Analytical method for determining critical energies of uncooled superconductors based on the hyperbolic model of heat conduction

The paper presents an analytical method for calculation of critical energies of uncooled composite superconductors based on the hyperbolic equation of heat conduction. The mathematical model developed takes into account: the finite speed of heat transport, the temperature dependence of the ohmic heat generation, the finite duration and the finite length of thermal disturbances. The thermophysical parameters of the conductor are assumed constant. Critical energies are determined by the analysis of variation of the maximum temperature in the normal zone with time. The results obtained are compared with those predicted by the related model based on the classical parabolic equation of heat conduction. The differences are not large but they can be substantial especially in the case of high current density devices. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.