Plug-in current lead connector

Abstract

Provided is a plug-in current lead connector. Crimp connection or disconnection between an end tape of a composite current lead and an end tape of a high-temperature superconducting magnet is realized by means of expansion or contraction of an elastic inner ring (2), so as to replace the means in the prior art of welding the end tape of the composite current lead and the end tape of the high-temperature superconducting magnet, thereby avoiding the effect of welding on the critical current of a superconducting tape, reducing the effect on the mechanical properties of the end tapes, and thus eliminating the risk of the end tapes breaking due to vibration during operation of a vehicle; in addition, the composite current lead and the high-temperature superconducting magnet are connected in a plug-in contact mode, and the contact mode is circumferential surface contact, such that after an excitation process is finished, the composite current lead can be disconnected from the high-temperature superconducting magnet to reduce heat leakage of the magnet. The application of the composite current lead in terms of the plug-in contact mode is widened.

Description

Plug-in current lead connector

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the China Patent Office on March 27, 2024, with application number 2024103613400 and invention name “A plug-in current lead connector”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the technical field of magnetic levitation vehicles, and in particular to a plug-in current lead connector. Background Art

[0003] High-temperature superconducting magnets are the core components of high-temperature superconducting electric maglev vehicles.

[0004] The on-board high-temperature superconducting magnet operates in a closed loop, that is, after an external power supply injects a predetermined current into the high-temperature superconducting magnet through the current lead, causing the superconducting magnet to reach the expected electromotive force, the connection between the current lead and the external power supply can be disconnected, and the current flows in the high-temperature superconducting magnet with zero resistance, so there is no need to continuously inject current into the coil.

[0005] Current leads can be divided into conventional and composite current leads based on their materials. Composite current leads incorporate superconductors and offer the advantages of zero resistance and low heat leakage. Based on their contact with the HTS magnet, current leads can be divided into fixed and pluggable types. Fixed current leads remain within the HTS magnet, introducing additional heat leakage and generating significant Joule heat during excitation, which is detrimental to the magnet's low-temperature environment. Pluggable current leads connect the HTS magnet's internal coils to the external excitation power supply only during excitation. While the vehicle is in operation, the current leads can be disconnected from the excitation power supply, reducing heat leakage from the external environment into the magnet. Pluggable current leads are primarily used in the normal temperature range of the lead. This means the pluggable structure is in the normal conduction temperature range, not the superconducting temperature range. The superconducting coil remains connected to the fixed current lead, failing to fundamentally address the issue of heat leakage from the current lead to the superconducting coil.

[0006] In the existing technology, there is little research on pluggable composite current leads, and there is no precedent for their engineering application. On the one hand, due to the limitations of the characteristics of the superconducting tape itself, after the composite current lead is connected to the superconducting coil by welding, there is a risk of reduced mechanical properties and critical current of the superconducting material. If the two are not directly connected, it is easy to generate a large joint resistance, which will input Joule heat into the superconducting magnet, which is undesirable. On the other hand, the interior of the superconducting magnet is a high vacuum environment. It is difficult to achieve precise control of the movement of internal components without destroying the vacuum environment and withstanding high magnetic field strength, which puts high demands on the mechanical structure design.

[0007] Therefore, how to provide a pluggable composite current lead connector with low connector resistance and relatively simple operation without affecting the performance of superconducting materials, thereby broadening the application of composite current leads in pluggable contact methods, has become a technical problem that needs to be urgently solved by technical personnel in this field.

[0008] Summary of the Invention

[0009] In view of this, the present invention provides a plug-in current lead connector to reduce the influence of the connection method on the mechanical properties of the composite current lead and the end strip of the high-temperature superconducting magnet, while broadening the application of the composite current lead in the plug-in contact method.

[0010] In order to achieve the above objectives, the present application provides a pluggable current lead connector, comprising:

[0011] A supporting outer ring, wherein the inner wall of the supporting outer ring is provided with a first mounting groove for mounting an end strip of a high-temperature superconducting magnet;

[0012] an elastic inner ring capable of extending into the supporting outer ring, wherein the outer wall of the elastic inner ring is provided with a second mounting groove for mounting an end strip of the composite current lead;

[0013] The expansion assembly is used to drive the elastic inner ring to expand circumferentially so that the end strip of the composite current lead is crimped and connected with the end strip of the high-temperature superconducting magnet.

[0014] The superconducting surface of the end strip of the composite current lead and the superconducting surface of the end strip of the high-temperature superconducting magnet are connected by pressing, so that lower resistance can be obtained.

[0015] Preferably, in the above-mentioned pluggable current lead connector, the supporting outer ring includes a straight segment and an arc segment, the first end of the straight segment is connected to the end of the arc segment, and the opening of the arc segment faces the second end of the straight segment;

[0016] The elastic inner ring includes an inner spiral and an outer spiral, the end of the outer spiral exceeds the starting end of the inner spiral, and the end of the outer spiral is located at the opening of the arc segment, and the end strip of the composite current lead extends from the opening of the arc segment;

[0017] And / or, it also includes a superconducting tape support rod connected to the elastic inner ring, and the end tape of the composite current lead is wound around the rod wall of the superconducting tape support rod to support the end tape of the composite current lead.

[0018] Preferably, in the above-mentioned pluggable current lead connector, the expansion component includes:

[0019] An outer shell is located inside the elastic inner ring, and a guide groove is provided on a circumferential side wall of the outer shell and is opened along the radial direction of the outer shell;

[0020] an expansion member installed in the guide groove, wherein a first end of the expansion member located outside the housing is connectable to the elastic inner ring;

[0021] A push rod, wherein a first end of the push rod close to the expander is provided with a conical section and a cylindrical section, the conical section is close to the expander relative to the cylindrical section, the end of the conical section with a larger diameter is equal to the diameter of the cylindrical section, and the end of the conical section with a smaller diameter is located within the circumference surrounded by multiple expanders, and the first end of the push rod pushes the expander to move in the guide groove so that the expander drives the elastic inner ring to expand circumferentially.

[0022] Preferably, in the above-mentioned pluggable current lead connector, a limit plate is provided at the second end of the expansion piece to prevent the second end of the expansion piece from falling out of the guide groove.

[0023] Preferably, in the above-mentioned plug-in current lead connector, the expansion component also includes a reset member, one end of the reset member is connected to the limit plate, and the other end of the reset member abuts against the inner wall of the outer shell, which is used to apply a thrust to the limit plate so that the expansion member moves along the guide groove into the outer shell.

[0024] Preferably, in the above-mentioned pluggable current lead connector, a limiting hole is provided on the limiting plate, and the limiting hole is used to limit the extension and retraction of the reset member.

[0025] Preferably, in the above-mentioned pluggable current lead connector, the housing comprises a front housing and a rear housing,

[0026] The front shell is provided with the guide groove, the rear end of the front shell is an open end for the first end of the push rod to extend therein, the guide groove includes a front guide groove and a rear guide groove, the expansion piece is installed in the front guide groove, the rear guide groove is connected to and collinear with the front guide groove, the rear guide groove extends to the rear end of the front shell, and the expansion piece is guided by the rear guide groove into the front guide groove;

[0027] The front end of the rear shell is an open end for the second end of the push rod to extend into, and the rear shell is mounted on the front shell. The front end surface of the rear shell abuts against the expansion piece to limit the movement of the expansion piece along the axial direction of the front shell, and the rear end of the rear shell is provided with a through hole for the second end of the push rod to pass through.

[0028] Preferably, in the above-mentioned pluggable current lead connector, a guide column is provided in the front shell.

[0029] A guide hole matched with the guide column is formed at the first end of the push rod.

[0030] Preferably, in the above-mentioned pluggable current lead connector, the guide post is prismatic, and the guide hole is adapted to the shape of the guide post; and / or,

[0031] The inner cavity of the front shell is prismatic, the guide groove is provided on the prismatic surface of the inner cavity, and the first end of the push rod is adapted to the shape of the inner cavity.

[0032] Preferably, in the above-mentioned pluggable current lead connector, the outer wall of the front shell is provided with a limiting portion for limiting the mating length of the rear shell and the front shell, the limiting portion being capable of abutting against the front end surface of the rear shell, and the front guide groove and the rear guide groove are respectively located on both sides of the limiting portion;

[0033] The distance between the closed end of the rear shell and the rear end face of the front shell is at least equal to the length of the expansion piece along the axial direction of the outer shell. A guide plate is provided on the push rod, and the guide plate is adapted to the inner cavity shape of the rear shell for guiding the movement of the second end of the push rod.

[0034] The pluggable current lead connector provided in an embodiment of the present application includes a supporting outer ring, an elastic inner ring, and an expansion assembly. The inner wall of the supporting outer ring is provided with a first mounting groove for mounting the end strip of a high-temperature superconducting magnet, while the outer wall of the elastic inner ring is provided with a second mounting groove for mounting the end strip of a composite current lead. The expansion assembly is configured to apply an expansion force to the elastic inner ring, causing it to expand circumferentially, thereby crimping the end strip of the composite current lead in the elastic inner ring to the end strip of the high-temperature superconducting magnet in the supporting outer ring. The plug-in current lead connector disclosed in the present application realizes the crimping connection or disconnection of the end strip of the composite current lead and the end strip of the high-temperature superconducting magnet by expansion or contraction of the elastic inner ring, replacing the welding method of the end strip of the composite current lead and the end strip of the high-temperature superconducting magnet in the prior art. It can avoid the influence of welding on the critical current of the superconducting strip, reduce the influence on the mechanical properties of the end strip, and eliminate the risk of the end strip being broken by vibration when running with the vehicle; at the same time, the composite current lead and the high-temperature superconducting magnet are connected by a plug-in contact method, and the contact method is circumferential surface contact. After the excitation process is completed, the composite current lead can be disconnected from the superconducting magnet, reducing heat leakage of the magnet, broadening the application of the composite current lead in the plug-in contact method, and filling a technical gap. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0036] FIG1 is a schematic structural diagram of the connection between the pluggable current lead connector of the present application and the end strip of the composite current lead and the end strip of the high-temperature superconducting magnet;

[0037] FIG2 is a schematic structural diagram of the connection between the pluggable current lead connector (without superconducting tape support rod) of the present application and the end tape of the composite current lead and the end tape of the high-temperature superconducting magnet;

[0038] FIG3 is a schematic structural diagram of the pluggable current lead connector of the present application;

[0039] FIG4 is a schematic structural diagram of an expansion assembly of a pluggable current lead connector of the present application;

[0040] FIG5 is an exploded view of an expansion assembly of the pluggable current lead connector of the present application;

[0041] FIG6 is a cross-sectional view of the expansion assembly of the pluggable current lead connector of the present application when not expanded;

[0042] FIG7 is a partial enlarged view of A in FIG6;

[0043] FIG8 is a cross-sectional view of the expansion assembly of the pluggable current lead connector of the present application during expansion;

[0044] FIG9 is a partial enlarged view of B in FIG8;

[0045] FIG10 is a schematic structural diagram of the housing of the expansion assembly of the pluggable current lead connector of the present application;

[0046] FIG11 is a side view of the housing of the expansion assembly of the pluggable current lead connector of the present application;

[0047] FIG12 is a schematic structural diagram of a push rod of an expansion assembly of a pluggable current lead connector of the present application;

[0048] FIG13 is a schematic structural diagram of the connection between the expansion piece and the limiting plate of the expansion assembly of the pluggable current lead connector of the present application.

[0049] Among them: 1-support outer ring; 2-elastic inner ring; 3-expansion component; 31-housing; 311-guide groove; 312-front housing; 3121-front guide groove; 3122-rear guide groove; 3123-guide column; 313-rear housing; 32-expansion piece; 33-push rod; 331-guide plate; 34-limiting plate; 341-limiting hole; 4. Superconducting tape support rod. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] The invention discloses a plug-in current lead joint, which reduces the influence of the connection mode on the mechanical properties of the composite current lead and the end strip of the high-temperature superconducting magnet, and broadens the application of the composite current lead in the plug-in contact mode.

[0051] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0052] Please refer to Figures 1 to 13.

[0053] Some embodiments of the present application disclose a pluggable current lead connector, comprising a supporting outer ring 1 , an elastic inner ring 2 and an expansion component 3 .

[0054] The inner wall of the supporting outer ring 1 is provided with a first mounting groove, which is used to mount the end strip of the high-temperature superconducting magnet;

[0055] The outer wall of the elastic inner ring 2 is provided with a second mounting groove, which is used to install the end strip of the composite current lead. The elastic inner ring 2 can be inserted into the supporting outer ring 1;

[0056] The expansion assembly 3 is used to apply an expansion force to the elastic inner ring 2, causing the elastic inner ring 2 to expand along its own circumferential direction, so that the end strip of the composite current lead of the elastic inner ring 2 is crimped and connected with the end strip of the high-temperature superconducting magnet supporting the outer ring 1, thereby realizing electrical connection between the composite current lead and the high-temperature superconducting magnet.

[0057] During excitation, the elastic inner ring 2 is inserted into the circumference of the supporting outer ring 1, and the expansion assembly 3 applies an expansion force to the elastic inner ring 2, causing the elastic inner ring 2 to expand until the end strip of the composite current lead disposed on the elastic inner ring 2 is crimped against the end strip of the high-temperature superconducting magnet disposed on the supporting outer ring 1. Here, the superconducting surface of the end strip of the composite current lead and the superconducting surface of the end strip of the high-temperature superconducting magnet are in contact to achieve connection, and the resistance at the connection location is low.

[0058] During operation, the expansion assembly 3 does not apply an expansion force to the elastic inner ring 2. The elastic inner ring 2 contracts along its own circumferential direction under the action of its own restoring force, thereby disconnecting the crimped connection between the end strip of the composite current lead and the end strip of the high-temperature superconducting magnet.

[0059] The plug-in current lead connector disclosed in the present application achieves crimping connection or disconnection between the end strip of the composite current lead and the end strip of the high-temperature superconducting magnet by expanding or contracting the elastic inner ring 2. This replaces the conventional method of welding the end strip of the composite current lead to the end strip of the high-temperature superconducting magnet. This avoids the impact of welding on the critical current of the superconducting strip, reduces the impact on the mechanical properties of the end strip, and eliminates the risk of the end strip breaking due to vibration during vehicle operation. In addition, the elastic inner ring 2 drives the end strip of the composite current lead to be inserted into the supporting outer ring 1 having the end strip of the high-temperature superconducting magnet, achieving plug-in contact connection between the composite current lead and the high-temperature superconducting magnet. The contact method is circumferential surface contact, which reduces resistance. After the excitation process is completed, the composite current lead can be disconnected from the superconducting magnet, reducing heat leakage from the magnet. This broadens the application of composite current leads in plug-in contact methods and fills a technical gap.

[0060] The present application arranges the end strip of the composite current lead on the elastic inner ring 2 and the end strip of the high-temperature superconducting tape on the supporting outer ring 1, and changes the traditional plug-in contact method from axial plugging to circumferential crimping, so that the end strip of the composite current lead and the end strip of the high-temperature superconducting magnet are connected in the form of circumferential surface contact, thereby increasing the contact area between the end strip of the composite current lead and the end strip of the high-temperature superconducting magnet, achieving good conductivity and low resistance. At the same time, the method of disconnecting the end strip of the composite current lead and the end strip of the high-temperature superconducting magnet will not reduce the strength of the end strip, and can be used repeatedly with a low risk of breakage.

[0061] The pluggable current lead using a composite current lead has the advantages of zero resistance and low heat leakage of the composite current lead. It can reduce the heat leakage of the high-temperature superconducting magnet and reduce the Joule heat generated during the excitation process. At the same time, it can reduce the heat load of the refrigerator and extend the offline time of the high-temperature superconducting magnet.

[0062] The end strips of the composite current lead and the high-temperature superconducting magnet have the characteristic of pressure resistance. This application utilizes the pressure resistance of the end strips to use a cold pressing process to press the end strips of the high-temperature superconducting magnet and the end strips of the composite current lead into the same shape as the support outer ring 1 and the elastic inner ring 2, respectively. The end strips of the high-temperature superconducting magnet after pressing are installed in the first mounting groove of the support outer ring 1, and the end strips of the composite current lead are installed in the second mounting groove of the elastic inner ring 2. When the elastic inner ring 2 expands circumferentially, the end strips of the high-temperature superconducting magnet and the end strips of the composite current lead are crimped and connected on the sides with the largest areas to ensure the contact area of ​​the end strips of the two, and the contact resistance is smaller.

[0063] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the support outer ring 1 includes a straight segment and an arcuate segment. The first end of the straight segment is connected to the first end of the arcuate segment. The arcuate segment is located to one side of the straight segment, with the opening of the arcuate segment facing the second end of the straight segment. Both the straight segment and the arcuate segment of the support outer ring 1 define a first mounting groove.

[0064] The first end and the second end of the straight segment are respectively the two ends of the straight segment in the length direction, the first end and the second end of the arc segment are respectively located at the two ends of the opening of the arc segment, and the end of the opening of the arc segment close to the straight segment is the first end of the arc segment.

[0065] The elastic inner ring 2 is spiral-shaped, comprising an inner spiral and an outer spiral. The outer spiral ends beyond the starting point of the inner spiral and is located at the opening of the arc segment. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the outer spiral is very short, and the elastic inner ring 2 comprises only one inner spiral. Both the inner and outer spirals of the elastic inner ring are provided with a second mounting groove.

[0066] Because the composite current lead's end strip still has a certain length after being wound around the elastic inner ring 2, the pluggable current lead connector disclosed in this application also includes a superconducting tape support rod 4, which is used to support the composite current lead's end strip located outside the elastic inner ring 2. As shown in Figure 1, the superconducting tape support rod 4 is connected to the elastic inner ring 2, and the composite current lead's end strip is helically wound around the rod wall of the superconducting tape support rod 4.

[0067] In order to further optimize the above technical solution, a spiral groove is opened on the rod wall of the superconducting tape support rod 4, and the end tape of the composite current lead is embedded in the spiral groove. The spiral groove can fix the end tape of the composite current lead.

[0068] The superconducting tape support rod 4 and the end tape of the composite current lead can be regarded as a composite current lead. When the end tape of the composite current lead suddenly loses superconductivity, the superconducting tape support rod 4 can play a role in diversion.

[0069] In this application, the composite current lead is arranged in a spiral.

[0070] In some embodiments of the present application, the opening of the arc segment is smaller than that of the elastic inner ring 2, allowing the elastic inner ring 2 to be inserted only along the axis of the arc segment. After insertion, the outer spiral of the elastic inner ring 2 extends toward the opening of the arc segment, simplifying the extraction of the end strip of the composite current lead.

[0071] In the first embodiment of the present application, the expansion assembly 3 includes a housing 31 , an expansion member 32 and a push rod 33 .

[0072] The outer shell 31 is positioned within the elastic inner ring 2. Guide grooves 311 extending radially along the outer shell 31 are provided on the circumferential sidewalls of the outer shell 31. The expander 32 is mounted within the guide grooves 311 to guide its movement. The guide grooves 311 align radially with the outer shell 31. The outer shell 31 may have only one or multiple guide grooves 311 arranged along its axis. Each guide groove 311 is positioned at the same height along the axis of the outer shell 31. The guide grooves 311 may be evenly or unevenly distributed along the circumference of the outer shell 31. Adjacent guide grooves 311 may be positioned opposite or offset. Preferably, the outer shell 31 is cylindrical.

[0073] The end of the expander 32 located outside the outer shell 31 is designated as the first end, and the end of the expander 32 located inside the outer shell 31 is designated as the second end. The second ends of the multiple expanders 32 are arranged in a circular shape. The first ends of the expanders 32 are movably connected to the inner wall of the elastic inner ring 2. Preferably, the expanders 32 abut against the elastic inner ring 2 so that when the elastic inner ring 2 expands, the expanders 32 can both exert a supporting force on the elastic inner ring 2 and slide circumferentially relative to the elastic inner ring 2. There are multiple expanders 32, and the expanders 32 can be installed in each guide groove 311 of the outer shell 31, or only in some guide grooves 311. Preferably, there is a one-to-one correspondence between the expanders 32 and the guide grooves 311.

[0074] The push rod 33 is located in the housing and can extend into the circumference surrounded by the second ends of the multiple expansion members 32. The push rod 33 is used to push the expansion members 32 to move in the guide groove 311 to apply expansion force to the elastic inner ring 2, causing the elastic inner ring 2 to expand circumferentially.

[0075] Specifically, the end of the push rod 33 close to the expander 32 is the first end of the push rod 33, and the end of the push rod 33 away from the expander 32 is the second end of the push rod 33. The first end of the push rod 33 is provided with a conical section and a cylindrical section. The conical section is close to the expander 32 relative to the cylindrical section, and the end of the conical section with a larger diameter is connected to the cylindrical section, and the end of the conical section with a smaller diameter is close to the expander 32 relative to the end of the conical section with a larger diameter.

[0076] The push rod 33 acts on the second end of the expansion member 32. As the size of the first end of the push rod 33 changes, the push rod 33 pushes the expansion member 32 within the guide groove 311 toward the outside of the housing 31. The expansion member 32 pushes the elastic inner ring 2 to expand, gradually increasing its circumferential size until the outer wall of the elastic inner ring 2 abuts the inner wall of the supporting outer ring 1. When the larger diameter end of the truncated cone segment abuts the multiple expansion members 32, the elastic inner ring 2 abuts the supporting outer ring 1. Continued push of the push rod 33 brings the cylindrical segment into contact with the expansion member 32, thereby improving the stability of the crimping between the end strip of the composite current lead and the end strip of the high-temperature superconducting magnet supporting the outer ring 1.

[0077] After the excitation is completed, the push rod 33 is pulled out from between the multiple expansion components 3. The expansion components 3 do not apply expansion force to the elastic inner ring 2. The elastic inner ring 2 returns to its original shape under the action of its own elastic force. At the same time, the elastic inner ring 2 pushes the expansion piece 32 to move in the guide groove 311, so that the expansion piece 32 returns to its initial position.

[0078] In the second embodiment of the present application, the expansion assembly 3 includes a main rod and a plurality of spring clips arranged along the circumference of the main rod. The upper end of the spring clip is fixedly connected to the main rod, and the lower end of the spring clip is slidingly connected to the main rod through a sliding ring. When excited, the sliding ring is pushed, and the sliding ring drives the lower ends of the plurality of spring clips to move toward the upper end of the spring clip, so that the position of the spring clip corresponding to the expansion piece 32 is deformed away from the main rod direction, and the spring clip is supported in an arc shape. The arc-shaped spring clip pushes the expansion piece 32, applying an expansion force to the elastic inner ring 2.

[0079] The expansion assembly 3 is not limited to the above-mentioned structural form, and may also be other structural forms, which are not specifically limited here.

[0080] When the expansion assembly 3 is the solution described in the first embodiment, the expansion member 32 can be an expansion rod or an expansion plate. In order to enhance the stability of the expansion member 32 and the guide groove 311, preferably, the expansion member 32 is an expansion plate.

[0081] A limiting plate 34 is provided at the second end of the expansion member 32 . The limiting plate 34 is used to limit the second end of the expansion member 32 to prevent the expansion member 32 from sliding out of the guide groove 311 .

[0082] The limiting plate 34 is perpendicular to the expansion member 32 , and as shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 6 and FIG. 10 , the expansion plate and the limiting plate 34 form a T-shaped structure.

[0083] The size of the limiting plate 34 along the circumferential direction of the shell 31 is larger than the size of the guide groove 311 along the circumferential direction of the shell 31 and / or the size of the limiting plate 34 along the axial direction of the shell 31 is larger than the size of the guide groove 311 along the axial direction of the shell 31.

[0084] The limiting plate 34 and the expansion member 32 can be an integral structure or a separate structure. In the embodiment where the limiting plate 34 and the expansion member 32 are separate structures, the limiting plate 34 and the expansion member 32 are connected by welding, bolting, riveting, or plugging.

[0085] In order to improve the reliability of the reset of the expansion piece 32, the expansion assembly 3 of the plug-in current lead connector disclosed in this application also includes a reset piece 35, which is located between the limit plate 34 and the inner wall of the shell 31. The reset piece 35 is used to apply a thrust to the limit plate 34, and the thrust direction is toward the axis of the shell 31.

[0086] When the push rod 33 pushes the expansion member 32 to move out of the housing 31 , the limit plate 34 simultaneously squeezes the reset member 35 ; when the push rod 33 is pulled out from between the multiple expansion members 32 , the reset member 35 pushes the expansion member 32 to move into the housing 31 .

[0087] The reset member 35 may be provided at at least one end of the limiting plate 34 along the axis direction of the housing 31. The reset member 35 may be a spring.

[0088] In the embodiment where the reset member 35 is a spring, a guide hole is defined on the limiting plate 34 , one end of the reset member 35 is located in the guide hole, and the other end of the reset member 35 abuts against the inner wall of the housing 31 .

[0089] The limiting plate 34 can be an arc-shaped plate or a flat plate.

[0090] In some embodiments of the present application, the housing 31 includes a front shell 312 and a rear shell 313 , wherein the front shell 312 defines a guide groove 311 .

[0091] For the convenience of the following description, the end of the outer shell 31 close to the elastic inner ring 2 is the front, and the end of the outer shell 31 away from the elastic inner ring 2 is the rear.

[0092] The rear end of the front shell 312 is an open end for the first end of the push rod 33 to extend into, and the front end of the front shell 312 can be an open end or a closed end.

[0093] As shown in Figures 4 and 7, the guide groove 311 includes a front guide groove 3121 and a rear guide groove 3122. The front guide groove 3121 is closer to the elastic inner ring 2 than the rear guide groove 3122. The expansion piece 32 is installed in the front guide groove 3121. The rear guide groove 3122 is connected to the front guide groove 3121 and is collinear with the front guide groove 3121. The rear guide groove 3122 extends from the front guide groove 3121 to the rear end of the front shell 312. The expansion piece 32 is installed from the rear end of the front shell 312 through the rear guide groove 3122 into the front guide groove 3121.

[0094] The front end of the rear shell 313 is an open end for the second end of the push rod 33 to extend into. The rear shell 313 is sleeved and connected to the front shell 312. The rear end of the rear shell 313 is provided with a through hole for the second end of the push rod 33 away from the expansion piece 32 to pass through.

[0095] Preferably, the through hole can guide the movement of the push rod 33 .

[0096] The front end of the rear shell 313 can abut against the expansion member 32 to limit the expansion member 32 and reduce the shaking of the expansion member 32 along the axial direction of the front shell 312 during movement.

[0097] During installation, the expander 32 is first inserted into the front guide groove 3121 through the rear guide groove 3122. The rear shell 313 is then sleeved over the second end of the push rod 33. The second end of the push rod 33 passes through the through hole of the rear shell 313, connecting the push rod 33 and the rear shell 313. Finally, the first end of the push rod 33 extends into the front shell 312, and the rear shell 313 is sleeved and connected to the front shell 312. After installation, the first end of the frustum of the push rod 33 is located within the circumference formed by the multiple expanders 32.

[0098] During excitation, the second end of the push rod 33 is pushed, and the first end of the push rod 33 moves forward within the circle surrounded by the multiple expansion members 32, pushing the expansion members 32 to move in the front guide groove 3121 toward the outside of the housing 31. The expansion members 32 push the elastic inner ring 2 to expand, so that the end strip of the composite current lead is pressed against the end strip of the high-temperature superconducting magnet;

[0099] After the excitation is completed, the second end of the push rod 33 is pulled to make the first end of the push rod 33 move backward within the circle surrounded by multiple expansion pieces 32. The push rod 33 does not apply thrust to the expansion piece 32. At the same time, the expansion piece 32 moves into the shell 31 under the action of the restoring force of the reset piece 35 and the elastic inner ring 2, disconnecting the end strip of the composite current lead from the end strip of the high-temperature superconducting magnet.

[0100] Designing the housing 31 as a front shell 312 and a rear shell 313 can reduce the difficulty of assembling the expansion assembly 3 .

[0101] The housing 31 may be a plug-in connection structure along its own axial direction, or may be an assembly structure of two left and right semi-cylindrical shells, which is not specifically limited here.

[0102] In an embodiment in which the housing 31 is connected by a front shell 312 and a rear shell 313, a limiting portion is provided on the outer wall of the front shell 312, which can abut against the front end of the rear shell 313 to limit the matching length of the rear shell 313 and the front shell 312.

[0103] Specifically, after the rear shell 313 abuts against the limiting portion, the front end surface of the rear shell 313 abuts against the expansion piece 32 , and the front guide groove 3121 and the rear guide groove 3122 are respectively located on both sides of the limiting portion.

[0104] In some embodiments of the present application, the front shell 312 is designed as a two-section structure, and the diameter of the front guide groove section of the front shell 312 is larger than the diameter of the rear guide groove section of the front shell 312, and a step surface is formed between the front guide groove section and the rear guide groove section, which is a limiting portion, and the step surface can abut against the front end face of the rear shell 313; the diameter of the outer circumference of the rear shell 313 is equal to the diameter of the outer circumference of the front guide groove section of the front shell 312, so that after the front shell 312 and the rear shell 313 are connected, the outer circumference of the front guide groove section and the outer circumference of the rear shell 313 are located on the same cylindrical surface, and the inner diameter of the rear shell 313 is equal to the diameter of the rear guide groove section of the front shell 312.

[0105] The limiting portion is not limited to the above-mentioned structural form. A limiting protrusion may be provided on the outer wall of the front shell 312 , and the limiting protrusion abuts against the end surface of the rear shell 313 .

[0106] A guide column 3123 is provided in the front shell 312, and a guide hole cooperating with the guide column 3123 is opened at the first end of the push rod 33. The guide column 3123 cooperates with the guide hole to guide the movement of the push rod 33 in the front shell 312, thereby improving the reliability of the expansion of the elastic inner ring 2.

[0107] In order to further optimize the above technical solution, the guide column 3123 is prismatic, and the guide hole is adapted to the shape of the guide column 3123; and / or,

[0108] The inner cavity of the front shell 312 is prismatic, and the first end of the push rod 33 is adapted to the shape of the inner cavity of the front shell 312 .

[0109] In an embodiment where the guide column 3123 is prismatic and the guide hole matches the shape of the guide column 3123, the movement of the push rod 33 in the front shell 312 is guided by the guiding cooperation between the guide column 3123 and the guide hole, thereby improving the reliability of achieving end strip crimping.

[0110] The guide post 3123 is not limited to a prismatic shape, but may also be a cylindrical shape.

[0111] In the embodiment where the guide post 3123 is prismatic, the prismatic guide post 3123 cooperates with the push rod 33 having a prismatic guide hole, thereby preventing the push rod 33 from rotating around its own axis during movement.

[0112] In an embodiment where the inner cavity of the front shell 312 is prismatic and the first end of the push rod 33 is adapted to the shape of the inner cavity of the front shell 312, a guide groove 311 is provided on the prismatic surface of the inner cavity, and the inner cavity of the front shell 312 can guide the movement of the first end of the push rod 33.

[0113] The inner cavity of the front shell 312 is not limited to a prismatic shape, but may also be a cylindrical shape.

[0114] In an embodiment where the guide column 3123 is prismatic, the guide hole matches the shape of the guide column 3123, the inner cavity of the front shell 312 is prismatic, and the first end of the push rod 33 matches the shape of the inner cavity of the front shell 312, the front shell 312 and the guide column 3123 simultaneously guide the inner part of the outer periphery of the push rod 33, further improving the reliability of the operation of the push rod 33.

[0115] Preferably, a through groove is provided along the axis of the prismatic push rod at a position corresponding to the edge of the push rod.

[0116] In order to further optimize the above technical solution, the present application provides a guide structure at the second end of the push rod 33 to guide the movement of the second end of the push rod 33, improve the stability of the movement of the push rod 33, and ensure the reliability of the push rod 33 in pushing multiple expansion members 32.

[0117] In some embodiments of the present application, a guide plate 331 is provided on the push rod 33 , and the guide plate 331 is provided on the portion of the push rod 33 that moves within the rear housing 313 .

[0118] The shape of the guide plate 331 is adapted to the shape of the inner cavity of the rear shell 313 , and the inner cavity of the rear shell 313 and the guide plate 331 are guided and matched to guide the movement of the push rod 33 .

[0119] After the stepped surfaces of the rear shell 313 and the front shell 312 abut against each other, a movement space for the guide plate 331 is formed between the closed end of the rear shell 313 and the rear end surface of the front shell 312 .

[0120] In some embodiments of the present application, the composite current lead is a structure of a strip wound around a copper tube, and the bending angle of the copper tube can be adapted by changing the intercept of the strip winding.

[0121] The end strip has a certain degree of flexibility and can bend and twist within a certain range. This solution utilizes the above-mentioned technical advantages of the end strip to realize the winding connection between the end strip of the composite current lead and the elastic inner ring, and the winding connection between the end strip of the high-temperature superconducting magnet and the supporting outer ring, and finally realizes the circumferential surface contact between the end strip of the composite current lead and the end strip of the high-temperature superconducting magnet.

[0122] The elastic inner ring is made of highly conductive metal material and has a certain degree of elasticity. The supporting outer ring is made of highly conductive material and has good pressure resistance. It can be connected to the supporting outer ring after compression to play the role of quench protection.

[0123] The above description of the disclosed embodiments is intended to enable one skilled in the art to implement or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown herein but is intended to conform to the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A pluggable current lead connector, characterized in that: include: A supporting outer ring (1), wherein the inner wall of the supporting outer ring (1) is provided with a first mounting groove for mounting an end strip of a high-temperature superconducting magnet; An elastic inner ring (2) is capable of extending into the supporting outer ring (1), and an outer wall of the elastic inner ring (2) is provided with a second mounting groove for mounting an end strip of a composite current lead; An expansion assembly (3) is used to drive the elastic inner ring (2) to expand circumferentially so as to crimp the end strip of the composite current lead to the end strip of the high-temperature superconducting magnet.

2. The pluggable current lead connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The supporting outer ring (1) comprises a straight segment and an arc segment, the first end of the straight segment is connected to the end of the arc segment, and the opening of the arc segment faces the second end of the straight segment; The elastic inner ring (2) comprises an inner spiral and an outer spiral, the end of the outer spiral exceeds the starting end of the inner spiral, and the end of the outer spiral is located at the opening of the arc segment, and the end strip of the composite current lead extends from the opening of the arc segment; And / or, it also includes a superconducting tape support rod (4) connected to the elastic inner ring (2), which is used to support and fix the end tape of the composite current lead, and the end tape of the composite current lead is wound around the rod wall of the superconducting tape support rod (4).

3. The pluggable current lead connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The expansion assembly (3) comprises: A housing (31) is located inside the elastic inner ring (2), and a guide groove (311) is provided on a circumferential side wall of the housing (31) and is opened along the radial direction of the housing (31); an expansion member (32) installed in the guide groove (311), wherein a first end of the expansion member (32) located outside the housing (31) is capable of connecting to the elastic inner ring (2); A push rod (33), wherein a first end of the push rod (33) close to the expander (32) is provided with a conical section and a cylindrical section, the conical section is close to the expander (32) relative to the cylindrical section, the end of the conical section with a larger diameter is equal to the diameter of the cylindrical section, and the end of the conical section with a smaller diameter is located within the circumference surrounded by the plurality of expanders (32), and the first end of the push rod (33) pushes the expander (32) to move in the guide groove (311), so that the expander (32) drives the elastic inner ring (2) to expand circumferentially.

4. The pluggable current lead connector according to claim 3, characterized in that: A limiting plate (34) is provided at the second end of the expansion piece (32) for preventing the second end of the expansion piece (32) from falling out of the guide groove (311).

5. The pluggable current lead connector according to claim 4, characterized in that: The expansion assembly (3) further includes a reset member (35), one end of which is connected to the limit plate (34), and the other end of which abuts against the inner wall of the housing (31), for applying a thrust to the limit plate (34) so ​​that the expansion member (32) moves along the guide groove (311) into the housing (31).

6. The pluggable current lead connector according to claim 5, characterized in that: A limiting hole (341) is provided on the limiting plate (34), and the limiting hole (341) is used to limit the extension and retraction of the reset member (35).

7. The pluggable current lead connector according to claim 3, characterized in that: The housing (31) includes a front housing (312) and a rear housing (313). The front shell (312) is provided with the guide groove (311), and the rear end of the front shell (312) is used for an open end for the first end of the push rod (33) to extend into, the guide groove (311) comprising a front guide groove (3121) and a rear guide groove (3122), the expansion member (32) being installed in the front guide groove (3121), the rear guide groove (3122) being communicated with and collinear with the front guide groove (3121), the rear guide groove (3122) extending to the rear end of the front shell (312), the expansion member (32) being guided by the rear guide groove (3122) and installed in the front guide groove (3121); The front end of the rear shell (313) is an open end for the second end of the push rod (33) to extend into, and the rear shell (313) is sleeved on the front shell (312). The front end surface of the rear shell (313) abuts against the expansion member (32) to limit the movement of the expansion member (32) along the axial direction of the front shell (312), and the rear end of the rear shell (313) is provided with a through hole for the second end of the push rod (33) to pass through.

8. The pluggable current lead connector according to claim 7, characterized in that: A guide column (3123) is provided in the front shell (312). The first end of the push rod (33) is provided with a guide hole that cooperates with the guide column (3123).

9. The pluggable current lead connector according to claim 8, characterized in that: The guide post (3123) is prismatic, and the guide hole is adapted to the shape of the guide post (3123); and / or, The inner cavity of the front shell (312) is prism-shaped, the guide groove (311) is provided on the prism surface of the inner cavity, and the first end of the push rod (33) is adapted to the shape of the inner cavity.

10. The pluggable current lead connector according to claim 7, characterized in that: The outer wall of the front shell (312) is provided with a limiting portion for limiting the matching length of the rear shell (313) and the front shell (312), the limiting portion being capable of abutting against the front end surface of the rear shell (313), and the front guide groove (3121) and the rear guide groove (3122) being respectively located on both sides of the limiting portion; The distance between the closed end of the rear shell (313) and the rear end face of the front shell (312) is at least equal to A guide plate (331) is provided on the push rod (33) along the length of the expansion member (32) in the axial direction of the shell (31), and the guide plate (331) is adapted to the shape of the inner cavity of the rear shell (313) and is used to guide the movement of the second end of the push rod (33).

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