Patent ID: 8007186
Filing Date: 2011-08-30
Classification: G02B,H01R,H02G,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A method of constructing a normal joint structure for connecting superconducting cables each having a cable core, a tubular member arranged along the cable core, and an optical fiber housed in the tubular member and arranged along the cable core, the tubular member being configured to have a structure such that the optical fiber housed therein can be in contact with a coolant that is filled inside the tubular member, the method including the steps of: pulling out an optical fiber from the end of each of two superconducting cables to be connected together and splicing the optical fibers thus pulled out; returning the excess length of the pulled-out optical fiber to a superconducting cable side by pulling or pushing-in upon the completion of splicing; connecting the cable cores; and storing the connected cable cores in a joint box formed so as to include a coolant vessel and a vacuum vessel, wherein after the joint box is formed, a space located between the coolant vessel and the vacuum vessel is evacuated so that a thermal insulation function is afforded to the vacuum vessel, wherein the joint box is equipped with a vacuum layer, and wherein a thermal insulation material is arranged between the coolant vessel and the vacuum vessel in addition to the evacuated space.