HTS Field Coil Winding With Overlapping Tapes for Strain Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current high temperature superconducting (HTS) magnet winding methods face challenges such as strain on tapes at sharp turns, difficulty in achieving non-uniform critical current distribution, increased degradation risk due to prolonged elevated temperature exposure, and complexity in handling long HTS tapes for complex coil shapes, especially for coils with large cross-sections or those requiring multiple tape spools.
Innovation Solution
A winding method using overlapping HTS tapes with a substrate to separate turns, where each tape overlaps the previous one by at least 50% of its length, allowing for variable tape lengths and enabling the construction of coils with graded critical current distribution, and an apparatus for automating this process with a spool, feeding mechanism, tape cutter, propulsion system, and controller to manage tape placement and bonding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If long HTS tapes are used for complex coil shapes, then the coil can be wound continuously, but the tapes experience increased strain and degradation risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the continuous HTS tape into multiple shorter tape segments that are wound sequentially. Each segment is handled independently, reducing the cumulative strain on any single tape portion and allowing for easier replacement and quality control between segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary bonding between adjacent tape segments during the winding process, creating overlapping joints before the coil is fully assembled. This ensures mechanical continuity and electrical connectivity are established in advance, reducing the risk of failure during operation.
2Ease of manufacture
If uniform HTS tape distribution is used, then manufacturing is simpler, but graded critical current distribution cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements variable spacing and overlapping configurations of HTS tapes at different locations around the coil. By adjusting the number of tapes, their spacing, and overlap lengths in specific regions, the critical current distribution can be graded to match the local magnetic field requirements, with simpler configurations in low-field regions and more密集 arrangements in high-field regions.
3Quantity of substance
If multiple tape spools are used for large cross-section coils, then the coil can be constructed, but handling and alignment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple tape feeding operations into a coordinated winding process where multiple tape spools are fed simultaneously or sequentially through a unified winding mechanism. The tapes are bonded together in overlapping sections as they are wound, combining their current-carrying capacities while maintaining a single integrated winding operation that simplifies alignment and tension control.
4Strength
If HTS tapes are exposed to elevated temperatures for prolonged periods, then bonding can be achieved, but degradation risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent minimizes the duration of elevated temperature exposure by optimizing the bonding process to complete quickly. This may involve using fast-curing adhesives, rapid heating methods, or pre-positioning tapes with temporary fixtures before final bonding, thereby rushing through the thermal processing step to achieve adequate bond strength without prolonged degradation exposure.
Data Source
AI summary
A high temperature superconducting. HTS, field coil. The HITS field coil comprises a plurality of HITS tapes (510) arranged to form turns of the HITS field coil, and a substrate (500) separating each of the turns. The turns form a coiled path around an inner perimeter of the field coil, wherein distance from the inner perimeter of the field coil increases monotonically with movement in a first direction along the coiled path. For each HITS tape except the radially innermost HITS tape, each end of the HITS tape is offset in the first direction from the corresponding end of an adjacent HITS tape which is radially inward of the said HITS tape, and the HITS tape overlaps the adjacent HITS tape over at least 50% of the length of the adjacent HTS tape. Each HITS tape has a length less than a perimeter of the coil plus the magnitude of the offset between one end of the HITS tape and the corresponding end of the adjacent HITS tape which is radially outward of the HITS tape.