Backup Converter Switching for Particle Accelerator Inductive Loads
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Particle accelerators frequently experience unscheduled shutdowns due to failures in the converters powering electromagnets, which are critical for maintaining precise magnetic fields and particle beam stability, leading to reduced operational time.
Innovation Solution
A secure device is implemented for each inductive load, comprising a standby converter, a free-wheeling diode, a detection circuit for current anomalies, and a selector switch to seamlessly transfer the load from a faulty converter to a backup, ensuring continuous operation and allowing for maintenance without stopping the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a dedicated converter is assigned to each electromagnet for precise current control, then manufacturing precision and regulation accuracy are improved, but device complexity and failure risk increase due to the large number of converters
Solution Approach 1:
A standby converter is pre-configured and kept ready before any failure occurs. When a dedicated converter fails, the standby converter immediately takes over without requiring system shutdown or complex reconfiguration, thus maintaining current control precision while reducing the impact of converter failures
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates a backup converter as a protective measure against dedicated converter failures. This cushioning element ensures that when any dedicated converter fails, the system can quickly switch to the standby converter, preventing beam loss and maintaining operational precision
2Measurement precision
If multiple converters are used to supply electromagnets, then current regulation accuracy is improved, but reliability decreases due to increased probability of converter failure
Solution Approach 1:
A switching mechanism acts as an intermediary between the dedicated converters and the electromagnets. This switch enables rapid redirection of power supply from a failed dedicated converter to the standby converter, maintaining reliability while preserving the precision current control capability of the dedicated converter architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The standby converter is pre-positioned and pre-configured to immediately assume the role of any failed dedicated converter. This preliminary preparation ensures that when a converter failure occurs, the system can maintain operational continuity without losing the benefits of precise current regulation
3Reliability
If a standby converter is added to replace failed converters, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The standby converter is designed with universal functionality to replace any failed dedicated converter regardless of which specific electromagnet it serves. This multi-functionality approach allows a single standby converter to back up multiple dedicated converters, improving reliability while minimizing the increase in device complexity compared to having multiple standby converters
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution significantly extends the operating time of particle accelerators by quickly switching to backup converters during failures, minimizing downtime and maintaining beam stability within tolerance thresholds.
Implementation Method 1
each electromagnet is powered by a dedicated converter... Each electromagnet is coupled to a designated converter... a free-wheeling diode connected to the inductive load
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The invention relates to a secure power supply device (20) for a plurality of inductive loads (2) each coupled to a dedicated converter (3), the device comprising a backup converter (23) and, for each inductive load: a freewheeling diode (25) connected to the inductive load; a detection circuit (27) for an anomaly in the current flowing in the inductive load; and a selection switch (33) controlled by the detection circuit, adapted to decouple the inductive load from the dedicated converter and to couple the inductive load to said backup converter.