Persistent Current Switch Slit Segmentation for Superconducting State Transition
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional superconducting magnets face challenges in efficiently transitioning between superconducting and normal conducting states, leading to refrigerant loss and difficulties in power supply connection due to the lack of slits in the superconducting wire, which complicates the regulation and thermal management of the cooling system.
Innovation Solution
A persistent current switch is designed with slits extending from specific points on the superconducting wire, allowing for controlled current flow transitions between states by heating or cooling the wire, reducing thermal load and facilitating easy regulation, and featuring additional slits at opposite sides to manage current flow sequences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the superconducting wire is heated to transition from superconducting state to normal conducting state, then the current flow can be controlled, but the thermal load on the cooling system increases and refrigerant is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The superconducting wire is divided into multiple segments by introducing slits at specific positions, creating distinct superconducting sections separated by non-superconducting regions. This segmentation allows localized heating of specific segments to control current flow without heating the entire wire, thereby reducing the thermal load on the cooling system while maintaining ease of operation.
2Ease of manufacture
If the superconducting wire lacks slits, then the wire structure is simple, but the connection of power supply is difficult and regulation is complicated
Solution Approach 1:
Slits are introduced at specific positions along the superconducting wire to segment it into multiple sections. These slits create accessible endpoints and intermediate connection points that facilitate power supply connection and enable easy regulation of current flow, while the overall wire structure remains relatively simple and straightforward to manufacture.
3Reliability
If the entire superconducting wire is heated, then the transition to normal conducting state is achieved, but refrigerant loss occurs and cooling system thermal load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The superconducting wire is segmented into multiple sections using slits, allowing localized heating of only the necessary segments to achieve state transition. This localized approach ensures reliable state change in the targeted area while minimizing the volume of refrigerant that needs to be cooled, thereby reducing refrigerant loss and cooling system thermal load.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the superconducting wire are treated differently through the introduction of slits at specific positions. The slited sections can be locally heated to transition between superconducting and normal conducting states, while the rest of the wire remains in its original state. This local quality approach ensures reliable state transition where needed while minimizing overall thermal impact and refrigerant loss.
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
The solution enables efficient transition between superconducting and normal conducting states with reduced thermal load on the cooling system, ensuring stable magnetic field maintenance and easy regulation of the superconducting switch.
Implementation Method 1
Superconductivity is the phenomenon that the electric resistance of materials disappears when temperature of the substance is decreased lower than its critical transition temperature
Implementation Method 2
a portion of the superconducting wire 10, which is designated by reference numeral 60 in FIG. 1B, is heated by a heater 50, the portion 60 of the superconducting wire 10 is changed from the superconducting state to a normal conducting state
Implementation Method 3
the portion 60 of the superconducting wire 10, which is designated by reference numeral 60 in FIG. 1B, is heated by a heater 50
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is the structure of a persistent current switch and a control method for the same. In the switch structure, a portion of a superconducting wire to be used as a switch is formed with slits such that the flow of current is controlled by the switch, to facilitate a transition between the superconducting state and the normal state of the superconducting wire. The structure of the persistent current switch includes a first slit longitudinally extending from a first point on one end of a superconducting wire to a second point and from a third point to a fourth point, the second, third, and fourth points being arranged sequentially in a longitudinal line, and second and third slits provided at opposite sides of a region between the second point and the third point where no first slit exists.