Nested Oxide Superconducting Bulk Magnet for Uniform Magnetic Field

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Solution Overview

Problem

Oxide bulk magnets with RE2BaCuO5 phase dispersed in REBa2Cu3O7-x phase exhibit non-uniform magnetic flux distribution due to four-fold symmetry during crystal growth, making them unsuitable for efficient use in magnetic levitation devices and motors, and the pulse magnetization method further complicates achieving a strong and uniform magnetic field.

Innovation Solution

The oxide superconducting bulk magnet is manufactured with a nested structure of RE2BaCuO5 phase dispersed in REBa2Cu3O7-x phase, where oxide bulks are arranged to form a nested configuration with interposed sections like resin or solder to restrict magnetic flux movement, reducing disturbance and breakage during pulse magnetization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a monolithic oxide bulk magnet is used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the magnetic flux distribution is non-uniform due to four-fold symmetry

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidmagnetic flux distribution uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The oxide bulk magnet is divided into multiple bulks arranged in a nested configuration, where each bulk contributes to the overall magnetic field. This segmentation allows the magnetic flux from multiple bulks to combine and compensate for the four-fold symmetry distortion inherent in individual bulks, achieving more uniform magnetic flux distribution while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through modular assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple oxide bulks are arranged in a nested configuration where smaller bulks are positioned within the structure of larger bulks. This nested arrangement optimizes the spatial distribution of magnetic flux sources, allowing the combined magnetic fields to cancel out the four-fold symmetry distortion and produce a more uniform overall magnetic flux distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Productivity

If pulse magnetization is applied to a monolithic oxide bulk, then the magnetization process is efficient, but magnetic flux jump and breakage occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetization efficiencyVSAvoidmagnetic field stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By dividing the oxide bulk into multiple smaller bulks, the stress and magnetic flux jump effects during pulse magnetization are distributed across multiple units rather than concentrated in a single monolithic structure. This reduces the likelihood of catastrophic failure and maintains magnetic field stability while preserving the efficiency of pulse magnetization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The nested arrangement of multiple oxide bulks provides a structural configuration that inherently cushions against magnetic flux jump and breakage during pulse magnetization. The distributed structure absorbs and dissipates stress more effectively than a monolithic bulk, preventing catastrophic failure while maintaining magnetization efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Duration of action of stationary object

If repetitive pulse magnetization is performed, then the magnetic field strength can be maintained, but breakage of the oxide bulk occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic field maintenanceVSAvoidstructural integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The oxide bulk is segmented into multiple smaller units arranged in a nested configuration. This segmentation distributes the mechanical stress and fatigue from repetitive pulse magnetization across multiple units, preventing the accumulation of damage that would lead to breakage in a monolithic structure, while maintaining the ability to sustain strong magnetic fields over time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The nested multi-bulk structure provides inherent cushioning against the repetitive stress of pulse magnetization. This configuration absorbs and dissipates mechanical energy more effectively, preventing fatigue-induced breakage and enabling long-term maintenance of strong magnetic fields without structural failure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 enables the stable generation of a strong and uniform magnetic field, maintaining symmetry and reducing breakage, thus enhancing the magnetic field's uniformity and reproducibility even under repetitive pulse magnetization.

Implementation Method 1

A bulk of an oxide superconductor in which an RE 2 BaCuO 5 phase is dispersed within an REBa 2 Cu 3 O 7-x phase has a high critical current density (Jc), such that when being excited by a magnetization method such as cooling in a magnetic field (magnetic cooling) and a pulse magnetization, the bulk may be used as an oxide superconducting bulk magnet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuperconductivity: Superconductivity

Implementation Method 2

oxide bulks are arranged to form a nested configuration with interposed sections like resin or solder to restrict magnetic flux movement, reducing disturbance and breakage during pulse magnetization

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic flux trapping: Magnetic Hysteresis

Data Source

PatentEP2511917B1Oxide superconducting bulk magnet member
Publication Date: 2018.11.14 NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORP
  • EP2511917B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP2511917B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP2511917B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

An oxide superconducting bulk magnet member includes a plurality of bulk sections that have outer circumferences with outer circumferential dimensions different from each other and are disposed in a manner such that among the outer circumferences, an outer circumference in which the outer circumferential dimension is relatively large surrounds a small outer circumference; and interposed sections that are disposed between a pair of the bulk sections that are adjacent to each other, wherein a gap is formed between the bulk sections adjacent to each other, each of the bulk sections is an oxide bulk in which an RE2BaCuO5 phase is dispersed within an REBa2Cu3O7-x phase, and a bulk section having the smallest outer circumferential dimension among the bulk sections has a columnar shape or a ring shape, and bulk sections other than the bulk section having the smallest outer circumferential dimension have a ring shape.