer diffuses radially inward through the copper matrix and into the niobium or vanadium superconductor-forming wires or rods thus to convert the latter into superconductors. The circular array of the wires or rods having the high electrical conductivity characteristic that forms a bridge paralleling the superconductors is enclosed within a sheath of a diffusion-inhibiting material such as tantalum to prevent diffusion thereinto of the tin which would otherwise undesirably reduce their electrical conductivity.

• Assignee: BBC Brown Boveri and Co. Ltd.
• Patent Number(s): US 4084989
• OSTI ID: 6939296
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

420201* -- Engineering-- Cryogenic Equipment & Devices
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ANNEALING
CABLES
CONDUCTOR DEVICES
COPPER
DEPOSITION
DIFFUSION
ELECTRIC CABLES
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ELEMENTS
EQUIPMENT
FABRICATION
FILAMENTS
HEAT TREATMENTS
METALS
NIOBIUM
REFRACTORY METALS
STABILIZED SUPERCONDUCTORS
SUPERCONDUCTING CABLES
SUPERCONDUCTORS
SURFACE COATING
TIN
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
VANADIUM