System for initiating and maintaining superconductivity in an electrical generator coil

Abstract

In one embodiment, the invention comprises a system for initiating superconductive current flow in a coil formed from material that is superconductive below a certain temperature. The coil is immersed in a cryogenic fluid to cool the coil below its superconductive temperature. Heat is applied to a first segment of the coil to maintain the first segment above a superconductive temperature. A current flow is established in a second segment of the coil from a source of electric current. After the second segment becomes superconductive, the application of heat to said first segment is discontinued, thereby allowing the first segment to cool below the superconductive material and establishing superconductive current flow within the first and second segment of the coil.

1 . A system for initiating superconductive current flow in a coil formed from material that is superconductive below a certain temperature, comprising: 
 a container of cryogenic fluid in which said coil is immersed for cooling said coil below the temperature at which said coil becomes superconductive;    a source of electric current;    a heater formed from electrically resistive material positioned in proximity to a first segment of the coil;    a circuit for supplying electric current from said source through said electrically resistive material;    a circuit for supplying electric current from said source through a second segment of said coil extending from a first location on a first side of said first segment to a second location on a second side of said first segment; and    an electrical switch for interrupting current flow to said heater, thereby allowing aid segment of said coil to cool to superconductive temperature and establishing superconductive current flow the said first segment and said second segment of said coil.    
   
   
       2 . A method for initiating superconductive current flow in a coil formed from material that is superconductive below a certain temperature, comprising: 
 immersing said coil in a cryogenic fluid to cool said coil below its superconductive temperature;    applying heat to a first segment of said coil to maintain said first segment above a superconductive temperature;    establishing a current flow in a second segment of said coil from a source of electric current; and    after said second segment becomes superconductive, discontinuing the application of heat to said first segment, thereby allowing said first segment to cool below the superconductive material and establishing superconductive current flow within the first and second segment of said coil.