Cryogenic Container, Superconductivity Magnetic Energy Storage (SMES) System, And Method For Shielding A Cryogenic Fluid

Abstract

A cryogenic container includes an inner vessel for containing a cryogenic fluid, and an outer vessel for insulating the cryogenic fluid from the environment. The inner vessel includes a superconductive layer formed of a material having superconducting properties at the temperature of the cryogenic fluid. The superconductive layer forms a magnetic field around the cryogenic container, that repels electromagnetic energy, including thermal energy from the environment, keeping the cryogenic fluid at low temperatures. The cryogenic container has a portability and a volume that permits its' use in applications from handheld electronics to vehicles such as alternative fueled vehicles (AFVs). A SMES storage system includes the cryogenic container, and a SMES magnet suspended within the cryogenic fluid. The SMES storage system can also include a recharger and a cryocooler configured to recharge the cryogenic container with the cryogenic fluid.

1 . A cryogenic container comprising: 
 an inner vessel configured to contain a cryogenic fluid at a selected temperature range;    an outer vessel surrounding the inner vessel; and    a material lining a surface of the inner vessel having superconducting properties at the selected temperature range configured to shield the cryogenic fluid in the inner vessel from thermal energy transmitted through the inner vessel.    
   
   
       2 . The cryogenic container of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a recharger configured to inject a compressed cryogenic gas into the inner vessel for recharging the cryogenic fluid; and    a cryocooler configured to supply the recharger with a fluid.    
   
   
       3 . The cryogenic container of  claim 2  wherein the fluid comprises hydrogen.  
   
   
       4 . The cryogenic container of  claim 2  wherein the fluid comprises supercritical hydrogen.  
   
   
       5 . The cryogenic container of  claim 1  wherein the inner vessel is configured to contain a volume of from 10 cc (cubic centimeters) to 1 m 3  (cubic meters) of the cryogenic fluid.  
   
   
       6 . The cryogenic container of  claim 1  wherein the material comprises a low temperature superconductor.  
   
   
       7 . A cryogenic container comprising: 
 an inner vessel configured to contain a cryogenic fluid at a selected temperature range;    an outer vessel surrounding the inner vessel forming an annulus between the inner vessel and the outer vessel; and    a layer on the inner vessel comprising a material having superconducting properties at the selected temperature range configured to shield the cryogenic fluid in the inner vessel from thermal energy and infrared radiation transmitted through the inner vessel to the cryogenic fluid.    
   
   
       8 . The container of  claim 7  wherein the layer substantially covers an outer surface of the inner vessel.  
   
   
       9 . The container of  claim 7  wherein the layer substantially covers an inner surface of the inner vessel.  
   
   
       10 . The container of  claim 7  wherein the inner vessel is adapted to contain a volume of from 10 cc (cubic centimeters) to 1 m 3  (cubic meters) of the cryogenic fluid.  
   
   
       11 . The container of  claim 7  wherein the annulus contains a thermal insulation and a vacuum.  
   
   
       12 . The container of  claim 7  wherein the material comprises a low temperature superconductor.  
   
   
       13 . The container of  claim 7  wherein the material comprises a compound selected from the group consisting of magnesium diboride, a niobium alloy, a copper oxide, a BCS superconductor, a rare earth copper oxide (RECuOx), a carbon material, or a ceramic material.  
   
   
       14 . The container of  claim 7  wherein the material comprises magnesium diboride.  
   
   
       15 . A system for storing electrical energy comprising: 
 an inner vessel configured to contain a cryogenic fluid at a selected temperature range;    an outer vessel surrounding the inner vessel forming an annulus between the inner vessel and the outer vessel;    a material on the inner vessel having superconducting properties at the selected temperature range configured to shield the cryogenic fluid in the inner vessel from thermal energy transmitted through the inner vessel;    a superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) magnet in the inner vessel configured to store the electrical energy; and    a control circuitry configured to either input or extract the electrical energy from the (SMES) magnet.    
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 15  further comprising a recharger configured to inject a compressed cryogenic gas into the inner vessel for recharging the cryogenic fluid.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16  further comprising a cryocooler configured to supply the recharger with a fluid.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the fluid comprises a supercritical fluid.  
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the fluid comprises supercritical hydrogen.  
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the material is not permanently attached to the inner vessel.  
   
   
       21 . A method for shielding a cryogenic fluid comprising: 
 providing a cryogenic container comprising an outer vessel, and an inner vessel adapted to contain the cryogenic fluid at a selected temperature range;    providing a material on the inner vessel having superconductive properties at the selected temperature range configured to shield the cryogenic fluid in the inner vessel from electromagnetic energy transmitted through the inner vessel; and    shielding the cryogenic fluid from the electromagnetic energy using the material.    
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the material substantially covers an outer surface of the inner vessel.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the material substantially covers an inner surface of the inner vessel.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the cryogenic container includes an annulus and the annulus contains a thermal insulating material and a vacuum.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the cryogenic container includes an annulus and the annulus contains a thermal insulating material.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the material comprises magnesium diboride.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the material comprises a compound selected from the group consisting of magnesium diboride, a niobium alloy, a copper oxide, a BCS superconductor, a rare earth copper oxide (RECuOx), a carbon material, or a ceramic material.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the inner vessel is configured to contain a volume of from 10 cc (cubic centimeters) to 1 m 3  (cubic meters) of the cryogenic fluid.