Compact cryogenic inductors

Power systems requiring power levels as high as a few megawatts to a few gigawatts for periods or several microseconds to several milliseconds with repetitive frequencies of a few hertz to a few kilohertz are being considered for potential space applications. The impulsive nature of the power presents the opportunity to use inductive energy storage techniques for pulse duty to enhance economic and practical considerations. An inductor must be efficient, lightweight, and reliable, and it must have high energy density if is to be used in space based power systems. Cryogenic inductors are best suited for such an application. Parametric analyses of the two potential types of cryogenic inductors (superconducting and hyperconducting) reveal that the hyperconducting (high purity aluminum) inductor would be significantly lighter and achieve higher energy densities without the added penalty of a helium refrigeration system, thus resulting in improved overall system reliability. The lightweight hyperconducting cryogenic inductor technology is, however, in its infancy. This paper describes the required technology base which would allow the eventual application or the lightweight cryogenic inductor in space power systems, and also conclusively demonstrates the underlying principles