Helium Inlet Pipe Insulation for Superconducting Magnets
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Solution Overview
Problem
The insulation treatment of irregular parts in superconducting magnets, particularly the helium inlet pipe, poses challenges due to their complex shape, affecting the electrical insulation properties of the magnet during vacuum pressure impregnation with insulating resin.
Innovation Solution
A method involving welding a metal conduit to a superconducting conductor, wrapping with composite insulating tape, covering with fiberglass cloth, filling spaces with G10, and using a skirt-shaped insulating material fixed with binding tape, all made from composite materials like fiberglass and polyimide, to ensure effective insulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional insulation treatment methods are used on irregular parts like the helium inlet pipe, then the insulation treatment process becomes complex and difficult to implement, but the electrical insulation properties may still be compromised due to the irregular shape
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-welding a metal conduit to the superconducting conductor before insulation treatment. This preliminary structural preparation creates a standardized base for subsequent insulation layers, making the treatment process more manageable and reliable for irregular parts like the helium inlet pipe
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining multiple insulation layers including fiberglass cloth, G10 material, and resin. This multi-layer composite structure ensures reliable electrical insulation while accommodating the irregular geometry of the helium inlet pipe, resolving the contradiction between insulation reliability and manufacturing ease
2Reliability
If the helium inlet pipe is designed with its irregular shape for cooling functionality, then the cooling performance is optimized, but the insulation treatment becomes challenging and may result in insulation defects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing enhanced insulation specifically at the irregular helium inlet pipe region using a metal conduit as a base, followed by multiple insulation layers (fiberglass cloth, G10, resin). This localized enhanced insulation approach addresses the specific challenges of the irregular shape while maintaining overall insulation performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a metal conduit as an intermediary structure between the superconducting conductor and the insulation layers. This intermediary component provides a standardized surface for insulation application, bridging the gap between the irregular pipe shape and the required insulation quality
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an insulation treatment method for a helium inlet pipe of a superconducting magnet. The superconducting magnet has a structure with varying T-shaped cross section. The irregular parts of the magnet are filled with G10 to reduce the difficulty in the insulation treatment caused by the irregular shape. Moreover, a skirt-shaped insulating material is provided around the metal conduit to overcome the reduction in the insulation electrical performance caused by the defects in the insulation treatment for such irregular parts. The application designs a sample structure for insulation treatment, and can wrap the superconducting magnet having the T-shaped varying cross-section with insulating materials before vacuum pressure impregnation, meeting special requirements of high-voltage insulation treatment for the superconducting magnet with a complex structure under low temperature and vacuum environment.