A superconductor cylinder, charged with a high magnetic field, can be used to create a similar field in a larger cylinder. The uncharged cylinder is precooled, lowered into a helium dewar system, and fitted around the cylinder with the magnetic field. Magnetic flux lines pass through the two cylinders

Hildebrandt, A. F.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

Second Superci 
After Charging 
Charged Superi 
Helium i: 
November 1964	 Brief 63-10237 
NASA TECH BRIEF	
1 
This NASA Tech Brief is issued by the Technology Utilization Division to acquaint 
industry with the technical content of an innovation derived from the space program. 
Supercold Technique Duplicates Magnetic Field in Second 
Superconductor 
The problem: To generate a magnetic field in one 
or more superconductor tubes or cylinders without the 
necessity of building up a high magnetic field outside 
the cylinder with a magnetic coil. 
The solution: A technique that causes a supercon-
ductor cylinder, already charged with a high magnetic 
field, to create a similar field in another superconduc-
tor cylinder.
How it's done: When a superconducting cylinder 
containing a high magnetic field is available in the 
supercool environment of a helium Dewar system, a 
simple technique can be used to create a field almost 
as large in a second superconductor cylinder. The 
second cylinder must be slightly larger so that it will 
slip over and around the charged one.
CtlIIL hued Os erleal 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States Govern-
ment, nor NASA, nor any person acting on behalf of NASA: A. Makes 
any warranty or representation, express or implied, with respect to the 
accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of the information contained in
this document, or that the use of any information, apparatus, method, 
or process disclosed in this document may not infringe privately-owned 
rights; or B. Assumes any liabilities with respect to the use of, or for 
damages resulting from the use of, any information, apparatus, method, 
or process disclosed in this document.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19630000030 2020-03-11T16:46:17+00:00Z
The second cylinder must be first cooled to a tem-
perature just above the point where it becomes super-
conducting. Cooling to this temperature is essential 
in order to prevent the uncharged cylinder from heat-
ing the first cylinder when the two are later brought 
into close proximity. 
When the proper precooling temperature has been 
reached in the larger (second) cylinder and it is still in 
a non superconducting state, it is lowered into the 
helium Dewar system and fitted around the cylinder 
with the existing magnetic field. 
Now the larger cylinder is allowed to cool further 
until it becomes superconducting. Most of the mag-
netic flux lines will pass through and around the two 
cylinders. When the second cylinder is lifted upward, 
it will be found that it contains a magnetic field almost 
as large as the field trapped in the originally charged 
cylinder. Energy required for charging the second 
cylinder comes from the mechanical energy required 
to pull the two cylinders apart.
Notes: 
More than one cylinder or superconductor tube 
can be charged by this technique with little effect 
on the original magnetic field of the superconduc-
.tor tube. This charging process may be accom-
plished with superconducting material of any shape 
if the magnetic flux of the originally charged 
cylinder can be made to pass around the second 
piece when they are brought together. 
Enquiries concerning this innovation may be 
directed to: 
Technology Utilization Officer 
Jet Propulsion Laboratory 
4800 Oak Grove Drive 
Pasadena, California, 91103 
Reference: B63-10237 
Patent status: NASA encourages commercial use 
of this innovation. No patent action is contemplated. 
Source: Alvin F. Hildebrandt 
(J PL-376) 
Brief 63-10237	 Category No. 05


Supercold technique duplicates magnetic field in second superconductor

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