There is provided a rectifier of an alternating input current, which may comprise: an electrical switch comprising a length of HITS material to carry an alternating switch current, the HITS material having a critical current: a magnetic field generator to apply a magnetic field to the HTS material: a control mechanism to control the magnetic field generator to switch the switch between a low-resistance state when a magnitude of the magnetic field is relatively low and a higher-resistance state when a magnitude of the magnetic field is relatively high, the relatively high magnitude being sufficient to reduce the critical current so that, for a part of the alternating switch current cycle, the current approaches the critical current, is substantially equal to the critical current or is greater than the critical current. There is further provided an electrical switch having two strands of superconducting material arranged in a bifilar arrangement.

A winding body for a superconductive secondary winding for a superconductive current-limiting transformer includes a plurality of depressions and casing portions distributed around a circumference in the longitudinal direction; and grooves in the casing portions in the circumferential direction. The winding body is configured such that a superconductive conductor of the secondary winding can be wound around the winding body in a normal state such that the conductor rests against the casing portions and is received in the grooves. A gap can be formed between the conductor and each of the depressions.

A winding body for a superconductive secondary winding for a superconductive current-limiting transformer includes a plurality of depressions and casing portions distributed around a circumference in the longitudinal direction; and grooves in the casing portions in the circumferential direction. The winding body is configured such that a superconductive conductor of the secondary winding can be wound around the winding body in a normal state such that the conductor rests against the casing portions and is received in the grooves. A gap can be formed between the conductor and each of the depressions.

The present disclosure relates to transformers. Teachings thereof may be embodied in a transformation unit having a primary winding and a secondary winding. For example, a transformer may include: a first transformation unit with a primary winding and a secondary winding; and at least one high-temperature superconducting conductor in each of the two windings. Each of the two windings is wound around a first annular base structure common to both windings in a plurality of turns such that both of the two windings extend over a jointly-wrapped part of the circumferential extent of the annular base structure.

The present disclosure relates to transformers. Teachings thereof may be embodied in a transformation unit having a primary winding and a secondary winding. For example, a transformer may include: a first transformation unit with a primary winding and a secondary winding; and at least one high-temperature superconducting conductor in each of the two windings. Each of the two windings is wound around a first annular base structure common to both windings in a plurality of turns such that both of the two windings extend over a jointly-wrapped part of the circumferential extent of the annular base structure.

Provided is a low-weight, high-efficiency inductor design for use with or in electrical power equipment, such as inverters. A toroidal power inductor includes a support structure comprising an outer shell, an inner shell, and one or more coolant channels formed therebetween, a plurality of conductors wrapped around and supported by an exterior surface of the outer shell, and an interior cavity substantially enclosed by the inner shell of the toroidal support structure. The plurality of conductors are configured to provide an inductance for the toroidal power inductor, and the one or more coolant channels are distributed beneath the exterior surface of the outer shell to cool the plurality of conductors. An air-core power inductor may implement the conductors using high-temperature superconducting (HTS) tapes cooled by cryogenic fluid flowing within the coolant channels.