Current control for superconducting magnetic energy storage system

摘要

A superconducting magnetic energy storage system for applying power to a load includes a superconducting magnet, the inductor of which is supplied with current via a source which may be preset to a desired value of current, and wherein a feedback loop responsive to a sensed current adjusts the source to provide the desired current. Energy from the superconducting magnet is transferred via a series of pulses of current from the magnet to a first capacitor for charging the capacitor to a desired voltage greater than the voltage at the superconducting magnet. A further transfer of energy, via a series of pulses of current, results in a charging of a second capacitor to a voltage lower than the voltage of the first capacitor. The second capacitor feeds the load. A switch disposed in a current recirculation path through the magnet is operated cyclically to divert increments of current from the magnet to the first capacitor, and a second switch is operated cyclically to provide pulses of current from the first capacitor to the second capacitor. A diode is disposed in the current path between the magnet and the first capacitor. An inductor is disposed in the current path between the first capacitor and the second capacitor. This arrangement of the components provides for an efficient transfer of power from the magnet to the load.