Advanced Conductor Technologies LLC together with researchers from the Center for Advanced Power Systems at Florida State University have received a Phase I SBIR award from the Navy. The grant titled “Superconducting Cable Connections” is for developing reliable cable connections for shipboard cables.
Technical Abstract
The Navy has expressed interest in shipboard high-temperature superconducting (HTS) cable systems for power transmission and degaussing purposes. The practical application of such cable systems requires flexible superconducting cables and cable connectors that allow for a quick and reliable cable installation into, or removal from, its pre-installed cryostat. Advanced Conductor Technologies and the Center for Advanced Power Systems at Florida State University propose to develop flexible CORC cables and reliable, low-loss CORC cable connections for their application in shipboard helium gas-cooled degaussing and power transmission systems. The CORC cable that is being commercialized by ACT is currently the only HTS cable that is flexible enough to be pulled through a pre-installed cryostat. Its feasibility for use in shipboard, helium gas-cooled cable systems will be determined. Small cable connectors for CORC degaussing and power transmission cables will be developed that allow for a quick cable installation or removal. The connectors will have a resistance of less than 2 micro-Ohms per tape connection to ensure a low electrical loss.
Commercial applications and other benefits
The anticipated benefits and potential commercial application of the proposed work are a flexible superconducting cable and practical cable connectors for shipboard superconducting degaussing and power transmission applications. This will provide the Navy with lighter and more cost efficient superconducting systems to replace conventional copper systems on board of Navy ships. The proposed work will likely result in other commercial applications within the Department of Defense, NASA, the Department of Energy and other non-government markets. Applications could be for airborne power transmission, magnet feeder systems for high-energy physics and fusion magnets, and compact transmission cables for the electric power grid.