Patent ID: 6947265

Claim:
A matrix superconducting current limiter having a current limiting matrix, said current limiter comprising: a trigger matrix, wherein the trigger matrix and the current limiting matrix are electrically connected in series with one another, and are composed of components made of superconducting and non-superconducting electrically conductive materials; wherein the trigger matrix comprises n, n being ≧1, trigger elements arranged in a one column×n row matrix fashion where the n number of trigger elements are electrically connected in parallel with one another, each trigger element comprising at least one non inductively arranged superconducting component electrically connected in parallel with a plurality of non-superconducting components; wherein the current limiting matrix comprises m×n, with m being ≧1, current limiting elements arranged in a m column×n row matrix fashion where n number of current limiting elements are electrically connected in parallel with each other to form one current limiting module, and where m number of current limiting modules are electrically connected in series with one another, each current limiting element comprising at least one non-superconducting component; and wherein one of the components of the trigger matrix is a transformer having at least one primary and at least one secondary winding and having a transforming ratio of x:1, wherein the at least one primary winding is electrically connected in parallel to other components of the trigger matrix and wherein the at least one secondary winding of the transformer is electrically connected in parallel to at least one inductor, wherein the at least one inductor is magnetically coupled to at least one superconductive component in the current limiting matrix.