Superconducting Magnet Current Lead Heating Outside High-Field Zones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Superconducting magnet devices face increased risk of heater failure due to strong magnetic fields and high radiation, making maintenance challenging and leading to downtime, as existing heaters are prone to failure and difficult to access safely.
Innovation Solution
A superconducting magnet device design that includes a heating unit separate from the current lead, using a power supply cable to heat the current lead, allowing for reduced risk of failure and easier maintenance by positioning the heating unit outside the restricted access area where magnetic fields and radiation are lower.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a heater is attached to the coil electrode to prevent freezing, then the antifreezing effect is improved, but the risk of heater failure increases due to strong magnetic fields and radiation
Solution Approach 1:
The heating function is extracted from the current lead assembly and implemented through a separate heating unit positioned outside the vacuum vessel. The heating unit heats the power supply cable which then conducts heat to the current lead, isolating the heating mechanism from the harsh magnetic field and radiation environment inside the vessel while maintaining the antifreezing effect on the current lead
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply cable serves as a thermal intermediary, transferring heat from the heating unit located outside the vacuum vessel to the current lead inside the vessel. This intermediary approach allows the heating function to be performed in a safer environment while still protecting the current lead from freezing
2Reliability
If a heater is attached to the coil electrode, then the antifreezing effect is improved, but the ease of maintenance deteriorates due to restricted access in high magnetic field areas
Solution Approach 1:
The heating unit is extracted from the restricted access area inside the vacuum vessel and positioned outside where personnel can safely access it for maintenance. The current lead remains inside the vessel connected to the superconducting coil, while the heating unit operates externally, allowing routine maintenance without exposing workers to dangerous magnetic fields and radiation
Solution Approach 2:
The heating system is segmented into separate components: the heating unit positioned outside the vacuum vessel and the heated current lead inside the vessel. This segmentation allows the heating unit to be maintained independently in a safe environment while the current lead continues to function inside the high-field region
3Ease of operation
If the heating unit is disposed apart from the current lead, then the safety and ease of maintenance are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply cable serves multiple functions: it provides electrical power to the superconducting coil and simultaneously acts as a thermal conduction path from the heating unit to the current lead. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated heating components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity despite the spatial separation of the heating unit
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
The solution effectively reduces the risk of heating unit failure and enables safe maintenance by isolating the heating unit from the magnetic field and radiation, allowing for continuous operation and efficient antifreezing without direct exposure to hazardous conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a heating unit that is disposed apart from the current lead and heats the current lead via the power supply cable
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a superconducting magnet device including a superconducting coil, a vacuum vessel that accommodates the superconducting coil, a current lead that is connected to the superconducting coil and installed in the vacuum vessel, a power supply cable that is disposed outside the vacuum vessel and connected to the current lead, and a heating unit that is disposed apart from the current lead and heats the current lead via the power supply cable.