Reinforced Supporting Base for Rigid Superconducting Magnet Coils

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional superconducting magnets using dry cooling technology face challenges with insufficient rigidity and strength, requiring expensive bolt insertion members on fiberglass supporting bases, which increases costs and manufacturing complexity.

Innovation Solution

A supporting base with an annular body and a coaxially arranged reinforcing hoop, where the reinforcing hoop is sleeved and fixed on the outer surface of the supporting base body, providing a connection interface for bracket units and tension rods without the need for bolt insertion members on the fiberglass material, and utilizing stainless steel for enhanced rigidity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If multiple annular supporting bases made of fiberglass are provided spaced apart on the magnet to increase rigidity, then the rigidity of the magnet is improved, but expensive bolt insertion members are required on the inside of the fiberglass and additional manufacturing steps are needed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverigidity of the magnetVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The supporting base is divided into two functional parts: an annular supporting base body made of fiberglass for structural support, and a separate annular reinforcing hoop made of metal (such as stainless steel or aluminum alloy) that is sleeved on the outer surface of the supporting base body. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specialized function while avoiding the need for bolt insertion members in the fiberglass.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The supporting base combines two different materials with complementary properties: fiberglass providing electrical insulation and basic structural support, and metal providing enhanced rigidity and strength. The composite structure of the supporting base body and reinforcing hoop works together to achieve the required mechanical performance without the complexity of embedding fasteners in fiberglass.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If multiple annular supporting bases made of fiberglass are provided spaced apart on the magnet to increase rigidity, then the rigidity of the magnet is improved, but the cost increases due to expensive bolt insertion members

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverigidity of the magnetVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If the material of the supporting base is fiberglass, then electrical insulation is provided, but it is difficult to fix the bottoms of bolts to fiberglass

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical insulationVSAvoidease of fixing bolts

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The reinforcing hoop acts as an intermediary between the fiberglass supporting base body and the bracket units. It provides a suitable surface for fixing bracket units while the fiberglass base body maintains its electrical insulation function, thus resolving the conflict between insulation and ease of fastening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Quantity of substance

If dry cooling technology is used to reduce liquid helium requirements and costs, then operating costs are reduced, but the hardness of the coil and overall magnet is reduced making the magnet more prone to deformation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid helium usageVSAvoidhardness of the magnet

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The reinforcing hoop is designed as an annular structure with a specific cross-sectional shape that optimizes its reinforcing effect. The curved geometry of the hoop provides efficient structural reinforcement while maintaining compatibility with the cylindrical geometry of the magnet assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentUS20240161954A1Supporting Base, a Superconducting Magnet Assembly, and a Method for Manufacturing the Supporting Base

Publication Date: 2024.05.16 SIEMENS HEALTHCARE LTD

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a supporting base, a superconducting magnet assembly, and a method for manufacturing the supporting base. The supporting base comprises an annular supporting base body and a reinforcing hoop, the axes of the supporting base body and reinforcing hoop are both arranged coaxially with the axis of the inner coil, and the reinforcing hoop is sleeved and fixed on an outer surface of the supporting base body, wherein first connecting parts are provided on the reinforcing hoop, and bracket units for supporting a shield coil of a superconducting magnet can be connected to the reinforcing hoop using the first connecting parts. By means of providing the reinforcing hoop, the rigidity of the whole inner coil is increased, the thickness of the supporting base body is decreased, and material costs are reduced; the reinforcing hoop provides a connection interface for the bracket units, and the bracket units can be directly connected to the reinforcing hoop, further reducing material costs.