Evaluation of turbo-Brayton cycle for cooling current leads: Integrated current lead/heat exchanger

Abstract

In this paper we investigate the optimization of turbo-Brayton cycles for cooling current leads. Simple models of single stage conduction-cooled current leads, two-stage conduction cooled current lead and two stage conduction-cooled current leads coupled with a single stage and a double stage turbo-Brayton cycle have been used to provide understanding about the issues and the tradeoffs. In addition, we discuss the possibility of using the heat exchanger in the turbo-Brayton system as the current lead.