Jointless Superconducting Multi-Coils for High-Field Magnet Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional high magnetic field magnets require large amounts of material and incur high costs due to the need for solder joints or narrow tapes, which reduce mechanical stability and critical current, limiting achievable magnetic fields.

Innovation Solution

A method for manufacturing jointless superconducting multi-coils by winding pre-coils around mandrels to form coils without joints, using high-temperature superconducting materials like REBCO tapes, allowing for a compact design with improved mechanical stability and critical current.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If solder joints are used to connect coils in small-bore magnets, then the magnetic field can be increased, but the critical current is reduced due to heat generated from solder joints

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic fieldVSAvoidcritical current
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the solder joint from the coil connection system. By using a jointless winding method where the superconducting tape continues directly from one coil to the next without solder connections, the harmful thermal effects are removed while maintaining electrical continuity and mechanical integrity of the coil assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a mandrel as an intermediary tool during the winding process. The mandrel enables precise control of the winding geometry and tension, allowing the superconducting tape to be wound continuously around the bore without requiring solder joints to maintain structural integrity or electrical connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Power

If narrow tapes are used to reduce bore size, then the magnetic field can be increased, but the mechanical stability and critical current are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic fieldVSAvoidmechanical stability
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the geometric parameters of the winding process by controlling the bore size, winding tension, and layer spacing during the mandrel-based winding. This allows optimization of the mechanical stability and magnetic field performance without being constrained by narrow tape dimensions, as the wide tape can be precisely positioned and tensioned during winding to achieve the desired compact configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Power

If more and larger coils are stacked to increase magnetic field in HTS magnets, then the magnetic field can be increased, but the cost and design complexity are drastically increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic fieldVSAvoiddesign complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the coil manufacturing process into modular stages: winding individual coils on separate mandrels, then assembling them into the final magnet structure. This modular approach simplifies the overall design complexity by allowing each coil to be independently optimized and manufactured, then systematically assembled, rather than requiring complex integrated winding of multiple coils simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention performs preliminary winding of individual coils on mandrels before final assembly. This preliminary action allows precise control of each coil's geometry and properties independently, simplifying the overall design process and reducing the complexity of coordinating multiple coils in the final assembly, while still achieving high magnetic fields through systematic stacking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enables the creation of high magnetic fields up to 47 Tesla in compact magnets using wide HTS tapes without solder joints, reducing material and design complexity while maintaining mechanical stability and critical current.

Implementation Method 1

High temperature superconducting (HTS) materials

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuperconductivity: Superconductivity

Implementation Method 2

high magnetic fields are important for the applications of nuclear magnetic resonances spectroscopy, accelerators, and fusions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4700803A1Jointless superconducting multi-coils
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 ETH ZURICH
  • EP4700803A1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1e
  • EP4700803A1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2e
  • EP4700803A1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3D

AI summary

A method of manufacturing a jointless superconducting multi-coil (1, 1') comprises the steps of providing a superconducting element (2) and winding a first part (2b1) around at least part of a first mandrel (3) so as to form a first pre-coil (4) of a first coil (5), winding at least part around at least part of the first mandrel (3) so as to form the first coil (5), and i) winding a second part (2b2) around at least part of a second mandrel (6) so as to form a second pre-coil (7) of a second coil (8) and winding at least part around at least part of the second mandrel (6) so as to form the second coil (8), or ii) winding a second part (2b2) around at least part of the first mandrel (3) so as to form a second pre-coil (7') of a second coil (8') and winding at least part around at least part of the first mandrel (3) so as to form the second coil (8'). The multi-coil (1, 1') comprises the first coil (5) and the second coil (8, 8') being arranged above one another with respect to a longitudinal direction (Lc, Lc') of the multi-coil (1, 1').