Conceptual design and simulation of a thermal matrix-type SFCL

Abstract

Simultaneous quench is a prerequisite to achieving high-rated voltage and current of superconducting fault current limiters (SFCLs) based on superconducting thin films. In this article, we proposed the T-MSFCLs, i.e., the matrix-type SFCLs (MSFCLs) with thermal-assisted simultaneous quenches, to mitigate hotspot and dielectric breakdown problems. We presented the typology of the non-isolated and the isolated T-MSFCLs and developed the computational model for evaluating their quench performances. The short-circuit simulation results has demonstrated that the quench propagation between SFCL elements is easy to establish and self-sustain in the non-isolated and the isolated T-MSFCLs due to an electric-thermal coupling. The effects of $J_c$ distribution and shunt layers on quench properties were mainly studied. We have found the T-MSFCLs always produce global quench despite with poor global uniformity $\Delta J_c/J_c $. The quench activation, quench development and the current-limiting properties of T-MSFCL are relevant to the parameter of shunt layers and the weakest SFCL element. And the design parameters of shunt layers are the mainly decisive conditions for the maximum tolerance voltage and the maximum response rate of T-MSFCL. By generalizing the findings, the method of capacity design of T-MSFCL was presented.