Presentation Information
[AP7-04]A >100A commercial HTS transformer rectifier flux pump with <1.3 W full system heat load including feedthroughs
*Adam C Francis1, Ryan Galloway1, Rodney A Badcock1,2,3, Nic Rogers Rehn1, Dominic A Moseley1 (1. Robinson Research Institute (New Zealand), 2. OpenStar Technologies (New Zealand), 3. Dodd Walls Centre (New Zealand))
Keywords:
Commercial Flux Pump,Flux Pump Design,Jc(B) Switches,Flux Pump Auxiliary Systems,Cryogenic Engineering
High temperature superconducting transformer rectifier flux pumps (TRFPs) are devices that have a long history with their origins in early low temperature superconductivity research [1]. Their concept is simple and consists of a transformer and switching elements which are controlled in unison to convert an AC current provided by the transformer into a DC current that is applied to a load, usually of high inductance [2]. However, their application into real world systems is filled with nuance dominated by the many dynamics of the superconducting material [3]. The main benefit of TRFPs is that they can allow for high current generation into a superconducting load with much less heat generation in the cryogenic environment as compared to conventional current leads [4]. To reap the benefit of flux pumps and realise their potential in the many real-world applications we need to understand the inherent nuances and incorporate them into the system at every level from conception, to design, manufacture, auxiliary systems, and their control algorithms.
In this presentation, a conduction cooled transformer rectifier flux pump designed to fit a very stringent set of design criteria operating at >100 A with less than 1.3 watts full system heat load will be showcased. This TRFP was designed in collaboration with our commercial partners who needed a fully integrated power supply solution that only a TRFP could provide, where the conventional approach of current leads would inject too much heat load into their cryogenic environment. Additionally, the commercial partners had volume, geometry, weight, and field ripple requirements that further complicated the design. The presented TRFP operates within these pre-defined criteria. The driving electronics, power supplies, thermal control, control hardware and control algorithms that allow this flux pump to operate were created inhouse, all of which fit into a single small rack mount box. This is the first commercial transformer rectifier flux pump system of its kind, which highlights the maturity of the technology and the technical expertise at Robinson Research Institute.
References
1. L.J.M. Van De Klundert and H.H.J. Ten Kate, Fully superconducting rectifiers and fluxpumps Part 1: Realized methods for pumping flux. Cryogenics, 1981. 21(4): p. 195-206.
2. Z. Wen, et al., High Temperature Superconducting Flux Pumps for Contactless Energization. Crystals, 2022. 12(6): p. 766.
3. A.C. Francis, et al, Electrical, magnetic and thermal circuit modelling of a superconducting half-wave transformer rectifier flux pump using Simulink. Superconductivity, 2023. 7: p. 100053.
4. J. Geng, et al., High-Tc superconducting transformer-rectifiers: principle, realization, and applications. SUST, 2025. 38(4): p. 043001.
In this presentation, a conduction cooled transformer rectifier flux pump designed to fit a very stringent set of design criteria operating at >100 A with less than 1.3 watts full system heat load will be showcased. This TRFP was designed in collaboration with our commercial partners who needed a fully integrated power supply solution that only a TRFP could provide, where the conventional approach of current leads would inject too much heat load into their cryogenic environment. Additionally, the commercial partners had volume, geometry, weight, and field ripple requirements that further complicated the design. The presented TRFP operates within these pre-defined criteria. The driving electronics, power supplies, thermal control, control hardware and control algorithms that allow this flux pump to operate were created inhouse, all of which fit into a single small rack mount box. This is the first commercial transformer rectifier flux pump system of its kind, which highlights the maturity of the technology and the technical expertise at Robinson Research Institute.
References
1. L.J.M. Van De Klundert and H.H.J. Ten Kate, Fully superconducting rectifiers and fluxpumps Part 1: Realized methods for pumping flux. Cryogenics, 1981. 21(4): p. 195-206.
2. Z. Wen, et al., High Temperature Superconducting Flux Pumps for Contactless Energization. Crystals, 2022. 12(6): p. 766.
3. A.C. Francis, et al, Electrical, magnetic and thermal circuit modelling of a superconducting half-wave transformer rectifier flux pump using Simulink. Superconductivity, 2023. 7: p. 100053.
4. J. Geng, et al., High-Tc superconducting transformer-rectifiers: principle, realization, and applications. SUST, 2025. 38(4): p. 043001.