Abstract:
Magnetic energy is stored in trapped form in a wide variety of superconducting masses such as granules, particulates, foil, and thin film to be released as electrical energy by magnetically coupling to a normal coil as the trapped field is caused to decay. This trapped-field energy storage (TES) has many advantages over other superconducting energy storage schemes including elevated temperature operation, lowered refrigeration capital and operating costs, lowered costs of cryogen, lowered thermal conduction losses, lowered cost of thermal insulation, capability of operating in modular form, and transportability of the trapped magnetic energy.
Abstract:
Method and apparatus are provided for an emission controlled current limiting device. The apparatus may control the current thermionically, by cold cathode emission, by photo-emission, or with plasma devices; the common feature being that the current is limited by controlling a series emission process. The apparatus has applications in both power line transmission and distribution networks to protect existing utility equipment and reduce the cost of new equipment.
Abstract:
A technique is disclosed herein for separating out one group of polar particles for example PCB molecules having polar moments of given magnitudes, from a separate group of polar particles, for example oil molecules having polar moments of lesser magnitude, in a mixture of the two. This is accomplished by utilizing a chamber containing a substance which has an affinity for the first particle, preferably neoprene in the case of PCB. The substance is carried by arrangements of electrodes or the like which produce a non-uniform electric field in the chamber which causes the first particle, e.g. the PCB, to be attracted toward the substance carried by the electrodes, e.g., the neoprene, faster than the second particles. In this way, first particles are separated out from the mixture and are absorbed by a particle collecting substance of suitable type.
Abstract:
Apparatus and method utilizing superconductors in the persistent current state are provided for storing magnetic fields of any configuration in such a way that the field may be varied in a controlled and reproducible manner; for creating a complex and/or large volume field by either of two modular methods; and for producing the most miniaturized magnetic field. Means are provided for increasing the fidelity, the magnitude, and the stability of the stored magnetic field.
Abstract:
A high voltage overhead electrical transmission cable in which an electrical conductor is eccentrically disposed in a water permeable electrically conductive jacket in electrical contact with the jacket to create a chamber therebetween. A layer of high water-sorbing material, preferably water swellable and insoluble gel-forming polymer, is disposed in the chamber. In this system, water falling on the surface of the jacket permeates through it for absorption by the sorbing material to reduce corona losses.
Abstract:
A flux pump having a closed superconducting circuit including wire of relatively high critical field and a gate defining a current-carrying path through a coil, the latter being moveable relative to a magnetic field source to cause normal conduction of current in a plurality of gate modules of a relatively low critical field in the circuit at spaced locations along the same. Thus, a flux pumping action occurs in the coil as the modules are subjected to the field of the source. The modules are separated from each other by strips of insulation material and the wire, connected to opposite ends of the gates, passes through adjacent insulation strips in a manner such that the current flow in the circuit is always in the same direction. The speed of the flux pumping action can be increased by having several groups of modules arranged in parallel with each other and excited simultaneously with a number of modules in each group being in series with each other. A plurality of gates properly connected within a module also increases the rate of excitation or de-excitation of the flux pump.
Abstract:
This invention deals with novel method and apparatus for positioning and motion control of the elements (mirrors) of a Fresnel reflector solar concentrator tracking heliostat array by induced and/or permanent dipole coupling to an electronic grid to produce angular deflection, and rotational motion. Thus forces and torques are produced without the use of internal moving parts. Control is achieved without recourse to magnetic fields, by means of high electric fields which may be attained at relatively low voltages. At low voltages, the instant invention exceeds the capability of conventional systems. It can perform dynamic motion control with independent amplitude and frequency modulation. It is ideally suited for maximization of solar energy focused by the array onto a receiver. Since there are no internal moving parts, the instant invention is the most adapted for fabrication from the mini- to the microtechnology realm. Furthermore it provides less costly and greater ease of manufacture from the mini- to the micro-realm.
Abstract:
This invention deals with novel method and apparatus for positioning and motion control of the optical elements (mirrors and lenses) of a Fresnel solar concentrator tracking array which approximately eliminates gravitational torque by use of a central universal pivot or gimbals. Linkage torque is produced by induced and/or permanent dipole coupling to an electronic grid to produce angular deflection, and rotational motion that is enhanced by the presence of highly polarizable material. This system is ideally suited for maximization of solar energy focused by the array onto a receiver. Since there are no mechanical linkages, the instant invention is applicable for fabrication from the mini- to the nano-technology realm. The elimination of gravitational torque by balancing the optical elements on a universal pivot or gimbals greatly reduces the power required for the optical elements to track the sun and focus sunlight onto a receiver.
Abstract:
A highly polarizable high dielectric constant positioning and motion control of the elements (approximately planar mirrors) of a Fresnel reflector solar concentrator tracking heliostat array wherein the elements are suspended with the center of mass above the swivel point, below the swivel point, or have an internal-swivel. The torque to produce angular deflection, and rotational motion is provided by induced and/or permanent dipole coupling to an electronic grid. The force interaction is greatly enhanced by securing a high dielectric material adjacent to each mirror. Thus forces and torques are produced without the use of motors. This allows maximization of solar energy focused by a low-profile concentrator array onto a receiver. Dynamic motion can be controlled over a wide range of dimensions from nanometers to decimeters.
Abstract:
This invention deals with novel method and apparatus for positioning and motion control of a solar cell system that tracks the sun or other light source. This achieves an advantageous increase in output power. The torque to produce angular deflection, and rotational motion is provided separately by an induced and/or permanent dipole coupling to an electronic grid. Thus forces and torques are produced without the use of internal moving parts such as in motors. The instant invention exceeds the capability of conventional systems. It is suited for maximization of solar energy with an ideally low-profile tracking solar cell array. Since there are no motors or other heavy and expensive equipment, the instant invention provides less costly and greater ease of manufacture, transportation, and installation. Dynamic motion can be controlled over a wide range of dimensions from micrometers to decimeters.