Hybrid Halbach Magnet Array for Large-Bore Gyrotron Fields

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current technologies for 2nd harmonic gyrotrons lack a non-cryogenic, large bore diameter with high magnitude and uniform magnetic field, with all-PM solutions having too small a bore diameter and superconducting coils requiring large cryostats and long cool-down times.

Innovation Solution

A hybrid Halbach permanent and electromagnet array comprising toroidal-shaped sets of electromagnet coils and toroidal-shaped permanent magnets, arranged concentrically to form an open central bore, generating a substantially uniform axial magnetic field without the need for cryogenic cooling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If all-permanent magnet solutions are used, then magnetic field magnitude is achieved, but bore diameter becomes too small

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemagnetic field magnitudeVSAvoidbore diameter

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines permanent magnets and electromagnet coils into a hybrid array, where permanent magnets provide baseline magnetic field magnitude while electromagnet coils extend the bore diameter and enable field tuning, resolving the contradiction between field strength and bore size

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The hybrid array uses composite construction with permanent magnet blocks and electromagnet coil assemblies working together, leveraging the strengths of both materials to achieve both high magnetic field magnitude and large bore diameter simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If superconducting coils are used, then magnetic field uniformity is improved, but system complexity and cool-down time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemagnetic field uniformityVSAvoidcryogenic system requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses conventional electromagnet coils instead of expensive superconducting coils, accepting that the coils will operate at higher temperatures and require more power, thereby eliminating complex cryogenic systems while maintaining sufficient field uniformity for the application

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical cryogenic cooling system with an electrical power supply system, substituting complex thermal management infrastructure with simpler electrical components that can operate at room temperature

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Illumination intensity

If hybrid Halbach permanent and electromagnet array is used, then magnetic field magnitude increases, but power requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemagnetic field magnitudeVSAvoidpower requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The permanent magnets provide a partial magnetic field that satisfies the baseline magnitude requirement, while the electromagnet coils provide only the additional field needed to achieve the target uniformity and distribution, avoiding excessive power consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters by using permanent magnets to establish a static baseline field, allowing the electromagnet coils to operate at lower current levels and achieve the same effective magnetic field magnitude with reduced power input

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 provides a large, uniform axial magnetic field suitable for 2nd or other harmonic gyrotrons with reduced power and current requirements, eliminating the need for ferromagnetic materials and enabling higher magnetic field levels than existing technologies, while avoiding the limitations of cryogenic systems.

Implementation Method 1

A combination of magnetic fields in the permanent magnets and magnetic fields in the coils generates a substantially uniform axial magnetic field in the bore

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic Field: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

A plurality of toroidal-shaped sets of electromagnet coils and a plurality of toroidal-shaped permanent magnets... arranged concentrically to form an open central bore

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetism: Electromagnet

Data Source

PatentUS12165826B1Hybrid Halbach permanent and electro magnet array for harmonic gyrotrons

Publication Date: 2024.12.10 RCT SYSTEMS INC

AI summary

A non-cryogenic electro-permanent magnet for use in a gyrotron comprises a plurality of toroidal-shaped sets of electromagnet coils and a plurality of toroidal-shaped permanent magnets, each permanent magnet comprising a plurality of arc segment blocks. Each set of the coils is separated from an adjacent set of the coils by one or more of the permanent magnets disposed between the adjacent sets of coils, such that the coils and the permanent magnets are arranged concentrically to form an open central bore. A combination of magnetic fields in the permanent magnets and magnetic fields in the coils generates a substantially uniform axial magnetic field in the bore.