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US 2014O183875A1
(19) United States
(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2014/0183875 A1
Sines (43) Pub. Date: Jul. 3, 2014
(54) METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DIRECT (52) U.S. Cl.
ENERGY CONVERSION CPC. F03G 7700 (2013.01); H0IL39/16 (2013.01)
USPC ........................................... 290/1 R: 505/166
(71) Applicant: Eddie Sines, Manassas, VA (US) (57) ABSTRACT
(72) Inventor: Eddie Sines, Manassas, VA (US) A method and apparatus for direct energy conversion that
combines the properties of Type II superconductor thin films,
(21) Appl. No.: 14/151,722 including the Meissner effect to create vortices to control and
modulate static flux coupled in a magnetic circuit, where the
laws of induction are used to produce an electrical signal
(22) Filed: Jan. 9, 2014 without the use of moving armatures. The dynamics of mag
netic flux modulation results from Suppression of Supercon
Related U.S. Application Data ductivity and the Meissner effect by external photon irradia
tion. The apparatus employs a Vortex channel based on the
(63) Continuation-in-part of application No. 12/308,049, Meissner Effect, a laser, a permanent magnet, fiber optics for
filed on May 26, 2009, now abandoned. carrying the laser beam to the Vortex channel, and a trans
former composed of two separate windings. The transformer
Publication Classification windings are arranged in a circuit having a first path through
the permanent magnet and a first coil of the transformer
(51) Int. Cl. windings; and a second path through the permanent magnet,
F03G 7700 (2006.01) the vortex channel, and the second coil of the transfer wind
HOIL 39/6 (2006.01) ings.
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Patent Application Publication Jul. 3, 2014 Sheet 1 of 12 US 2014/0183875 A1
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Patent Application Publication Jul. 3 2014 Sheet 12 of 12 US 2014/0183875 A1
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METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DIRECT 0009 Flux lines: A magnet’s lines of force.
ENERGY CONVERSION 0010 Fluxoid (also known as flux line, fluxon, Vortex):
One of the microscopic filaments of magnetic flux that pen
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED etrates a Type II Superconductor in the mixed state, consisting
APPLICATIONS of a normal core in which the magnetic field is large, Sur
0001. The present patent application is a continuation-in rounded by a Superconducting region in which flows a Vortex
part of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/308,049, filed May 26, of persistent supercurrent which maintains the field in the
COC.
2009, which is based on, and claims priority from, U.S. pro 0011 Conventional Flux-Pinning: The phenomenon
visional Application No. 60/813,341, filed Jun. 14, 2006, where a magnetic flux become trapped or "pinned inside a
which is incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. current-carrying Type II Superconducting material in spite of
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION the Lorentz force acting to expel it from inside the Type II
Superconducting material. Flux pinning is only possible when
0002 1. Field of the Invention there are defects in the crystalline structure of the Supercon
0003. The present invention relates to a method and appa ductor (usually resulting from grain boundaries or impuri
ratus for direct energy conversion. More specifically, the ties).
invention relates to a method and apparatus for direct energy 0012 H: The “upper critical field' or maximum mag
conversion for converting the optical energy of an external netic field that a superconductor can endure before it is
photon beam into electricity by employing the unique prop “quenched' and returns to a non-Superconducting state. Usu
erties of Type II high temperature Superconductors. ally a higher T also brings a higher H.
0004 2. Related Art 0013 Meissner Effect: The exhibiting of diamagnetic
0005. The following definitions are used herein: properties to the total exclusion of all magnetic fields. The
0006 Atomic Force In the normal state of matter, elec Meissner Effect is a classic hallmark of superconductivity.
trons are kept apart by mutual repulsion based on their elec 0014 Quantum efficiency: In an optical source or detector,
trostatic and magnetic properties. In the case of Type II Super the ratio of the number of output quanta to the number of input
conductors, for example, YBCO, electrons that normally quanta.
repel one another experience an overwhelming attraction to 00.15 Quench: The phenomenon where superconductivity
link up and form Cooper pairs when the material drops below in a material is suppressed; usually by exceeding the maxi
its critical temperature, T. When these electrons form Coo mum current the material can conduct (J) or the maximum
per pairs, they take on the character of bosons, meaning that magnetic field it can withstand (H).
all the electrons have the same spin and energy level. Only I0016 T.: The critical transition temperature below, which
bosons can condense and occupy a ground State that has a a material begins to Superconduct.
lower total energy than that of the normal ground state. This 0017. Thin Film (Deposition): A process for fabricating
behavior Suggests that Cooper pairs are coupling over hun ceramic Superconductors to more precisely control the
dreds of nanometers, three orders of magnitude larger than growth of the crystalline structure to eliminate grain bound
the crystal lattice spacing. The effective net attraction aries and achieve a desired Tc. Two types of thin film depo
between the normally repulsive electrons produces binding sition are Pulsed-Laser Deposition (PLD) and Pulsed-Elec
energy on the order of milli-electron Volts, enough to keep tron Deposition (PED) of the material.
them paired at low temperatures. Electrons in the Cooper pair 0018 Vortices (plural of vortex): Swirling tubes of elec
state can be considered compressed because they are closer to trical current induced by an external magnetic field into the
each other than in the normal (non-Superconducting) state. In Surface of a Superconducting material that represent a topo
many ways, Cooper pair electrons are much like a mechanical logical singularity in the wave function. These are particu
spring under compression. The atomic force is defined as the larly evident in Type II superconductors during “mixed-state'
compressive force provided by millions of Cooper pairs in behavior when the Surface is just partially Superconducting.
this ground state. The available potential energy increases Superconductivity is completely suppressed within these vol
when electrons close their interaction distance. This potential cano-shaped structures. The movement of Vortices can pro
energy is released when the Cooper pair electrons absorb the duce a resistance and, as such, is undesirable. While Super
energy of photons and are forced to revert from their lower conductivity is a "macroscopic' phenomenon, Vortices are a
total energy ground state to the higher total energy normal “mesoscopic' phenomenon.
ground state. When this happens, the potential energy is 0019 YBCO: An acronym for a well-known ceramic
released in a fraction of a second, producing spontaneous Superconductor composed of Yttrium, Barium, Copper and
symmetry breaking (also known as Photon Cooper Pair Oxygen. YBCO was the first truly “high temperature'
Breaking). The cycle is repeated once the electron ejects a ceramic Superconductor discovered, having a transition tem
photon of a lower energy level and transitions back to the perature well above the boiling point of liquid nitrogen (a
lower total energy ground state. commonly available coolant). Its actual molecular formula is
0007 B: The magnetic field in which a superconductor is YBa-Cu-Oz, making it a "1-2-3 superconductor. YBCO
placed compounds exhibit d-wave electron pairing.
0008 Cooper pair: Two electrons that are bound together (0020 Superconductivity, discovered in 1911 by Heike
in accordance with the conventional Bardeen-Cooper-Schri Kamerlingh Onnes, is a phenomenon occurring in many elec
effer theory of superconductivity, despite the fact that they trical conductors at extremely low temperatures (on the order
both have a negative charge and normally repel each other. of-200° Celsius). In this phenomenon, the electrons respon
Below the Superconducting transition temperature T, paired sible for conduction undergo a collective transition into an
electrons form a condensate (a macroscopically occupied ordered State, an electronic fluid consisting of Cooper pairs.
single quantum state), which flows without resistance. Attractive force between electrons from the exchange ofPage 15
US 2014/0183875 A1 Jul. 3, 2014
phonons causes the pairing of electrons in Cooper pairs. As a 0025 Anisotropy effects are fundamental to superconduc
result of its ordered state, the Cooper pair fluid has many tivity. Just about all-crystalline Superconductors are in prin
unique and remarkable properties, including the vanishing of ciple expected to show some anisotropy effects. There are
resistance to the flow of electric current, the appearance of a several classes of materials with anisotropic Superconducting
large diamagnetism and other unusual magnetic effects, Sub properties, including the class of bulk anisotropic Supercon
stantial alteration of many thermal properties, and the occur ductors (for example, Some of the transition metals) and the
rence of quantum effects otherwise observable only at the class of superconducting thin films. When the thickness of a
atomic and Subatomic level. film is less than the coherence length, the Cooper pairs can
0021 One of the unusual magnetic effects exhibited by only interact with their neighbors in the plane of the film. In
superconductors is the Meissner (or Meissner-Ochsenfeld) this case, the film is commonly referred to as a two-dimen
Effect. Meissner and Ochsenfeld discovered that a metal sional Superconductor, because the Cooper pairs only interact
in two directions.
cooled into the Superconducting State in a moderate magnetic 0026 Lowering the effective dimensionality of a super
field expels the field from its interior. Superconductors are
defined as having “a state of perfect diamagnetism.” Perfect conductor from three to two dimensions has important and
diamagnetism implies that the Superconducting material does measurable consequences, deriving from the fact that the
not permit an externally applied magnetic field to penetrate length scale for Superconductivity in the direction perpen
into its interior. Effectively, Superconductors block magnetic dicular to the film is now the film thickness rather than the
fields by modifying the magnetic length path, which is known coherence length. Usually, layered Superconductors show 3D
as reluctance. anistropic Superconductivity like the bulk transition metals,
but sometimes they show 2D superconductivity like thin
0022. The exclusion of magnetic flux by a superconductor films, and sometimes they even show entirely new effects.
costs some magnetic energy. As long as this cost is less than 0027. Research indicates that when a superconductor is
the condensation energy gained by going from the normal to irradiated by a laser, the photons get absorbed by the Cooper
the Superconducting phase, the Superconductor will remain pairs and this leads to pair breaking. Under certain conditions,
completely Superconducting in an applied magnetic field. If a pair breaking avalanche may occur. Previously published
the applied field becomes too large, the cost in magnetic research findings show a high quantum pair-breaking effi
energy will outweigh the gain in condensation energy, and the ciency from photons.
superconductor will become partially or totally normal. The 0028. It is a well-known fact that permanent magnets pro
manner in which this occurs depends on the geometry and the duce a static flux that emanates off their end poles. Many
material of the Superconductor. The geometry that produces devices have been invented that use this static flux to produce
the simplest behavior is that of a very long cylinder with the electrical power we use today. Static flux is ideal for convert
magnetic field applied parallel to its axis. Two distinct types ing mechanical energy into electrical energy. The basic pro
of behavior may then occur, depending on the type of Super cess has not changed in 100 years. The most common method
conductor Type I or Type II. uses a moving armature that rotates inside windings, making
0023 Below a critical magnetic field H, which increases and breaking the magnetic circuit. As Faraday and Maxwell
as the temperature decreases below T, the magnetic flux is discovered, only then can the static flux be used to extract
excluded from a type I Superconductor, which is said to be energy. Faraday's law of induction (Equation 1) states that
perfectly diamagnetic. For a Type II Superconductor, there are there is a counter electromotive force generated in a coil of
two critical magnetic fields, the lower critical magnetic field wire when there is a difference in flux over time:
H and the upper critical magnetic field H. In applied
magnetic fields less than H, the Superconductor completely
excludes the magnetic field, just as a type I Superconductor did (Eq. 1)
does below H. At magnetic fields just above H, however,
flux begins to penetrate the Superconductor, not in a uniform
way, but as individual, isolated microscopic filaments called where the magnetic flux dBA cos 0, and where N is the
fluxoids or Vortices, each carrying one quantum of magnetic number of turns of the wire, B is the magnetic field, A is the
flux, hi?2e. In other words, high levels of static flux are also surface area of the coil, and 0 is the angle between Banda line
known to cause vortices in Type II superconductors. The flux drawn perpendicular to the face of the coil.
penetration is hindered by microscopic inhomogeneities that 0029. The minus sign signifies that the direction of the
pin (trap) vortices. As a result, a critical state is formed with induced EMF will be such that the magnetic field produced by
some gradient of flux density determined by the critical cur the induced EMF resists the change in magnetic flux. The
rent. presence of the minus sign is referred to as Lenz’s Law.
002.4 Vortices provide a means to modulate static flux 0030) If a device can produce a difference in the flux
because they produce a magnetic channel whereby the static density passing through a typical coil, then Faraday's law
flux moves unhindered, without losses from one point to a states there would be a counter electromotive force developed
second point. When a Type II Superconductor is placed in a across the windings. All of the present day devices that use
magnetic field B, where H.<B<H, and where H and H mechanical energy perform this one simple task. Regardless
are the lower and upper critical fields, respectively, the mag of the complexity, the device only makes and breaks the flux
netic vortices that penetrate the material should form a uni lines, thereby creating a difference in flux, causing the sec
form triangular lattice (Abrikosov Vortex lattice), with a lat ondary effect known as counter EMF.
tice spacing determined by the strength of B. If B is increased, SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
the Vortices become more closely spaced and their cores start
to overlap. At H the Vortex lattice and the Cooper pairing of 0031. It is a primary object of the present invention to
the electrons disappear and the material becomes normal. provide a method and apparatus for converting optical energyPage 16
US 2014/0183875 A1 Jul. 3, 2014 into electrical energy by modulating magnetic flux emanating and an insulating layer covering the Superconductor thin film. from the poles of permanent magnets. The vortex tubes are switchable between a superconducting 0032. It is another object of the present invention to pro state and a non-Superconducting state; and work together as a vide a device that will provide electrical energy to power any Vortex channel to guide static magnetic flux in one direction electrical load without producing any additional CO2 emis from one end of the vortex tubes to the other. sions. 0041. The photon wavelength emitted by the laser needs to 0033. It is still another object of the present invention to be tuned precisely to the point, where the Cooper pair break use Type II Superconductors in the conversion of optical ing processes are the most effective. Type II YBCO material energy into electrical energy. is known to have a very sharp resonance at 930 nm, at which 0034. It is still another object of the present invention to it will absorb photons at extremely high efficiencies, causing provide a method and apparatus for converting the energy of it to revert back to the non-Superconducting state. electromagnetic radiation into electrical energy by using Vor 0042. When the vortex channel is in the non-super con tex channels as a means of modulating the static magnetic flux ducting state, it acts as a ceramic or insulator having the of permanent magnets, whereby electricity is produced. permeability of air, flux is free to flow through the first path. 0035. It is still another object of the present invention to When the vortex channel is in the superconducting state, it provide a method and apparatus for producing an electrical guides flux quanta through the Vortex channel. The magnetic signal using the conventional law of induction, but without flux is held in a compressed closed loop, and flux flows the use of moving armatures. through the second path. 0036. It is still another object of the present invention to 0043 Photon Cooper breaking is used to toggle the Type II demonstrate different configurations of the direct energy con superconductor thin film (and thus the vortex channel) version apparatus using a single Vortex cylinder or a plurality between the Superconducting State and the non-Supercon of vortex cylinders. ducting State, thereby providing a time-varying magnetic 0037. These and other objects are achieved by a direct field enabling power to be extracted using traditional means. energy conversion generator that combines the known prop In effect, the vortex channel acts like an ideal inductor with erties of Type II superconductors, including the Meissner infinitely high permeability when it is fully Superconducting, Effect, to create vortices to control and modulate static flux shorting the flux to its far side (the second coil), allowing the coupled in a conventional magnetic circuit, where the laws of flux to move through what would otherwise be equivalent to induction are used to produce an electrical signal. This effect a massive air gap without loss due to flux leakage. When relies on the Lenz’s law (the external photon energy is con Cooperpair breaking takes place, the Vortex channel is forced Verted into an electric signal via Lenz’ law), but does not to Switch back into a (non-Superconducting) ceramic, effec require the use of moving armatures. The dynamics of mag tively adding a massive air gap into the magnetic loop and netic flux result from Suppression of Superconductivity and changing the reluctance of the magnetic circuit. Toggling the the Meissner effect by external photon irradiation. Vortex channel allows the direct energy conversion generator 0038. The direct energy conversion generator employs a to command passive conventional electrical components like vortex channel based on the Meissner Effect known to expel an inductor to become inert and take on the physical proper and pin a fixed magnetic field of a specific value emanating ties of air. from the poles of a permanent magnet. A laser, a permanent 0044) Other objects, features and advantages of the magnet with an axial channel coincident with the magnets present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art axis, fiber optics for carrying photons from the laser through upon a reading of this specification including the accompa the axial channel of the magnet to the Vortex channel, a nying drawings. diffusing mechanism between the permanent magnet and the BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Vortex channel for evenly expanding the photon beam to the diameter of the Vortex channel, and a transformer composed 0045. The invention is better understood by reading the of two separate windings. The diffusing mechanism can be a following Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodi thin diffusinglens or any other mechanism that can diffuse the ments with reference to the accompanying drawing figures, in incoming photons from the point source provided by the fiber which like reference numerals refer to like elements through optics into a larger area capable of covering the frontal Surface out, and in which: area of the vortex channel. The transformer windings are 0046 FIG. 1A is a schematic illustration of a direct energy arranged in a circuit having a first path through the permanent conversion generator in accordance with the present inven magnet and a first coil of the transformer windings; and a tion. second path through the permanent magnet, the Vortex chan 0047 FIG. 1B is a schematic illustration of the magnetic nel, and the second coil of the transfer windings. flux path or loop of the direct energy conversion generator of 0039. The vortex channel comprises a plurality of Vortex FIG. 1A when the vortex channel is in the non-superconduct tubes of circular cross-section arranged in abundle with their ing state. longitudinal axes parallel to each other. The cross-section of 0048 FIG. 1C is a schematic illustration of the magnetic the bundle can be any configuration, for example, approxi flux path or loop of the direct energy conversion generator of mately circular, approximately square, and approximately FIG. 1A when the vortex channel is in the superconducting rectangular, etc. The number of vortex tubes in the bundle is State. on the order of hundreds or thousands. 0049 FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the vortex chan 0040. The vortex tubes are glass or any appropriate mate nel of the direct energy conversion generator. rial tubes having an exterior surface (which includes the tube 0050 FIG. 2A is an enlarged, cross-sectional view of one ends), a first buffer layer covering the exterior surface, a of the vortex tubes of the vortex channel. second buffer layer covering the first buffer layer, a Type II 0051 FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration showing the man superconductor thin film covering the second buffer layer, ner in which static flux is compressed and twisted as it enters
Page 17
US 2014/0183875 A1 Jul. 3, 2014
the center of each vortex tube and is conducted into a very the vortex tubes 12 are switchable between a superconducting
high virtual permeability thread. state and a non-Superconducting state; and work together as a
0052 FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating how the vortex channel Vortex channel 10 to guide static magnetic flux in one direc
acts as a photon-activated Switch used to modulate the static tion from one end of the vortex tubes 12 to the other, with very
magnetic field of the permanent magnet of the direct energy low or no loss, or at least very low losses.
conversion generator. 0062. In an exemplary embodiment, the vortex channel 10
0053 FIG.5 is the cross-sectional view of the vortex chan is constructed of approximately 500 vortex tubes. Each tube
nel as shown in FIG. 2, illustrating the area of influence 12a has a maximum 0.0125-inch outside diameter and a
Surrounding the channel of the direct energy conversion gen 1.0-inch length. The first buffer layer 12c is a thin film coating
eratOr. ofYO stabilized with ZrO2. The second buffer layer 12d is
0054 FIG. 5A is the cross-sectional view of the vortex a thin film coating of cerium oxide (CeO). The Superconduc
tube of FIG. 2A, illustrating the area of influence surrounding tor thin film 12e is a thin film of YBCO. The insulating layer
the vortex tube. 12f is a very thin layer of Parylene.
0055 FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of the direct energy 0063 Type II superconductor thin film (YBCO) is depos
conversion generator in use as a source of electrical energy. ited over the second buffer layer 12d (CeO). The Type II
0056 FIG. 7 is a flow diagram showing the energy con Superconductor to make a vortex tube, the exterior Surface
version process carried out by the direct energy conversion 12b of the tube 12a must first be cleaned of SiO, for example
generator in accordance with the present invention. using an Excimer laser in a vacuum. The first buffer layer 12c
0057 FIGS. 8-10 show a two-vortex channels design con (a thin film coating of Y.O. stabilized with ZrO) keeps the
figuration and the magnetic flux paths during operation. tube material (Si) from migrating into the Type II Supercon
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
ductor thin film 12e (YBCO) and making it ineffective as a
Superconductor.
EMBODIMENTS
0064. To improve the crystal lattice interface between the
0058. In describing preferred embodiments of the present Type II superconductor thin film 12e (YBCO) and the first
invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology is buffer layer 12c (thin film coating of YO stabilized with
employed for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not ZrO), a second buffer layer 12d is required. Cerium oxide
intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, (CeO) is selected for the second buffer layer 12d because it
and it is to be understood that each specific element includes provides an ideal base for the deposit of the YBCO thin film.
all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to The second buffer layer 12d brings the error between the
accomplish a similar purpose. crystal lattice interface to ~0.5%. Next, a verythin film 12e of
0059. The present invention is a direct energy conversion the thin film 12e (YBCO) is deposited in a verythin layer over
generator 100 (shown in FIGS. 1A-1C) that combines the the first and second buffer layers 12c and 12d so as to cover
known properties of Type II Superconductors, including the the exterior surface 12b of the tube without defects.
Meissner Effect, to assist in the optical control of vortices to 0065. After the Type II superconductor thin film 12e
modulate static flux (indicated by the arrows F in FIGS. 1B (YBCO) is deposited, it is coated with a very thin layer of
and 1C). In the direct energy conversion generator, flux is Parylene, which is an electrical insulator that is capable of
coupled in a conventional magnetic circuit as described in coating the Type II superconductor thin film 12e (YBCO) one
greater detail hereinafter, where the laws of induction are molecule at a time without gaps, to electrically isolate the
used to produce an electrical potential. The production of this Vortex tubes 12 from each other, making the Vortex generated
electrical energy does not require the use of moving arma within each vortex tube 12 operate independently of the Vor
tures. tices generated in the other Vortex tubes 12, neutralizing the
0060 Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 2A, the direct energy Lorentz force, and locking each vortex tube 12 to a fixed
conversion generator 100 employs a vortex channel 10 based position within the vortex channel 10 so that each vortex tube
on the Meissner Effect known to expel and pin a fixed mag 12 works independent of its neighbor.
netic field of a specific value emanating from the poles of a 0.066 Referring again to FIGS. 1A-1C, in addition to the
permanent magnet or an electromagnet. The Vortex channel vortex channel, the direct energy conversion generator 100
10 comprises a plurality of vortex tubes 12 of circular cross includes a laser 20, a permanent magnet or electromagnet 30
section arranged in a bundle with their longitudinal axes (preferably cylindrical) with an axial channel 32 coincident
parallel to each other. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the bundle has with the magnet’s axis, fiber optics 40 for carrying photons
an approximately circular cross-section (a circle C is Super from the laser 20 through the axial channel 32 of the magnet
imposed on the cross-section of the vortex channel 10 for the or electromagnet 30 to the Vortex channel, a diffusing mecha
purpose of illustrating its approximately circular shape). nism 50 between the permanent magnet or electromagnet 30
However, the cross-section need not be approximately circu and the vortex channel 10 for evenly expanding the photon
lar, but can be any configuration, for example, approximately beam to the diameter of the vortex channel 10, and a trans
square, approximately rectangular, etc. The number of Vortex former composed of two separate windings. The diffusing
tubes 12 in the bundle is on the order of hundreds or thou mechanism 50 can be a thin diffusinglens or any other mecha
sands. nism that can diffuse the incoming photons from the point
0061. As shown in FIG. 2A, the vortex tubes 12 are tubes source provided by the fiber optics 40 into a larger area
12a having an exterior surface 12b (which includes the tube capable of covering the frontal surface area of the vortex
ends), a first buffer layer 12c covering the exterior surface channel 10. The permanent magnet or electromagnet 30, the
12b, a second buffer layer 12d covering the first buffer layer, vortex channel 10, and the transfer windings make up the rest
a Type II Superconductor thin film 12e covering the second of the circuit.
buffer layer, and an insulating layer 12f covering the Super 0067. The transformer windings are arranged in a circuit
conductor thin film. As discussed in greater detail hereinafter, having a first path A (shown in FIG. 1B) through the permaPage 18
US 2014/0183875 A1 Jul. 3, 2014
nent magnet or electromagnet 30 and a first coil A of the density than would otherwise be possible, because the static
transformer windings; and a second path B (shown in FIG. flux does not come into direct contact with the Superconduct
1C) through the permanent magnet or electromagnet 30, the ing thin film.
Vortex channel 10, and the second coil B of the transfer 0074. In the normal (that is, the non-superconducting)
windings. When the amount of magnetic flux flowing through state, the vortex channel 10 does not affect the magnetic path,
the transformer windings changes due to modulation of the because the vortex channel 10 (and more specifically, the
magnetic flux by the Vortex channel, electricity is produced. superconductor thin film 12e that coats the vortex tubes 12) is
This electricity can be used to power a load 60, for example, just a non-Superconducting ceramic, with no known magnetic
a light bulb. properties of any kind. Static flux emanating off the South
0068. The photons emitted by the laser 20 must have a pole of the permanent magnet or electromagnet 30 is coupled
wavelength that will be easily absorbed by the Cooper pairs in or linked to the magnetic path provided by the inductorin path
the Type II Superconductor thin film and Suppress Supercon A and returned to the north pole by the magnetic path pro
ductivity. vided by the inductor loop completing the magnetic loop.
0069. Thus, in the exemplary embodiment in which the 0075. In addition, the atomic forces found in the crystal
Type II superconductor thin film 12e is YBCO, the laser 20 lattice structure of the Type II superconductor thin film 12e
has a wavelength and with a power output selected to achieve play a role in pinning the static flux. These forces are applied
maximum electron-photon conversion efficiency. The trans evenly around the circumference of each vortex tube 12 along
former conventionally includes a ferromagnetic core (for its entire length, analogous to the manner in which a magnetic
example, Soft ferrites) and windings made of a conductive field is evenly distributed around the circumference of a wire
material like copper wire or a Superconductive wire. along its entire length when current is flowing through that
wire. Each vortex tube 12 acts independently, pulling flux
0070. As shown in FIG. 3, static flux is compressed and quanta into its center. The area of influence is much greater
twisted as it enters the center of each Vortex tube 12 and is than the frontal area of each Vortex tube, as shown in FIGS. 5
conducted into a very high virtual permeability thread where and 5A. More energy is required for magnetic flux to take a
it is maintained at a distance from the outside Surface of the path outside of this area of influence of the vortex tube 12 than
Vortex tube 12. Reflection of the static flux induces a thin to take a path within the area of influence. Only the longitu
sheet of current, so that the current sheet acts like a moving dinal axis A, the Vortex tube 12 represents the lowest energy
mirror reflecting back the magnetic flux with the same polar path or the preferred path.
ity and force with which it was received. The thin sheet of 0076. By combining many man made Vortex tubes 12
current covers the circumference of the vortex tubes 12 along togetheran artificial or virtual high permeability Vortex chan
their full lengths, compressing the static flux over the full nel 10 is defined. A disk of virtual high permeability rotates at
lengths of the vortex tubes 12 and thus over the full length of the front or upstream end of each vortex tube 12. This virtual
the vortex channel 10. high permeability increases radially in an inward direction
0071. When the vortex channel 10 is in the non-super from the circumference to the longitudinal axis of each vortex
conducting state (FIG. 1B), it acts as a ceramic or insulator tube 12, providing an ever-increasing pinning force that
having the permeability of air, static flux is free to flow induces the flux quanta to flow towards the longitudinal axis
through path A. When the vortex channel 10 is in the super of each vortex tube 12 and away from its outer surface.
conducting state (FIG. 1C), it guides static flux quanta 0077. This pinning is only possible because the Type II
through the Vortex channel 10, which is a low energy mag Superconducting material resists the penetration of the static
netic circuit for the purpose of generating electrical energy. flux emanating off the surface of one of the poles of the
The static magnetic flux is held in a compressed closed loop, permanent magnet. This static flux bias causes the Type II
and static flux flows through path B. Superconductor to develop a counter force.
0078. A process known as “photon Cooper breaking” is
0072 Each vortex tube 12 can only handle a given amount used to toggle the Type II superconductor thin film 12e
of static flux before it will saturate. The Vortex channel 10 between the Superconducting State and the non-Supercon
therefore must be made up of enough vortex tubes 12 to ducting State, thereby providing a time-varying magnetic
spread out the static flux by passing it through their open field enabling power to be extracted using traditional means.
centers away from the Type II superconductor thin film when In effect, the vortex channel 10 acts like an ideal inductor with
the Type II superconductor thin film 12e is in its supercon infinitely high permeability when it is fully Superconducting,
ducting state. The Vortex channel, while in its Superconduct shorting the static flux to its far side (coil B), allowing the
ing state, produces a Super high virtual permeability state, as static flux to move through what would otherwise be equiva
a result, provides a new low energy path for the static flux to lent to a massive air gap without loss due to flux leakage.
flow through. The higher the permeability, the less energy it When Cooperpair breaking takes place, the vortex channel 10
takes for the static flux to flow. Static flux always takes the is forced to Switch back into a (non-Superconducting)
path of least resistance, i.e., lowest energy path. ceramic, effectively adding a massive air gap into the mag
0073 FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating how the vortex channel netic loop and changing the reluctance of the magnetic cir
10 acts as a photon activated magnetic Switch to modulate the cuit. It is noted that when the YBCO thin film is in the
magnetic field of the permanent magnet or electromagnet 30 Superconducting state it is a perfect diamagnetic material,
of the direct energy conversion generator 100. When the Type rather than a ceramic. Toggling the Vortex channel 10 allows
II Superconductor thin film 12e is in its Superconducting state, the direct energy conversion generator 100 to command pas
the combination of the Meissner Effect and the atomic elastic sive conventional electrical components like an inductor to
forces between the electrons and the static flux results in flux become inert and take on the physical properties of air.
pinning at the center of the Vortex tubes. The direct energy 0079. When a photon of the correct energy leveland wave
conversion generator 100 can operate at much higher flux length is shot into the Type II Superconductor, the photon isPage 19
US 2014/0183875 A1 Jul. 3, 2014
absorbed by one of the electrons forming the Cooper pair. 0094 FIG. 8 shows the configuration of a two-vortex
This infusion of photon energy causes the Cooper pair to channels system. The operation of this two-vortex channels
break apart, and Superconductivity is Suppressed. configuration is very similar to the operation of the single
0080. The vortex channel 10 exhibits a very large perme vortex channel configuration as shown in FIGS. 1A-1C. In the
ability shift at its upstream end, and thus can be used to two-vortex channels configuration, there are two Vortex cyl
modulate the static flux. Once the additional energy from the inders and two channel magnetic paths A and B, generating
photons is introduced into the device, the static flux emanat twice the total magnetic flux of the permanent magnet than a
ing from the poles of the permanent magnet or electromagnet single Vortex channel configuration. The two-vortex channels
30 can be re-directed so it can be modulate through transfer design also allows for better dynamic timing between channel
coils, producing conventional electrical energy. magnetic paths A and B, allowing for more efficient laser
0081. When the source of photons (that is, the laser 20) is control due to a “Dead Time’. The “Dead Time’ is the time
turned off, the electrons equilibrate and drop back into Coo period between the turn-off and turn-on of solid-state laser
per pairs, giving rise to the Superconducting state. channels A and B. In other words, when one vortex channel is
0082. As shown in FIG. 6, the direct energy conversion turned off, the other channel will be turned on. The two
generator 100 requires for its operation a cryogenic liquid 200 vortex channels design is equivalent to a Switch Mode Power
to maintain the Type II superconductor thin film 12e below its Supply (SMPS) design topology known as the Full-Bridge or
transition temperature T and thus maintain its superconduct Push-Pull design, but with improved switching efficiency.
ing state, as well as a Dewar vessel 250 for containing the (0095 Referring to FIG. 9, in the case of the two-vortex
cryogenic liquid 200, control circuit 300 for executing control channels design, magnetic flux from the permanent magnet
logic, and a battery 400 or other power source to provide will be toggled into the Vortex channel magnetic path. A when
power to the laser 20 and control circuit 300. it is in the superconductor state. Magnetic flux will flow
0083. The control circuit 300 is designed to provide pulse through coil A during this time. Once the Channel A solid
width modulation (PWM) of the laser output and to regulate state laser fires, injecting the photons into the magnetic path A
the output of the direct energy conversion generator 100 for a through the optical lens, the Vortex cylinder in magnetic path
given load. The technology of such control circuits 300 is well A will return back to its normal off state. A short delay time
developed, and the design and construction of Such a control period, called the “Dead Time', is added to the cycle in this
circuit 300 is well within the ordinary skill in the art. two-vortex channel configuration. During this time, magnetic
0084 Any cryogenic liquid capable of maintaining the flux will be toggled into the vortex channel magnetic path B
Superconductor below its transition temperature can be used; as it is still in the superconductive state, as shown in FIG. 10.
but liquid nitrogen (“LN') is preferred because it is the most After this time period has expired, the Channel B solid-state
practical and will have the lowest cost of operations. laser will fire photons into the optical lens, terminating the
I0085 Operational heat losses evaporate the LN,200 using Superconductive state of channel B, returning it to its normal
the known process of “Latent Heat of Vaporization' (in which off state. Then the cycle repeats according to the appropriate
the state of a cryogenic liquid is changed from a liquid to a switching control circuitry. The main difference between the
gas). The LN 200 boils off as a gas due to waste heat manu single Vortex channel configuration and the two-vortex chan
factured from the production of electrical energy and evapo nels configuration is the addition of dead time and the bal
rates into the open space or atmosphere, where it is dispersed anced magnetic paths A and B, operating in a double-ended
without adverse ecological effects because nitrogen gas rep push-pull manner.
resents approximately 78% of our present atmosphere. Once 0096. In this two-vortex configuration, both channel mag
all the cryogenic liquid has changed to a gas state, the elec netic paths A and B have equal length, providing full symme
trical generating process or cycle ends. try to the output wave form. This two-vortex design can be
I0086. In effect, the direct energy conversion generator 100 configured to provide both AC and DC power. For example, it
is solid state, having no moving parts. can produce low frequency AC power by mimicking the fre
I0087. With reference to FIG. 7, the energy conversion quency waveform of a 60 HZ power source without any phase
error or distortion.
process carried out by the direct energy conversion generator
100 includes the following steps: 0097. The magnetic lamination attached to the permanent
0088 Step 1—a power source 400 (for example, a small magnet pole provides additional Surface area to accommo
battery) powers a small laser 20 to initiate a photon stream date more permanent magnets, increasing the output power of
into the fiber optics 40: the device. The dispersion optics used in this invention is an
I0089 Step 2 the diffusing lens 50 evenly distributes the optical wave guide design, allowing the photons from the
laser to enter the vortex channels. The outer surface of the
photons into the Vortex channel, which is in the Superconduct dispersion optics is coated with a silver or aluminum mirror
ing state, so that the photons interact with the electrons in the like Surface on all sides, bouncing off the photons to the
Type II superconductor thin film 12e arranged in Cooper internal surface. The optics uncoated side, which is the side
pairs; attached to the Vortex cylinder end, is not coated, allowing the
0090 Step 3—the photons break up the Cooper pairs and photons to pass in this direction and interact with the Vortex
Suppress Superconductivity and the Meissner effect; cylinder ends. This design allows for a cheaper fiber optic
0091 Step 4 magnetic flux flowing through the vortex interface with enhanced performance.
tubes 12 is shunted, forced to find an alternate route to return; 0098. Further, any conventional SMPS configurations, or
0092 Step 5 the change in magnetic flux produces elec control schemes, such as, frequency-modulation, pulse-width
trical current in the transfer windings; and modulation, etc. can be readily adapted by this invention. The
0093 Step 6—the process continues until the LN com two-vortex cylinder design allows for the use of standard
pletely evaporates and the vortex channel 10 returns to the SMPS integrated circuits, thereby reducing the cost of custom
non-Superconducting state. design of a special driver chip. This also means that otherPage 20
US 2014/0183875 A1 Jul. 3, 2014
well-known Sophisticated resonant power chips and laser 8. A direct energy conversion electric generator compris
driver circuit can be utilized as well. ing:
0099. Other modifications and variations of the above means for producing a static magnetic flux;
described embodiments of the present invention are possible, a channel made at least in part from a Type II Supercon
as appreciated by those skilled in the art in light of the above ducting material; wherein
teachings. It is therefore to be understood that, within the said channel channels the static magnetic flux when the
Scope of the appended claims and their equivalents, the inven Type II Superconducting material is in a Superconduct
tion may be practiced otherwise than as specifically
described. ing state and acts as an insulator preventing the flow of
What is claimed is: said static magnetic flux when the Type II Superconduct
1. A direct energy conversion generator comprising: ing material is in a non-Superconducting state;
at least one magnetic circuit having static magnetic flux toggling means for selectively toggling said channel
connected to a first inductor having a first magnetic path; between its Superconducting and non-Superconducting
at least one Vortex channel having a first state and a second states by introducing at least one of heat, photons, RF
state, connected to the first inductor, energy, magnetic energy and electrical current into the
toggling circuit connected to at least one solid-state laser; Superconducting material;
the solid-state laser is connected to the vortex channel a power source for providing power to said toggling means;
through an optical device; and and
a first coil connected to the first inductor to produce electric electric current-producing means for producing electric
current; wherein current from the change of flow of the static magnetic
the static magnetic flux is being modulated by toggling the flux through said channel.
Vortex channel into the first and second states. 9. The direct energy conversion generator of claim 10,
2. The direct energy conversion generator of claim 1, wherein
wherein
the magnetic circuit is a permanent magnet; said toggling means modulates Vortices in the Type II
the first state acts like an ideal inductor with infinite per Superconducting material when in said Superconducting
meability, and the second state acts like an insulator state by introducing excitation photons of a relatively
having the permeability of air, constant energy and wavelength.
3. The direct energy conversion generator of claim 2, 10. The direct energy conversion generator of claim 10,
wherein wherein
the first state of the Vortex channel is in a Superconducting said electric current-producing means includes one of a
state and the second state is in a non-Superconducting coil and a loop, wherein said toggling means forces the
State. Type II Superconducting material to revert to a non
4. The direct energy conversion generator of claim 3, Superconducting state in a given time period for modu
wherein lating the static magnetic flux to produce a counter EMF
the toggling circuit uses photon Cooper breaking to toggle in the coil or single loop from which an electrical current
the Vortex channel from the Superconducting state to the is produced.
non-Superconducting state. 11. The direct energy conversion generator of claim 10,
5. The direct energy conversion generator of claim 4. wherein
wherein when the Type II Superconducting material is in said Super
the vortex channel comprises a plurality of Vortex tubes of conducting state, rotating Cooper pairs around the exte
a specific cross-section arranged in a bundle with their rior Surface of said channel create a large pinning force
longitudinal axes parallel to each other, wherein each of along the longitudinal axis of said channel, pinning flux
the Vortex tubes is a tube having a plurality of coating quanta at the center of said longitudinal axis.
layers over its exterior Surface, and 12. The direct energy conversion generator of claim 10,
one of the layers is a Type II superconductor thin film. wherein
6. The direct energy conversion generator of claim 5. said channel comprises a plurality of Vortex tubes of spe
wherein
the plurality of coating layers has four layers, wherein the cific cross-section arranged in a bundle with their longi
first layer is a first buffer layer covering the exterior tudinal axes parallel to each other, wherein each of said
surface, the second layer is a second buffer layer cover Vortex tubes is a tube having a multiple-layer coating
ing the first buffer layer, the third layer is the Type II over its exterior surface, and wherein one of the layers is
superconductor thin film and covers the second buffer a Type II superconductor thin film.
layer, and the fourth layer is an insulating layer covering 13. The direct energy conversion generator of claim 14,
the superconductor thin film. wherein
7. The direct energy conversion generator of claim 1, fur said multiple-layer coating has four layers, wherein the
ther comprising: first layer is a first buffer layer covering the exterior
first and second Vortex channels; surface, the second layer is a second buffer layer cover
second inductor having a second magnetic path; and ing the first buffer layer, the third layer is the Type II
a second coil connected to the second inductor to produce superconductor thin film and covers the second buffer
current; wherein layer, and the fourth layer is an insulating layer covering
the first and second states of the first and second vortex the Superconductor thin film.
channels are modulated by the toggling circuit with a 14. The direct energy conversion generator of claim 15,
dead-time period between states. whereinPage 21
US 2014/0183875 A1 Jul. 3, 2014
the toggling means utilizes photons to force Cooper pairs static magnetic field and said channel for evenly expand
in the type II Superconducting material to break up, ing said photon beam to the cross-section of said chan
causing the channel to act as a Solid state variable mag nel.
netic air gap. 17. The direct energy conversion generator of claim 10,
15. The direct energy conversion generator of claim 1, wherein
wherein said channel is effectively an inductor, said toggling means
said toggling means introduces a photon beam into the introduces photons to force Cooper pairs in the type II
Superconducting material and wherein the direct energy Superconducting material to break up, Switching said
conversion generator further comprises a diffusing channel into said non-Superconducting state, wherein
mechanism between said magnet means and said Vortex said inductor effectively takes on the physical property
channel means for evenly expanding the photon beam to of air.
the diameter of said Vortex channel means.
16. The direct energy conversion generator of claim 10, 18. The direct energy conversion generator of claim 14,
wherein
wherein
said toggling means introduces a photon beam into said said channel reflects back said magnetic flux, allowing the
Type II Superconducting material and wherein the direct flux quanta to be pinned at the center of the longitudinal
axis of said vortex tubes.
energy conversion generator further comprises a diffus
ing mechanism between said means for producing a k k k k kSource notes & attribution
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