System and method for quench and over-current protection of superconductor

摘要

A system (20) and method for protecting a superconductor (12). The system (20) may comprise a current sensor (22) operable to detect a current flowing through the superconductor (12). The system (20) may comprise a coolant temperature sensor (24) operable to detect the temperature of a cryogenic coolant used to cool the superconductor (12) to a superconductive state. The control circuit (26) is operable to estimate the superconductor temperature based on the current flow and the coolant temperature. The system (20) may also be operable to compare the estimated superconductor temperature to at least one threshold temperature and to initiate a corrective action when the superconductor temperature exceeds the at least one threshold temperature.