Superconductive Magnet Filling Using Helium Pressure Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for filling superconductive magnets with liquid helium often result in helium losses due to quenches caused by cold gaseous helium entering the magnet, and slow filling rates can lead to inaccurate level meter readings and increased risk of quenching, especially when relying on the whistling sound indicator for transfer completion.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the measurement of gaseous helium flow rate and pressure to determine the optimal stopping point before the dewar whistles, using a ratio of 6 or 7 to 1 for push gas to liquid helium flow to detect slow fills, and employing a control unit to stop the helium flow when pressure peaks and begins to drop, thereby preventing helium loss and quenching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If liquid helium is transferred from dewar to magnet using push gas method, then filling speed is improved, but helium loss increases due to quenching when cold gaseous helium enters the magnet
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the temperature of the push gas before it enters the liquid helium dewar. When the temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold indicating cold gaseous helium is approaching the liquid helium, the system automatically stops the gas flow to prevent quenching and helium loss, while still allowing efficient transfer to occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary temperature monitoring and assessment of push gas conditions before the cold gaseous helium can enter the liquid helium. By detecting temperature changes in advance, the system can prepare to stop the flow before quenching occurs, preventing both helium loss and maintaining filling efficiency.
2Loss of substance
If transfer is stopped at whistling sound indicator, then helium loss is reduced, but filling time increases and level measurement accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the acoustic whistling sound indicator with an electronic temperature monitoring system. Temperature sensors continuously measure the push gas temperature and provide objective, quantifiable data for determining when to stop transfer, eliminating the subjectivity and delay associated with acoustic detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature monitoring system acts as an intermediary between the push gas flow and the decision to stop transfer. Rather than directly responding to whistling sounds, the system uses temperature as an intermediate parameter that provides earlier, more accurate indication of when cold gaseous helium is approaching the liquid helium.
3Reliability
If slow fill condition occurs, then quench risk increases, but level meter accuracy cannot reliably detect the condition
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the monitoring parameter from level meter readings to push gas temperature measurement. Temperature provides a direct indication of the thermal state of the gas approaching the liquid helium, enabling reliable detection of slow fill conditions and quench risks independent of level meter accuracy or cryostat capacity variations.
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 reduces helium losses and minimizes the risk of magnet quenching by accurately determining the fill completion point and detecting slow fills, ensuring efficient and reliable liquid helium transfer in superconductive magnet filling processes.
Implementation Method 1
feeding gaseous helium to a container of liquefied helium; feeding liquefied helium to the magnet
Implementation Method 2
measuring the flow rate of the gaseous helium to the container
Implementation Method 3
measuring the pressure of the gaseous helium in the container; stopping the flow of the liquefied helium when the measured pressure reaches a peak value and begins to drop
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for filling superconductive magnets is disclosed by using gaseous helium to control the flow of liquefied helium from a container to a magnet. By measuring the pressure of the gaseous helium in the container of liquefied helium, it can be determined when to stop the flow of liquefied helium. This can reduce quenches and helium losses which can occur during the transfer of liquid helium from the dewar to the superconductive magnet.