Development of a 50-60 Hz thermally switched superconducting rectifier

Abstract

Abstract-A full-wave thermally switched superconducting rectifier, able to operate directly from the mains at the 50-60 Hz frequency, has been developed in our institute. Typical design output values of this device are: current 300 A, voltage up to 1 V, average power up to 100 VA and an efficiency better than 95 %. The rectification is achieved by means of fast-response switches and an iron core transformer. A simple and reliable algorithm for the rectifier operation, based on the measured current change across the switches, is developed and tested while powering a small magnet. The new features of the rectifier presented allows for a simplification of the construction and a significant reduction of cost, mass and volume.