HTS Magnet Coil Edge Current Feed for Quench-Resistant Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
High temperature superconductor (HTS) magnets face issues with electrical current supply, particularly in flying lead joints where cyclical movement and thermal contraction lead to degradation, and quenching due to fluctuations in temperature or magnetic fields, causing heat buildup and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a ring-shaped conductor element with an electrical contact surface that provides contact around the axial edge of the HTS coil, allowing for a dense winding pack without flying leads, and the use of an interfacial conductor layer for heat and current transfer, along with dielectric or electrically resistive layers for insulation and thermal management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If flying lead joints are used to supply electrical current to HTS coils, then electrical current can be supplied to the coil, but the HTS tapes are vulnerable to cyclical movement and thermal contraction causing degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from linear flying lead connections to a distributed ring-shaped contact around the axial edge of the coil. This dimensional change from point-to-point connection to circumferential contact eliminates the vulnerability of individual flying leads to cyclical movement and thermal contraction, as the ring structure distributes mechanical stress around the entire coil perimeter.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical current supply is segmented from a single flying lead connection into multiple contact points distributed around the ring-shaped conductor element. This segmentation allows the current to be supplied through many small contact zones rather than one vulnerable connection point, reducing the impact of local mechanical degradation.
2Ease of operation
If flying lead joints are used, then electrical connection can be made, but exposed sections of HTS tape are vulnerable to damage and do not benefit from proximity for heat and current dissipation
Solution Approach 1:
The ring-shaped conductor element provides thermal management in the radial dimension by surrounding the axial edge of the coil. This allows heat dissipation to occur circumferentially around the coil rather than through isolated flying lead paths, improving thermal management and reducing hot spots.
Solution Approach 2:
The ring-shaped conductor element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides electrical current supply, mechanical support, and thermal management. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate flying leads and improves overall system reliability by integrating protective functions into the current supply structure.
3Ease of operation
If flying lead scheme is used, then electrical current can be supplied, but expensive precision machined parts are required to guide and support the flying leads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex precision machined guide structures from the system by eliminating flying leads entirely. The ring-shaped conductor element directly contacts the axial edge of the coil, removing the need for intermediate guidance and support components that would require expensive precision machining.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of guiding flying leads from the outside to the coil, the patent inverts the approach by having the ring-shaped conductor element contact the axial edge of the coil directly. This reversal eliminates the need for external guidance structures and simplifies the overall assembly process.
4Productivity
If individual HTS tapes are used in windings, then coil can be formed, but tapes are fragile and easily bent by mishandling during winding and assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual HTS tapes into a dense winding pack where they are closely packed together. This merging provides mutual mechanical support among the tapes, reducing the fragility of individual tapes during handling and assembly. The collective structure of the winding pack is more robust than individual tapes alone.
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 solution minimizes point failures during assembly and operation, reduces the need for costly precision parts, and enhances the performance of HTS magnets by providing a reliable and efficient means of current supply and heat management, thereby improving the stability and efficiency of HTS magnets.
Implementation Method 1
a conductor element comprising an electrical contact surface through which to supply electric current to a portion of at least one of the windings
Implementation Method 2
a coil formed of nested concentric windings, each winding comprising HTS material
Implementation Method 3
dielectric or electrically resistive layers for insulation and thermal management
Implementation Method 4
the use of an interfacial conductor layer for heat and current transfer
Data Source
AI summary
A High Temperature Superconductor, HTS, magnet comprising a coil formed of nested concentric windings. Each winding comprises HTS material. The HTS magnet further comprises a conductor element comprising an electrical contact surface through which to supply electric current to a portion of at least one of the windings. The surface provides electrical contact between the conductor element and an axial edge of the coil substantially around the path of the at least one of the windings.