CREARE LLC — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: N121-049

Description

A method is needed to rapidly and reliably make low-resistance connections between high-temperature superconducting (HTS) tapes. These tapes are used in cables for Navy degaussing and power distribution systems. Superconducting cables are smaller, lighter, and more efficient than the copper cables used in legacy systems. However, there is no simple method for making tape connections in the field, and current installations rely on expensive factory-fitted connectors that fix the length of the delivered cable and provide no opportunity for adjusting the cable length during installation. Furthermore, if damaged, the cables must be replaced rather than repaired on-site. Creare proposes a tape connection system (TCS) that can be used to quickly and easily make connections between HTS tapes by operators with minimal training. Our goal is to be able to complete a connection between two tapes in less than two minutes, with a connection resistance of less than 0.2 micro-ohms. In Phase I, we will demonstrate the feasibility of our concept by optimizing critical aspects of our connection system and by fabricating and testing a prototype. In Phase II, we will complete further design, build, and test iterations resulting in a production-ready system.