Piezoelectrically controlled superconducting switch

• US 5,608,282 A
• Filed: 04/19/1995
• Issued: 03/04/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The United States of America As Represented By The Secretary of Agriculture
• Original Assignee: The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army
• Inventors: Potenziani, Ernest II, Tidrow, Steven C., Eckart, Donald W., Wilber, William D., Tauber, Arthur
• Primary Examiner(s): Budd, Mark O.
• Application Number:
  US08/425,947
• Time in Patent Office: 685 Days
• Field of Search: 310/311, 310/328, 310/330, 310/317
• US Class Current: 505/211
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 60/84 Switching means for devices switchable between superconducting and normal states

Abstract

A piezoelectrically controlled superconducting switch is provided for use in superconducting devices and piezoelectric devices. This switch includes a substrate, a superconductor which is bonded to the substrate, and a piezoelectric subassembly which has a load applicator and voltage source for straining the superconductor and for changing its superconductor curve of resistivity versus temperature.

Claims

1. A piezoelectrically controlled superconducting switch comprising:

a substrate;

a superconductor which is bonded to the substrate; and

a piezoelectric subassembly for straining a portion of the superconductor between a normal unstrained condition and an induced strained condition;

said piezoelectric subassembly having a load-applying means for causing strain in the superconductor portion, wherein the load applying means includes a piezoelectric transducer for applying a bending moment to the superconductor and the substrate, and including a first support arm and a second support arm spaced apart and extending from a base plate for holding the substrate at opposite edges thereof and for positioning the piezoelectric transducer.

2. The switch of claim 1, wherein the load applying means is a transverse piezoelectric film which is disposed transverse to superconductor portion and which is bonded thereto.

3. The switch of claim 1, wherein the load applying means is a longitudinal piezoelectric film which is disposed parallel to the superconductor portion and which is bonded thereto.

4. The switch of claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric subassembly has a bias voltage unit which has a first lead and a second lead for energizing the load applying means, and wherein the load applying means has a first metal contact and a second metal contact each connecting to one of the leads.

5. The switch of claim 1, wherein the substrate is made of a piezoelectric material and has opposite sides for connection to opposite leads of a bias voltage unit.