Molded Barrel HTS Coil Assembly for Cosine-Theta Field Magnets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current superconducting magnet technologies face challenges in achieving higher magnetic field strengths using High Temperature Superconducting (HTS) materials, particularly due to the structural limitations of REBCO tapes and Bi-2212 conductors, which are not readily deformable and require additional support structures to manage mechanical stresses and maintain performance in particle accelerator magnets.
Innovation Solution
The Conductor on Molded Barrel (COMB) magnet technology employs a cylindrical support structure with a continuous cable channel to house HTS coils in a cosine-theta geometry, allowing for improved magnetic field enhancement by reducing mechanical stresses and positional tolerances, and can be manufactured using additive manufacturing techniques, enabling the use of unconventional conductor geometries like round, square, or rectangular shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If REBCO tapes or Bi-2212 conductors are used to achieve high magnetic field strengths, then the magnetic field performance is improved, but the mechanical deformability deteriorates making the conductors not readily deformable and requiring additional support structures
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible former is introduced as an intermediary component between the HTS conductor and the coil structure. The former provides mechanical support and enables the brittle HTS conductor to be formed into coil geometries without direct deformation of the conductor itself, thus resolving the contradiction between achieving high magnetic field strength and maintaining conductor deformability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the mechanical state parameters by operating at cryogenic temperatures where the HTS materials exhibit their superconducting properties. At these low temperatures, the materials maintain their structural integrity while achieving the desired magnetic field performance, effectively changing the temperature parameter to resolve the deformability issue
2Stability of the object's composition
If additional support structures are added to manage mechanical stresses in HTS coils, then the mechanical stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible former serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support, enables coil formation, and maintains conductor positioning. By merging these functions into a single component rather than using separate support structures, the invention reduces device complexity while maintaining mechanical stability
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible former is designed as a multi-functional component that performs structural support, geometric shaping, and stress distribution functions. This universal component eliminates the need for multiple specialized support structures, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining mechanical stability
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional cosine-theta coil geometries are used with LTS materials, then the magnetic field uniformity is improved, but the adaptability to HTS materials deteriorates due to structural limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible former allows the coil geometry to be dynamically adapted to different HTS conductor types and configurations. Rather than being constrained to fixed conventional geometries, the system can be configured for different HTS materials (REBCO, Bi-2212, etc.), providing versatility while maintaining manufacturing precision through the guiding structure of the former
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 boosts magnetic field strength, reduces fabrication complexity, and minimizes labor, while maintaining high current densities and flexibility, enabling the use of HTS materials in particle accelerators, potentially reaching field strengths beyond those achievable with Low Temperature Superconducting materials.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic coil made of a superconducting material and configured in a cosine-theta geometry
Implementation Method 2
the superposition of magnetic fields from currents flowing in all conductors generates a substantially uniform field
Data Source
AI summary
A Conductor on Molded Barrel (COMB) magnet assembly optimized for High Temperature Superconducting (HTS) materials. The magnet assembly comprises a magnetic coil(s) carried by a conductor support structure and configured in cosine-theta geometry. Created using additive manufacturing, the conductor support structure features a continuous cable channel that fittedly carries and positions elongated straight portion(s) of the magnetic coil(s) parallel to a magnetic axis. The conductor support structure may be cylindrically shaped and longitudinally bored, with the continuous cable channel comprising an outer channel portion (distal on the cylinder) and an inner channel portion (proximal on the cylinder). A transition hole that joins the outer channel portion and the inner channel portion allows a single magnetic coil to be wound along both the outer and inner surfaces of the conductor support structure. The conductor support structure may be fabricated as longitudinally-symmetrical halves, and secured for operation using azimuthal and/or midplane shims.