Automatic plug-in current lead device for superconducting magnet

Abstract

This invention provides an automatic insertion and removal current lead device for superconducting magnet excitation, installed on an external room temperature container. It comprises: a conductive rod, a first compression-sealing tube, and a second compression-sealing tube. The room temperature container has a through hole through which the conductive rod passes. The first compression-sealing tube is fitted onto the upper part of the conductive rod; its lower end is sealed to the through hole, and its upper end is connected to the conductive rod, driving the conductive rod to move up and down. The second compression-sealing tube is fitted onto the lower part of the conductive rod; its upper end is sealed to the through hole, and its lower end is sealed to the conductive rod. This invention provides an automatic insertion and removal current lead device for superconducting magnet excitation, enabling automatic insertion and removal, and offering advantages such as high safety performance, high electrode docking accuracy, and stable electrode contact.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of superconducting magnet technology, and in particular to a device for automatically inserting and unplugging current leads for superconducting magnet excitation. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of superconducting magnet technology, its application in the medical imaging industry has become widespread. The basic principle is to utilize the superconducting properties exhibited by certain alloy materials at extremely low temperatures (typically liquid helium at 4K). A coil wound with this type of wire is placed in a sealed container, and a relatively stable low-temperature environment is created through cooling, vacuum insulation, and other thermal insulation methods, maintaining the coil's superconducting state. Within the superconducting magnet, the superconducting coil is connected to an external circuit via current leads to generate a magnetic field and store energy.

[0003] In existing technologies, superconducting magnets require two wires, typically two rod-like devices, to be connected during excitation. These are inserted from room temperature into a cryogenic 4K container. During this process, the 4K container's seal remains open. When the cold helium gas encounters air, it condenses into ice crystals that sink into the 4K container. This accumulation causes a layer of condensation frost to form at the electrode contact points, potentially leading to a short circuit. Furthermore, the excitation process in existing technologies requires manual insertion and removal, which involves blind operation without visual observation. This not only results in low efficiency and a risk of misoperation but also increases the possibility of poor contact or excessive pressure at the electrode surfaces, causing significant damage. Summary of the Invention

[0004] (a) Technical problems to be solved

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a superconducting magnet excitation automatic insertion and removal current lead device that can be remotely controlled, achieves automatic insertion and removal, has high safety performance, high electrode docking accuracy, and stable electrode contact.

[0006] (II) Technical Solution

[0007] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention provides an automatic insertion and removal current lead device for superconducting magnet excitation, which is installed on an external room temperature container and includes: a conductive rod, a first compression sealing tube, a second compression sealing tube, a driving device, and a synchronization frame. The room temperature container has a through hole, through which the conductive rod passes. The first compression sealing tube is fitted onto the upper part of the conductive rod; the lower end of the first compression sealing tube is sealed to the through hole, and the upper end is connected to the conductive rod, driving the conductive rod to move up and down. The second compression sealing tube is fitted onto the lower part of the conductive rod; the upper end of the second compression sealing tube is sealed to the through hole, and the lower end is sealed to the conductive rod. An insulating sealing guide sleeve is slidably mounted on the conductive rod, and the upper end of the first compression sealing tube is slidably connected to the conductive rod through the insulating sealing guide sleeve. A spring is fitted onto the conductive rod, and a limit block is fixedly mounted on the conductive rod; one end of the spring abuts against the limit block, and the other end abuts against the insulating sealing guide sleeve. The synchronization frame is fixedly connected to the insulating sealing guide sleeve; the driving device includes a telescopic motor, which is connected to the synchronization frame. The telescopic motor drives the synchronous frame to move up and down, causing the insulating sealing guide sleeve to slide up and down on the conductive rod. During operation, the telescopic motor starts, driving the synchronous frame to move downwards, causing the insulating sealing guide sleeve to slide downwards on the conductive rod and compress the spring. The spring exerts a downward elastic force on the limiting block, causing the conductive rod to move downwards, bringing the current lead electrode at the bottom of the conductive rod into contact with the superconducting coil electrode on the external 4K container. This technical solution offers high safety performance, enables automatic lifting and insertion / removal without manual insertion / removal for excitation operations, and achieves automatic and precise electrode alignment.

[0008] Furthermore, a limiting ring is installed on the insulating sealing guide sleeve, which is used to limit the movement of the synchronization frame. A flange is installed between the lower end of the first compression sealing tube and the through hole, and the lower end of the first compression sealing tube is sealed on the flange. The flange is sealed to the room temperature container by welding. With this technical solution, the sealed connection between the superconducting magnet excitation automatic insertion and removal current lead device and the room temperature container ensures the airtightness of the vacuum cavity between the room temperature container and the 4K container.

[0009] Furthermore, a sealing element is installed between the lower end of the second compression sealing tube and the conductive rod. The sealing element is installed on the conductive rod and is sealed to the conductive rod. The lower end of the second compression sealing tube is sealed to the sealing element by welding.

[0010] (III) Beneficial Effects

[0011] This invention discloses an automatic insertion and removal current lead device for superconducting magnet excitation. It is equipped with a conductive rod, and a first compression sealing tube and a second compression sealing tube are fitted around the conductive rod. The first compression sealing tube and the second compression sealing tube are sealed and connected to a room temperature container. The conductive rod is driven to move by a telescopic motor, so that the electrode of the current lead end contacts the electrode of the superconducting coil end. Current flows into the superconducting coil for excitation, realizing automatic lifting and insertion / removal without manual insertion / removal to complete the excitation operation.

[0012] It can achieve remote control for excitation, and the cable can be effectively fixed on the conductive rod for a long time. Excitation operation can be remotely controlled when needed.

[0013] It has high safety performance. During excitation, it is not necessary to manually open the 4K container interface and insert the lead wire device to excite the device, thus avoiding the introduction of air into the 4K container, which may cause the electrode contact surface to freeze and lead to short circuit faults.

[0014] It can achieve precise electrode connection. The superconducting electrode is inside the 4K container. Conventional operation is carried out without visual observation and is a blind operation throughout the process. This not only has low work efficiency but also has a certain risk of misoperation. This structure achieves automatic and precise electrode docking through external positioning components.

[0015] The electrode contact is stable. This structure can achieve constant electrode pressure through spring compression, avoiding losses caused by poor contact or excessive pressure due to uneven pressure on the electrode contact surface. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of an automatic insertion and removal current lead device for superconducting magnet excitation according to the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of an automatic insertion and removal current lead device for superconducting magnet excitation according to the present invention.

[0018] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the superconducting magnet excitation automatic insertion and removal current lead device of the present invention after removing the first compression sealing tube and the second compression sealing tube.

[0019] Figure 4 This is a partial exploded view of an automatic insertion and removal current lead device for superconducting magnet excitation according to the present invention.

[0020] Wherein: 1 is a room temperature container, 2 is a conductive rod, 3 is a first compression sealing tube, 4 is a second compression sealing tube, 5 is a 4K container, 6 is an insulating sealing guide sleeve, 7 is a limiting block, 8 is a spring, 9 is a synchronous frame, 10 is a telescopic motor, 11 is a limiting ring, 12 is a flange, 13 is a sealing element, 101 is a through hole, 201 is a current lead end electrode, and 501 is a superconducting coil end electrode. Detailed Implementation

[0021] See Figures 1 to 4 This invention provides an automatic insertion and removal current lead device for superconducting magnet excitation, installed on an external room temperature container 1, comprising: a conductive rod 2, a first compression sealing tube 3, a second compression sealing tube 4, a driving device, and a synchronization frame 9. A vacuum chamber is set between the room temperature container 1 and the external 4K container 5. Two superconducting coil end electrodes 501 are disposed on the 4K container 5, located inside the vacuum chamber, and connected to the superconducting coil inside the 4K container 5.

[0022] See Figures 2 to 4 The superconducting magnet excitation automatic insertion and removal current lead device consists of two symmetrical sets of current lead devices. The top ends of the two conductive rods 2 are connected to the live wire and the neutral wire, respectively. The room temperature container 1 has two symmetrical through holes 101, through which the two conductive rods 2 pass. A first compression sealing tube 3 is fitted onto the upper part of the conductive rod 2; the lower end of the first compression sealing tube 3 is sealed to the through hole 101, and the upper end is connected to the conductive rod 2, driving the conductive rod 2 to move up and down. An insulating sealing sleeve 6 is slidably installed on the conductive rod 2, and the upper end of the first compression sealing tube 3 is slidably connected to the conductive rod 2 through the insulating sealing sleeve 6. A spring 8 is fitted onto the conductive rod 2, and a limit block 7 is fixedly installed on the conductive rod 2; one end of the spring 8 abuts against the limit block 7, and the other end abuts against the insulating sealing sleeve 6. A second compression sealing tube 4 is fitted onto the lower part of the conductive rod 2; the upper end of the second compression sealing tube 4 is sealed to the through hole 101, and the lower end is sealed to the conductive rod 2. The synchronizing frame 9 has symmetrically arranged sleeve holes on the left and right sides that match the insulating sealing guide sleeves 6. The two sleeve holes on the left and right sides are fitted onto the two insulating sealing guide sleeves 6. The driving device includes a telescopic motor 10, which is connected to the synchronizing frame 9. During operation, the telescopic motor 10 starts, driving the synchronizing frame 9 to move downward, and at the same time, it drives the two insulating sealing guide sleeves 6 to slide downward on the corresponding conductive rods 2 and compress the springs 8. The springs 8 have a downward elastic force on the limiting block 7, causing the conductive rods 2 to move downward, so that the two current lead end electrodes 201 on the left and right sides contact the two corresponding superconducting coil end electrodes 501, and the current flows into the superconducting coil for excitation.

[0023] See Figure 3 and Figure 4 A limiting ring 11 is installed on the insulating sealing guide sleeve 6 to limit the synchronous frame 9, making the connection between the synchronous frame 9 and the insulating sealing guide sleeve 6 more stable. At the same time, it also allows the conductive rod 2 to move downward more stably, achieving precise electrode docking. A nut is also installed on the conductive rod 2, which is located above the insulating sealing guide sleeve 6 and serves as a limiting element.

[0024] See Figure 2 and Figure 4A flange 12 is installed between the lower end of the first compression sealing tube 3 and the through hole 101. The lower end of the first compression sealing tube 3 is sealed onto the flange 12, and the flange 12 is sealed to the room temperature container 1 by welding. A sealing element 13 is installed between the lower end of the second compression sealing tube 4 and the conductive rod 2. The sealing element 13 is installed on the conductive rod 2 and is sealed to the conductive rod 2. The lower end of the second compression sealing tube 4 is sealed to the sealing element 13 by welding. This structure ensures the airtightness of the vacuum chamber between the room temperature container 1 and the 4K container 5.

[0025] This embodiment discloses an automatic insertion and removal current lead device for superconducting magnet excitation. A telescopic motor drives a conductive rod to move, bringing the current lead electrode into contact with the superconducting coil electrode. Current flows into the superconducting coil for excitation, achieving automatic lifting and insertion / removal without manual intervention. It allows for remote control of excitation. It boasts high safety performance, eliminating the need for manual opening of the 4K container interface to insert the lead device during excitation, preventing air from being introduced into the 4K container and causing ice formation on the electrode contact surface, leading to short circuits. The electrode contact is stable; the structure uses spring compression to maintain constant electrode pressure, preventing damage caused by uneven pressure or excessive pressure. It enables precise electrode connection. In conventional operations, the superconducting electrode is inside the 4K container without visual observation, resulting in blind operation, low efficiency, and a risk of misoperation. This structure uses external positioning components to achieve automatic and precise electrode docking.

[0026] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the technical principles of the present invention, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A superconducting magnet excitation automatic insertion and removal current lead device, installed on an external room temperature container (1), characterized in that, include: The conductive rod (2), the first compression sealing tube (3), and the second compression sealing tube (4) are provided. A through hole (101) is provided on the room temperature container (1). The conductive rod (2) passes through the through hole (101). The first compression sealing tube (3) is fitted on the upper part of the conductive rod (2). The lower end of the first compression sealing tube (3) is sealed to the through hole (101), and the upper end is connected to the conductive rod (2) and drives the conductive rod (2) to move up and down. The second compression sealing tube (4) is fitted on the lower part of the conductive rod (2). The upper end of the second compression sealing tube (4) is sealed to the through hole (101), and the lower end is sealed to the conductive rod (2). When working, the first compression sealing tube (3) is driven to move the conductive rod (2) down, so that the current lead end electrode (201) at the bottom of the conductive rod (2) contacts the superconducting coil end electrode (501) on the external 4K container (5). An insulating sealing sleeve (6) is slidably installed on the conductive rod (2), and the upper end of the first compression sealing tube (3) is slidably connected to the conductive rod (2) through the insulating sealing sleeve (6). A spring (8) is fitted on the conductive rod (2), and a limiting block (7) is fixedly installed on the conductive rod (2); one end of the spring (8) abuts against the limiting block (7), and the other end abuts against the insulating sealing sleeve (6). The spring (8) is compressed when the conductive rod (2) moves down, so as to provide a constant contact pressure to the current lead terminal electrode (201). It also includes a drive device and a synchronization frame (9), the synchronization frame (9) being fixedly connected to the insulating sealing guide sleeve (6); the drive device drives the synchronization frame (9) to move up and down, causing the insulating sealing guide sleeve (6) to slide up and down on the conductive rod (2); The drive device includes a telescopic motor (10), which is connected to the synchronous frame (9); A limiting ring (11) is installed on the insulating sealing guide sleeve (6), and the limiting ring (11) is used to limit the synchronous frame (9); A flange (12) is installed between the lower end of the first compression sealing tube (3) and the through hole (101). The lower end of the first compression sealing tube (3) is sealed on the flange (12). The flange (12) is sealed to the room temperature container (1) by welding. A seal (13) is installed between the lower end of the second compression sealing tube (4) and the conductive rod (2).

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