EP3335280B1 - Connector for superconducting conductors, and use of the connector - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a connector for superconducting conductors and a use of the connector.

Superconductors are materials whose electrical resistance disappears completely below a certain temperature, the transition temperature. As a result, superconductors have no electrical DC losses as long as they are operated at sufficiently low temperatures. A conductor for the transport of electricity or a coil made of such superconducting materials consequently has no DC losses. Thus, a current can be transmitted very effectively via such a conductor. In particular, high magnetic fields can be generated very efficiently with superconducting magnets. A distinction is made between low-temperature and high-temperature superconductors according to the value of the temperature of the phase transition from the superconducting to the normally conductive state. With low-temperature superconductors this is typically below 30 K, with high-temperature superconductors it is sometimes very much higher, e.g. above the boiling point of nitrogen (T = -196 ° C). Therefore, high-temperature superconductors (HTS) are also being discussed for more extensive applications, since - compared to low-temperature superconductors - the effort for cooling is significantly reduced. These include, among other things, energy transmission, rotating machines such as generators, motors, etc., or magnets, e.g. for particle accelerators.

High-temperature superconductors made from rare earth barium copper oxide materials (REBCO for short) are the most interesting HTS materials currently available on the market in terms of field and temperature ranges as well as current density. These materials are produced in the form of thin tapes, in which the superconductor is applied as a thin layer with a thickness of approximately 1 µm on a substrate, so that a tape with a typical thickness of 100 µm with a width in the millimeter range. Classic stranding techniques for the production of superconducting conductors or cables with a high current-carrying capacity cannot be used for these flat strips. Rather, in the latest approaches, stacks of superconductor tapes are produced in order to manufacture electrical conductors or cables for higher currents from the superconductor tapes.

When high electrical power is transmitted through superconductors, the conductors must be cooled accordingly. In order to achieve high current densities in the bundle or cable, they must therefore also be as compact as possible. At the same time, however, a high mechanical stability is also necessary, e.g. with regard to mechanical support with the lowest possible heat input, thermal cycles or electromagnetic forces.

In order to use such superconducting conductors or cables in applications, however, not only the conductors themselves, but also electrical connectors with which the superconducting conductors can be joined together or connected, are of decisive importance. In particular with such superconducting conductors it is important that an electrical connector resistance and / or connection resistance resulting from the connection is as low as possible or negligible. In the context of this description, connector resistance is understood to mean, in particular, the electrical resistance of the connector itself. The sum of the connector resistance and any contact resistances that may occur between the conductors and the connector is referred to below as the connection resistance.

Conventionally, the individual superconducting tapes of a superconducting conductor or cable are individually contacted with the superconducting tapes of a further superconducting conductor or cable. However, this is very time-consuming and costly and therefore not suitable for industrial purposes.

Another well-known way to connect superconducting cables together, is the so-called lap-joint connection. Here, the superconducting conductors are soldered into a copper block, for example, in such a way that the ends of the conductors to be connected overlap. Due to the overlap, the current can flow directly from one conductor into the other over the entire soldered-in length of the superconducting conductor. Depending on the degree of overlap, the electrical connector resistance can be kept low.

However, the conventional solutions have drawbacks. For example, it is very time-consuming to make direct connections between the individual superconductor tapes. In addition, such connections can be comparatively unstable. In the case of lap-joint connections, the greatest possible overlap of the conductors to be connected is advantageous in order to reduce the connector resistance. However, this comes at the expense of compactness. In addition, the conventional connection methods or connectors are very inflexible in handling, especially when laying superconducting conductors or cables. A flexible connection or laying of superconducting conductors or cables plays an important role above all because the superconductor stacks from which the conductors or cables are usually made can only be bent to a very limited extent.

The pamphlets JP 2005 310395 A , JP H03 43971 A , JP 2010 010061 A , GB 2,498,961 A and JP 2003 123866 A disclose devices and methods for joining two superconductors.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a connector for superconducting conductors or cables which is compact, easy to handle and flexible in use.

This object is achieved by the subjects of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the subclaims.

• ein elektrisch leitfähiges Basiselement mit einem ersten Endabschnitt, an dem der zumindest eine erste supraleitfähige Leiter elektrisch kontaktierbar, insbesondere anlötbar, ist und einem zweiten Endabschnitt, an dem der zumindest eine zweite supraleitfähige Leiter elektrisch kontaktierbar ist, wobei das Basiselement zumindest eine Nut aufweist; und
• zumindest ein supraleitfähiges Zusatzelement, das zumindest bereichsweise in der Nut des Basiselements angeordnet ist und sich von dem ersten Endabschnitt zu dem zweiten Endabschnitt des Basiselements erstreckt, wobei das zumindest eine supraleitfähige Zusatzelement unabhängig von den miteinander zu verbindenden Leitern in dem Verbinder integriert ist.

A first independent aspect for achieving the object relates to a connector for electrically connecting at least one first superconducting conductor to at least one second superconducting conductor, comprising:

• an electrically conductive base member having a first end portion in which the at least one first superconductive conductor can be electrically contacted, in particular soldered, and a second end section on which the at least one second superconductive conductor can be electrically contacted, the base element having at least one groove; and
• At least one superconductive additional element which is at least partially arranged in the groove of the base element and extends from the first end section to the second end section of the base element, the at least one superconductive additional element being integrated in the connector independently of the conductors to be connected.

The base element or the base body of the connector is primarily the mechanical connection or intermediate piece between the superconducting conductors or cables to be electrically connected. However, the base element is also electrically conductive, i.e. at least normally conductive. Preferably the base element is at least partially or completely formed from a conductive metal such as copper, aluminum or silver. For example, the base element is a copper block. The base member has a first end portion or a first end and a second end portion or a second end. The first end portion or the first end of the base element is designed to be contacted, i.e. electrically connected, to at least one first superconducting conductor or cable. For example, the first end section can be contacted with one, two, three, four, etc. first superconducting conductors. Correspondingly, the second end section or the second end of the base element is also designed to be contacted or electrically connected to at least one second superconducting conductor or cable. For example, the second end section can be contacted with one, two, three, four, etc. second superconducting conductors. In particular, each end section of the connector or of the base element can have one or more provided contact points for contacting one or more superconducting conductors or cables.

For the purposes of this description, a first and a second conductor mean two conductors to be electrically connected. Contacting is understood to mean an electrical connection, in particular a thermal joining or soldering or also a pressing in suitable materials such as indium.

The at least one first and the at least one second conductor are not part of the connector according to the invention. Only in an assembled state of the connector is the at least one first conductor connected to the first end section of the connector and / or the at least one second conductor is connected to the second end section of the connector.

The at least one superconducting additional element preferably comprises a superconductor or a superconductor tape and most preferably a high-temperature superconductor or a high-temperature superconductor tape, so that with appropriate cooling, ie at temperatures below the transition temperature of the superconductor, a superconducting electrical connection between the first end section and the second end portion of the connector. In other words, the at least one superconductive additional element is arranged in such a way that it superconductively connects the first end section and the second end section to one another below the transition temperature of the superconductive additional element. The at least one superconducting additional element thus acts like a superconducting bypass, which is why the connector according to the invention is also referred to by the inventors as "SC-ByPass connector".

In the assembled state, the at least one superconducting additional element produces an essentially superconducting electrical connection between the at least one first superconducting conductor and the at least one second superconducting conductor. “Essentially superconducting” means or should take into account that contact resistances are possible at the contact points between the conductors and the connector.

The at least one superconducting additional element is in particular not a component of a conductor to be connected, but a separate component of the connector according to the invention. In other words, the at least one superconducting additional element is integrated in the connector independently of the conductors to be connected to one another. The at least one superconducting additional element is arranged or integrated at least in some areas in the base element. The expression "at least in some areas" encompasses the terms "partially", "partially" or "completely". In particular, the at least one superconductive base element is arranged at least in regions within the base element, in particular in a groove in the base element.

The at least one superconducting additional element in the connector according to the invention advantageously ensures that the current does not have to flow over the full distance through the base element when two or more conductors are connected, but rather through the at least one additional element, which at sufficiently low temperatures, ie at temperatures below the transition temperature of the additional element, has no electrical resistance. The electrical resistance of the connector can thus be largely minimized or neglected. In addition, there is no need for the conductors to be connected to overlap, so that the connector according to the invention can also be very compact.

In contrast to conventional connection types, which are mostly based on individually contacting the individual superconductor strips of the conductors to be connected, the connector according to the invention can advantageously be used to implement contacts between entire conductors or cables. Such contacts are easy to produce and are therefore also suitable for industrial use.

It goes without saying that the connector according to the invention is suitable not only for electrically connecting superconducting conductors or cables, but also for connecting any other, in particular normally conducting, conductors or cables.

The base element has at least one groove in which the at least one superconductive additional element is arranged at least in some areas. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one superconducting additional element is electrically connected to the base element or is electrically connected to the base element. For example, the superconductive additional element is inserted, pressed and / or soldered into the groove. The groove can be on a surface or outside of the base element be arranged or formed. A recess can be arranged or formed in the interior of the base element, in particular as a through opening from the first to the second end section.

In a further preferred embodiment, the base element comprises a plurality of base element parts. In other words, the base element can be composed of several base element parts. In the assembled or assembled state of the connector, the totality of the base element parts forms the base element. In particular, the base element parts can be designed in such a way that, in the assembled state of the connector, a groove or recess is formed in the base element between two base element parts.

As an alternative or in addition, the base element comprises a joint or a hinge. In this way it is advantageously possible to bend the base element or the connector in a simple manner.

As an alternative or in addition, the base element is partially or completely formed from copper. For example, the base element comprises one or more copper blocks. In particular, the base element can be a copper block.

Alternatively or additionally, the at least one superconductive additional element comprises or is at least one superconductor tape, in particular a high-temperature superconductor tape. The at least one superconductive additional element preferably comprises a stack of superconductor tapes or the at least one superconductive additional element is a stack of superconductor tapes.

A superconductor tape is a tape which comprises a substrate to which a superconductor, in particular a high-temperature superconductor such as REBCO, is applied as a thin layer, for example with a thickness of about 1 μm. The substrate can, for example, have a thickness of approximately 100 μm. A superconductor tape thus also has a thickness of approximately 100 μm and can, for example, have a width of a few millimeters.

In a further preferred embodiment, the base element comprises a plurality of base element parts or base element sections, which are in particular displaceable into one another in order to compensate for changes in length, a length of the at least one superconducting additional element being greater than the sum of the lengths of the base element parts. In other words, a length of the at least one superconducting additional element is greater than a length of the base element. For example, the at least one superconducting additional element, in particular in a central section of the connector, can be arranged in an arc around the base element. In other words, the at least one superconducting additional element, in particular in a central section of the connector, can be C-shaped or bent. The curved section of the at least one superconducting additional element preferably has a radius> 1 cm. It can thus be ensured that the at least one superconductive additional element or its superconductor tape or its superconductor tapes is or are bent essentially without degradation and thus continues to transmit or transmit the current in the event of changes in angle or length of the base element.

The connector or the base element or at least one of the base element parts preferably comprises a sliding groove in which one or more base element parts can be moved or displaced. With the help of the groove, the base element or the connector is variable or variable in its length.

In the case of a base element which comprises a plurality of base element parts, the at least one superconducting additional element or the at least one superconducting tape stack can be arranged or attached in a simple manner, for example on the inside of the base element parts. The conductors or cables to be connected to the connector can also be contacted in a simple manner with the end sections of the connector, in particular pressed in or soldered in. The space between the cable and the connector can be reduced in a simple manner and thus optimized.

In a further preferred embodiment, the connector or the base element is suitable for electrically connecting n first superconductive conductors to n second superconductive conductors, the connector comprising n or an integer multiple of n superconducting additional elements and where n is a natural integer greater than zero . In particular, n is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc.

In a further preferred embodiment, the at least one conductive base element and in particular also the at least one superconductive additional element are designed to be straight or angled or curved. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one conductive base element and in particular also the at least one superconductive additional element is shaped in such a way that, in an assembled state of the connector, a longitudinal axis of the at least one first superconductive conductor and a longitudinal axis of the at least one second superconductive conductor form an angle between 0 ° and Include or form 180 °. For example, an angle of 0 ° means a straight connector and an angle of 180 ° means a U-shaped connector.

In the assembled state, the first end section of the base element is contacted or connected to at least one first superconductive conductor and / or the second end section of the base element is contacted or electrically connected to at least one second superconductive conductor.

The shape of the connector, ie the base element and / or the superconducting additional element, can be adapted as desired, so that straight connections as well as angled connections can be realized. It is therefore not necessary to bend the superconducting conductor or the superconducting cable sharply. In the case of the currently available superconducting conductors, such a bending generally leads to a degradation of the superconductor, in particular due to the stacked individual superconductor strips or the superconductor body of the conductor formed thereby. Such a degradation can be avoided with the connector according to the invention. Because compared to Superconductor stacks, superconductor single strips can be bent relatively strongly in a simple bending direction, for example in radii of a few centimeters. Thus, using a superconductive additional element which comprises a single or only a few superconductor tapes, connectors that are correspondingly strongly angled or bent can also be realized.

With the connector according to the invention, any path or route, e.g. in pipes, channels or shafts, with essentially straight superconducting conductors and with the help of corresponding connectors or angle pieces according to the invention can be laid or laid in a simple manner. One could see a certain similarity to the laying of water pipes if one neglects the aspect of cooling: the connectors take on the role of press or soldered fittings, the superconducting conductors take on the role of conduits.

Another independent aspect for achieving the object relates to a use of the connector according to the invention for connecting at least one first superconducting conductor to at least one second superconducting conductor.

The at least one first and the at least one second superconducting conductor preferably each comprise a multiplicity of superconducting tapes which are each arranged in a tape stack and each form a superconducting body of the respective superconducting conductor.

In particular, the at least one first superconducting conductor comprises a multiplicity of superconducting tapes which are arranged in a first tape stack and which form a first superconducting body of the at least one first superconducting conductor. Correspondingly, the at least one second superconducting conductor comprises a multiplicity of superconducting tapes which are arranged in a second tape stack and which form a second superconducting body of the at least one second superconducting conductor.

In particular, the superconductor body has a cruciform cross section.

In particular, the tape stack of the superconductor body has superconductor tapes with exactly two different widths.

In a preferred embodiment, the first end section of the connector is electrically contacted with the superconductor body of the at least one first superconductive conductor. Alternatively or additionally, the second end section of the connector is electrically contacted with the superconductor body of the at least one second superconductive conductor.

In a further preferred embodiment, the first end section of the connector is electrically contacted with a cladding tube of the at least one first superconductive conductor. Alternatively or additionally, the second end section of the connector is electrically contacted with a cladding tube of the at least one second superconductive conductor.

It is also possible that the first end section of the connector is electrically contacted both with the cladding tube and with the superconductor body of the at least one first superconductive conductor. Correspondingly, it is possible for the second end section of the connector to be electrically contacted both with the cladding tube and with the superconductor body of the at least one second superconductive conductor.

In a further preferred embodiment, the electrical contact is made by pressing in or thermally joining, in particular by connecting by means of heating or by soldering.

The statements made above or below regarding the embodiments of the first aspect also apply to the above-mentioned further independent aspect and in particular to the preferred embodiments in this regard. In particular, the statements made above and below on the embodiments of the respective embodiments also apply to an independent aspect of the present invention and to preferred embodiments in this regard other aspects.

In particular, within the scope of the present disclosure, a superconductive system is also provided which comprises a first superconductive conductor, a second superconductive conductor and the connector according to the invention. The connector is used in particular to electrically connect the first and second superconductive conductors. In particular, the connector electrically connects the first superconductive conductor to the second superconductive conductor. In particular, the first and / or the second superconducting conductor or the tape stack or the superconducting body of the first and / or the second superconducting conductor, as described above and / or below, has a cruciform cross section. The cross-shaped cross section is realized in particular in that the superconductor body is formed from a tape stack which exclusively has tapes with two different widths or consists exclusively of tapes with two different widths.

In the following, individual embodiments for solving the object are described by way of example with the aid of the figures. Some of the individual embodiments described here have features that are not absolutely necessary in order to implement the claimed subject matter, but which provide desired properties in certain applications. Thus, embodiments are also to be viewed as being disclosed falling under the technical teaching described, which do not have all the features of the embodiments described below. Furthermore, in order to avoid unnecessary repetition, certain features are only mentioned in relation to individual embodiments described below. It should be noted that the individual embodiments should therefore not only be viewed individually but also in an overview. On the basis of this overview, the person skilled in the art will recognize that individual embodiments can also be modified by including individual or multiple features of other embodiments. It should be noted that a systematic combination of the individual embodiments with single or multiple Features that are described in relation to other embodiments may be desirable and useful and should therefore be considered and also to be regarded as encompassed by the description.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1

shows a schematic sketch of a conventional lap-joint connection;

Figure 2

Figure 12 shows a schematic drawing of a connector in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3

Figure 3 shows a schematic drawing of a connector according to another embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4a

Figure 3 shows a schematic drawing of a connector according to another embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4b

FIG. 13 shows a perspective detailed view of the connector according to FIG Figure 4a ;

Figure 4c

FIG. 13 shows a cross-sectional view of the connector according to FIG Figure 4a ;

Figure 5

Figure 3 shows a schematic drawing of a connector according to another embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 6a

Figure 3 shows a schematic drawing of a connector according to another embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 6b

FIG. 13 shows a perspective detailed view of the connector according to FIG Figure 6a ;

Figure 7a

Figure 3 shows a schematic drawing of a connector according to another embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 7b

Figure 3 shows a schematic drawing of a connector according to another embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 8

shows a schematic drawing of the cross section of an exemplary superconducting conductor which can be connected to another conductor by means of the connector according to the invention;

Figure 9

shows a schematic drawing of the cross section of a further exemplary superconducting conductor which can be connected to another conductor by means of the connector according to the invention.

the Figure 1 shows a schematic sketch of a conventional lap-joint connection of two electrical conductors. In this lap-joint connection, the connector consists only of an electrically conductive intermediate piece 15, which has recesses into which the conductors to be connected can be soldered.

Like in the Figure 1 shown, a first conductor 10 and a second conductor 20 are soldered into recesses of a copper block 15 in such a way that the first conductor 10 and the second conductor 20 overlap. In this way, current can flow over the completely soldered length of the conductors 10 or 20 directly from the first conductor 10 into the second conductor 20 or vice versa. The connector or the intermediate piece 15 has no additional superconductor.

As an alternative to the lap-joint connection, the superconductors of the first conductor 10 and the superconductors of the second conductor 20 are conventionally fanned out into individual components and then individually connected to one another.

the Figure 2 Figure 3 shows a schematic drawing of a connector 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this first embodiment, the connector 100 has a straight design and is shown in an assembled state.

The connector 100 comprises a base element 30 and at least one superconductive additional element 40. In the example of FIG Figure 2 the connector 100 comprises in particular six superconductive additional elements 40. Each of these superconductive additional elements 40 is arranged in an associated recess or groove of the base element 30 and extends from a first end section or end 32 to a second end section or end 34 of the base element 30.

In the example of the Figure 2 In the assembled state of the connector 100, the first end section 32 of the connector 100 is contacted or electrically connected to three first superconducting conductors or cables 10. Correspondingly, in the assembled state of the connector 100, the second end section 34 is contacted or electrically connected to three second superconductive conductors 20. In particular, the superconducting conductors 10, 20 are soldered to the corresponding ends 32, 34 of the connector 100, respectively.

In the example of the Figure 2 For example, three additional superconducting elements 40 are arranged on an upper side of the base element 30, while three further additional superconducting elements 40 are arranged on an underside of the base element 30 opposite the upper side. In particular, two superconductive additional elements are located opposite one another, that is to say in each case one superconductive additional element on the upper side of the base element 30 is opposite a superconductive additional element on the lower side of the base element 30. In the assembled state of the connector 100, each of the first superconductive conductors 10 makes contact with at least one superconductive additional element 40, in particular one associated with the intended contact point. This ensures that the current, at least below the transition temperature of the superconductive Additional elements 40, essentially flowing through the superconducting additional elements 40 of the connector 100. The connector resistance of the connector 100 can thus be minimized.

the Figure 3 FIG. 10 shows a schematic drawing of a connector 100 in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention. The connector 100 in this further embodiment differs from the embodiment according to FIG Figure 2 only in that the connector 100 is angled or curved. In particular, the base element 30 and also the superconducting additional elements 40 are angled or curved.

As in the Figure 3 shown, the at least one conductive base element 30 and also the at least one superconductive additional element 40 is shaped such that in the assembled state of the connector 100, a longitudinal axis of the at least one first superconductive conductor 10 and a longitudinal axis of the at least one second superconductive conductor 20 one Include or form angle α. In the straight connector 100 according to FIG Figure 2 is α = 0 °. In the connector according to the Figure 3 α is about 90 °. The angle α can in principle assume any value greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to 180 °. For α = 180 ° the connector is U-shaped. In particular, a large number of connectors 100 can be produced with different angles α, so that they can be used as required.

the Figures 4a to 4c Figure 10 shows schematic drawings of a connector 100 according to a further embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the at least one superconducting additional element 40 of the connector is arranged within the base element 30, that is to say on an inside of the base element 30 or of the connector 100. This makes it possible to achieve a very low contact resistance, since the current only has to flow through a thin layer of solder from the superconductor of the conductor or cable 10 or 20 to the superconductive additional element 40 of the connector 100. The amount of superconductor in the The connector preferably corresponds to at least the amount of superconductor in the conductor or cable 10 or 20.

As in the detailed views of the Figures 4b and 4c As can be seen, the base element 30 comprises four base element parts 30a to 30d. The base element parts 30a to 30d are each designed as quarter shells. Two superconductive additional elements 40 are arranged, in particular inserted, pressed in or soldered in, in each case on an inner side of these base element parts 30a to 30d. In the assembled or joined state of the connector 100, the base element parts 30a to 30d are arranged around the conductor or cable ends 10 and 20 to be connected.

It goes without saying that other embodiments in which the connector 100 or the base element 30 comprises a plurality of base element parts are also possible. For example, the base element can comprise one, two, three, four, five, etc., base element parts. The number and arrangement of additional superconducting elements 40 can also vary.

the Figure 5 FIG. 11 shows a schematic drawing of the connector according to FIG Figures 4a to 4c together with two heating and pressing devices 30e and 30f. These heating and pressing devices 30e and 30f are used to heat and press the connector 100 during the connection process and are then removed.

the Figures 6a and 6b Figure 10 shows schematic drawings of a connector 100 according to a further embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the connector 100 is angled. The base element 30 comprises two base element parts 30g and 30h. The at least one superconducting additional element 40 or the eight superconducting additional elements 40 are each arranged in a recess between the two base element parts 30g and 30h, ie within the base element 30. In this embodiment, the connector 100 is designed to connect two conductors or cables 10 and 20, each of which has a superconductor body 50 with a cross-shaped cross section.

The conductors or cables 10 and 20 each have a jacket tube 80 which surrounds the superconductor body 50. Both the superconductor body 50 and the cladding tube 80 can be contacted with the end sections of the connector 100. In particular, the cable ends can be placed between the base element parts 30g and 30h and then connected to them, in particular soldered and / or pressed.

In the angled connector 100, the superconducting additional elements or the superconducting tapes are all oriented in the same plane in order to guide them along their simple bending axis around the 90 ° angle without degradation.

the Figures 7a and 7b Figure 10 shows schematic drawings of a connector 100 in accordance with further embodiments of the present invention.

In the embodiment of Figure 7a If the connector 100 has a joint or hinge 37 in a central section of the connector 100, with the aid of which an angle of the connector 100 can be varied or adjusted. This is in the Figure 7a indicated schematically by a curved arrow. The additional superconducting elements 40 or superconducting tapes extending through the connector are bent in a C-shape in the middle section of the connector 100 and, in comparison to the base element 30 or to the base element parts 30i and 30j, as well as to the connector 100 itself, a greater length. The minimum bending radius of REBCO tapes is typically 1 cm in a single bending direction. The superconducting tapes therefore preferably have a C-shaped bend with a radius> 1 cm, so that in this way the bend in the superconductor remains free of degradation.

In the embodiment of Figure 7b the connector 100 can be varied in length or its length adjusted along a groove or sliding groove. This is in the Figure 7b indicated schematically by a straight arrow. This is particularly advantageous when the connector 100 cools below the transition temperature, in order to compensate for changes in length that occur in the process.

The superconducting additional elements or superconducting tapes 40 extending through the connector are bent in a C-shape in the central section of the connector 100. The superconducting tapes therefore preferably have a C-shaped bend with a radius> 1 cm, so that in this way the bend in the superconductor remains free of degradation and the current can continue to be transmitted when the base body changes in length.

The cross section of the connector 100 is preferably selected such that, in the event of a quench, the current can flow through the base element 30 or the base element parts until it is switched off.

The connector 100 according to the invention can thus be used to connect at least one first superconductive conductor to at least one second superconductive conductor. The at least one first and the at least one second superconductive conductor can each comprise a plurality of superconductor tapes, which are each arranged in a tape stack and each form a superconductor body of the respective superconductive conductor.

In the Figures 8 and 9 two examples of a superconductive conductor are shown which can be electrically or superconductively connected to the connector 100 according to the invention.

the Figure 8 shows a schematic diagram of the cross section of an exemplary superconducting conductor 10 or 20, which can be connected to a further conductor by means of the connector according to the invention. The superconductive conductor 10 or 20 comprises a plurality of superconductor strips 3, each of which has the same width and is stacked on top of one another. The cross section of the stacked superconductor tapes 3 is rectangular or square in this example. A superconductor body 50 is formed through the tape stack.

In the Figure 9 a schematic diagram of the cross section of a further exemplary superconducting conductor 10 or 20 is shown, which can be connected to a further conductor by means of the connector according to the invention. Compared to the superconducting conductor from the Figure 8 the tape stack or the superconductor body 50 does not have a square, but a cross-shaped cross-section. This is achieved in that superconductor tapes 1 and 2 are used, each with two different widths, in order to form the superconductor stack or the superconductor body 50.

The end sections 32 and 34 of the connector 100 can each be contacted with the superconductor body 50 of a superconductive conductor or cable. A superconducting conductor can also comprise a cladding tube 80. In particular, the superconductor body 50 of a superconductive conductor can be surrounded by a cladding tube 80. This jacket tube 80 can also be contacted at an end section 32, 34 of the connector 100. In this way, a connection or contact is possible in a very simple and stable manner.

The connector 100 according to the invention or the modular connection concept associated therewith, i.e. the provision of a large number of connectors with different angles a, allows the simple technical use of superconducting conductors or cables even with complex geometries. With the aid of the connector 100, the superconducting conductors can be laid analogously to a water pipe. The connector takes on the role of a press fitting or soldering fitting, while the superconducting conductors or cables take on the role of conduits to be connected.

List of reference symbols

1

Superconductor tape

2

Superconductor tape

5

Superconductor tape

10

First superconducting conductor or first superconducting cable

15th

Intermediate piece / copper block

20th

Second superconducting conductor or second superconducting cable

30th

Base element / copper block

30a

Part of the base element

30b

Part of the base element

30c

Part of the base element

30d

Part of the base element

30e

Heating and pressing device

30f

Heating and pressing device

30g

Part of the base element

30h

Part of the base element

30i

Part of the base element

30y

Part of the base element

30k

Part of the base element

30l

Part of the base element

32

First end section / first end

34

Second end section / second end

37

Joint / hinge

40

Superconductive additional element

50

Superconductor stacks / superconductor bodies

80

Cladding tube

100

Interconnects

Claims (15)

1. A connector (100) for electrically connecting at least one first superconducting conductor (10) to at least one second superconducting conductor (20), comprising:

   - an electrically conductive base element (30) with a first end portion (32) on which the at least one first superconducting conductor (10) can be electrically contacted and a second end portion (34) on which the at least one second superconducting conductor (20) can be electrically contacted, wherein the base element (30) has at least one groove; characterized in that the connector (100) has at least one superconducting additional element (40) that is arranged at least in regions in the groove in the base element (30) and extends from the first end portion (32) to the second end portion (34) of the base element (30), wherein the at least one superconducting additional element (40) is integrated into the connector (100) independently of the conductors (10, 20) to be connected to each other.
2. The connector (100) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one superconducting additional element (40) is in electrical contact with the base element (30).
3. The connector (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the base element (30) comprises multiple base element parts (30a-30d; 30g-30h; 30i-30j; 30k-30l) and/or wherein the base element (30) comprises a joint (37) and/or wherein the base element (30) is formed partially or completely from copper and/or wherein the at least one superconducting additional element (40) comprises a superconducting band or a stack of superconducting bands.
4. The connector (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the base element (30) comprises multiple base element parts (30i-30j; 30k-30l) and wherein a length of the at least one superconducting additional element (40) is larger than the sum of the lengths of the base element parts (30i-30j; 30k-30l).
5. The connector (100) according to claim 4, wherein the base element (30) comprises a displacement groove in which at least one of the base element parts (30k, 301) can be displaced.
6. The connector (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the base element (30) is suitable for electrically connecting n first superconducting conductors (10) to n second superconducting conductors (20), wherein the connector (100) comprises n or a whole-number multiple of n superconducting additional elements (40) and wherein n is a natural whole number greater than zero.
7. The connector (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein

   the at least one conductive base element (30) is designed to be straight or curved, and/or wherein

   the at least one conductive base element (30) is formed such that, in an installed state of the connector (100), a longitudinal axis of the at least one first superconducting conductor (10) and a longitudinal axis of the at least one second superconducting conductor (20) encloses an angle between 0° and 180°.
8. A use of the connector (100) according to one of the preceding claims to connect at least one first superconducting conductor (10) to at least one second superconducting conductor (20).
9. The use according to claim 8, wherein the at least one first and the at least one second superconducting conductors each comprise a plurality of superconducting bands (1, 2; 5), which are each arranged for form a band stack and each form a superconducting body (50) of the respective superconducting conductor.
10. The use according to claim 9, wherein the superconducting body (50) has a cross-shaped cross-section.
11. The use according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the band stack of the superconducting body (50) has superconducting bands (1, 2) with exactly two different widths.
12. The use according to one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the first end portion (32) of the connector (100) is electrically contacted by the superconducting body of the at least one first superconducting conductor (10) and/or wherein the second end portion (34) of the connector (100) is electrically contacted by the superconducting body of the at least one second superconducting conductor (20).
13. The use according to one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the first end portion (32) of the connector (100) is electrically contacted by a casing tube (80) of the at least one first superconducting conductor (10), and/or wherein the second end portion (34) of the connector (100) is electrically contacted by a casing tube (80) of the at least one second superconducting conductor (20).
14. The use according to one of claims 8 to 13, wherein the first end portion (32) of the connector (100) is electrically contacted both by the casing tube (80) and by the superconducting body of the at least one first superconducting conductor (10), and/or wherein the second end portion (34) of the connector (100) is electrically contacted both by the casing tube (80) and by the superconducting body of the at least one second superconducting conductor (20).
15. The use according to one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the electrical contact takes place through pressing or thermal joining.

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