Patent ID: 6043731
Filing Date: 2000-03-28
Classification: H01F,H01L,H02H,Y02E,Y10S

Abstract:
A current limiting device comprising: an electrical superconductor made of material having a critical current density which varies with an applied magnetic field;magnetic field generating means for generating and applying, during normal operation wherein said semiconductor is in a superconducting condition having load current carried therethrough, a magnetic field to said superconductor causing the critical density to be less than a maximum critical current density; andcontrol means for adjusting the critical current density such that after the load current carried by the superconductor exceeds the critical current density, so that the superconductor transforms to a resistive state, the control means increases the critical current density whereby the superconductor returns to the superconducting condition without terminating the flow of the load current through the superconductor.