Poloidal Field Coil Assembly Magnetic Null
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Solution Overview
Problem
In tokamaks, the proximity of poloidal field coils to toroidal field coils reduces the critical current of superconducting materials, necessitating a solution to maintain stability and efficiency in magnetic field generation for fusion reactions.
Innovation Solution
A poloidal field coil assembly with inner and outer coils positioned relative to the toroidal field coil to create a magnetic null, reducing the impact on the toroidal field coil's critical current and enhancing stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If poloidal field coils are positioned close to the toroidal field coil to achieve compact design, then device complexity is reduced, but the critical current of the superconducting toroidal field coil decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The poloidal field coil system is divided into two separate coils: an inner poloidal field coil positioned inside the toroidal field coil and an outer poloidal field coil positioned outside the toroidal field coil. This segmentation allows each coil to be optimized for its specific location, enabling compact design while controlling magnetic field interactions to preserve the critical current of the superconducting toroidal field coil.
2Volume of stationary object
If poloidal field coils are positioned close to the toroidal field coil to improve spatial efficiency, then volume is reduced, but magnetic field stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic field environment is made non-uniform by positioning poloidal field coils at different locations (inside and outside the toroidal field coil). This creates locally optimized magnetic field conditions where the combined field from inner and outer poloidal coils produces a null at the toroidal field coil location, maintaining stability while achieving compact overall volume.
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 configuration minimizes the reduction in critical current of the toroidal field coil, improving the stability and efficiency of the magnetic field, thereby supporting longer pulse and more stable operation in tokamaks.
Implementation Method 1
The controller is configured to cause current to be supplied to the inner and outer poloidal field coils such that the combined magnetic field produced by the inner and outer poloidal field coils has a null at the toroidal field coil
Implementation Method 2
superconducting magnets are used for at least the toroidal field (TF) coil of the spherical tokamak
Data Source
AI summary
A poloidal field coil assembly for use in a tokamak. The poloidal field coil assembly comprises inner and outer poloidal field coils and a controller. The inner poloidal field coil is configured for installation inside a toroidal field coil of the tokamak. The outer poloidal field coil is configured for installation outside the toroidal field coil. The controller is configured to cause current to be supplied to the inner and outer poloidal field coils such that the combined magnetic field produced by the inner and outer poloidal field coils has a null at the toroidal field coil.