HTS Magnet Coil Winding With Shunt Cables for Current Sharing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current high temperature superconductor magnets face challenges in achieving efficient and stable operation, particularly in tokamaks, due to the need for large machines and complex plasma confinement, which is difficult to achieve with conventional designs, especially in regions with asymmetric magnetic fields and temperature gradients.
Innovation Solution
The method involves winding high temperature superconducting (HTS) coils with strategically placed HTS shunt cables to allow current sharing and grading, enabling variable HTS distribution within the coil to manage magnetic field asymmetry and temperature variations, thereby minimizing HTS usage and maintaining uniform critical current across the coil.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If conventional tokamak designs are used to achieve fusion reactions, then plasma volume can be increased to improve energy confinement time, but the machine size becomes huge and operation becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the magnetic field configuration parameters by introducing a spherical tokamak design with a small aspect ratio (a/R < 0.5), fundamentally altering the plasma confinement geometry to achieve better confinement in a compact configuration rather than scaling up conventional tokamak sizes
2Volume of stationary object
If a compact spherical tokamak is used to reduce machine size, then plasma confinement time improves, but the central column diameter becomes very small creating design challenges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing enhanced cooling and structural support specifically in the central column region where heat loads and magnetic stresses are most intense, while allowing other regions to have simpler configurations, thus managing the small diameter constraint without compromising overall performance
3Force
If HTS coils are used to generate strong magnetic fields, then plasma confinement capability improves, but temperature gradients and asymmetric magnetic fields cause non-uniform current distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by varying the HTS tape configuration, orientation, and density in different regions of the coil to compensate for asymmetric magnetic field distributions and temperature gradients, ensuring more uniform current density and stress distribution throughout the coil structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic adjustment capabilities through adjustable coil pre-stress mechanisms and flexible mounting systems that allow the HTS coil to adapt to thermal expansion and magnetic field changes, maintaining optimal current distribution under varying operating conditions
4Reliability
If more HTS material is used to handle asymmetric magnetic fields, then magnetic field control improves, but HTS material usage increases and cost rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes HTS material distribution by concentrating higher densities of HTS tapes in regions experiencing the most severe magnetic field asymmetries and stress concentrations, while using fewer tapes in less critical regions, thus achieving reliable magnetic field control with minimized total HTS material usage
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 approach allows for more efficient use of HTS materials, ensures uniform temperature margins, and facilitates easier quench management by allowing current sharing between the main coil and shunt cables, enhancing the stability and efficiency of HTS magnets in complex magnetic field environments.
Implementation Method 1
an HTS coil cable arranged to form a spiral having a plurality of turns
Implementation Method 2
one or more HTS shunt cables, each arranged between a respective pair of adjacent turns
Data Source
AI summary
A method of manufacturing an HTS coil is provided. The method comprises winding an HTS coil cable to produce a coil having a plurality of turns. During winding of a turn of the coil, one or more HTS shunt cables are placed adjacent to the previous turn of the coil along a first arc of the coil, and then the turn is wound such that the HTS shunt cable is sandwiched between the turn and the previous turn of the coil such that current can be shared between the HTS shunt cable and the HTS coil cable.