(19)

(11)

EP 1 019 920 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 19.07.2000 Bulletin 2000/29 (21) Application number: 98957311.8 (22) Date of filing: 30.09.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: H01B 12/02, B32B 15/04, B32B 18/00, C22C 9/00, C22C 9/06, C22C 19/03, C04B 35/622, B22F 1/00, B22F 3/18, B22F 7/02 (86) International application number: PCT/US9820/404 (87) International publication number: WO 9917/307 (08.04.1999 Gazette 1999/14)

(84) Designated Contracting States: DE ES FR GB IT NL SE (30) Priority: 01.10.1997 US 943047 (71) Applicant: AMERICAN SUPERCONDUCTOR CORPORATION Westborough, MA 01581 (US)	(72) Inventors: THIEME, Cornelis, Leo, Hans Westborough, MA 01581 (US) THOMPSON, Elliott, D. Coventry, RI 02816 (US) FRITZEMEIER, Leslie, G. Acton, MA 01720 (US) CAMERON, Robert, D. Franklin, MA 02038 (US) SIEGAL, Edward, J. Malden, MA 02148 (US) (74) Representative: Charig, Raymond Julian  Eric Potter Clarkson,Park View House,58 The Ropewalk Nottingham NG1 5DD Nottingham NG1 5DD (GB)