Structural Thermal Bus Design for Superconducting Magnet Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cryogenic cooling systems for superconducting magnets are complex and costly, requiring significant amounts of liquid cryogen or complex pipe networks, and struggle to efficiently cool systems from room temperature to operating temperature without increasing system complexity or cost.
Innovation Solution
The use of thermal buses comprising a structural part with low thermal conductivity and a high thermal conductivity part in parallel, where the high thermal conductivity part is used to enhance cooling efficiency at cryogenic temperatures while minimizing material cost and mass, leveraging existing structural components for thermal conduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a large quantity of high-purity metal is used for conduction cooling, then cooling efficiency from room temperature to operating temperature is improved, but material cost and mass increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite thermal bus structure combining aluminium (high thermal conductivity) and copper (even higher thermal conductivity) in a layered configuration. The aluminium layer provides bulk thermal conduction with lower mass, while the copper layer enhances thermal conductivity at the interface with the cold mass, achieving superior cooling efficiency without proportionally increasing material mass
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal bus structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides thermal conduction from room temperature to operating temperature, acts as a structural support element, and functions as a radiation shield. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated cooling components, thereby reducing overall material mass while maintaining cooling efficiency
2Temperature
If dedicated thermal buses are used for cooling, then cooling efficiency is improved, but system complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the thermal bus structure with existing structural components of the MRI system. The thermal bus is integrated into the magnet assembly structure, eliminating the need for separate dedicated cooling components. This integration reduces system complexity while maintaining effective thermal conduction from room temperature to operating temperature
Solution Approach 2:
Existing structural components are designed to serve dual purposes: providing mechanical support and functioning as thermal conduction paths. This multi-functionality approach eliminates the need for dedicated thermal buses, reducing system complexity and manufacturing cost while maintaining cooling efficiency
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 provides efficient and cost-effective cooling for superconducting magnets, reducing the need for dedicated thermal buses and minimizing material requirements, while maintaining effective thermal conduction across a wide temperature range from room temperature to operating temperature.
Implementation Method 1
thermal buses comprising a structural part and a high thermal conductivity part thermally in parallel with the structural part
Implementation Method 2
maintaining effective thermal conduction across a wide temperature range from room temperature to operating temperature
Data Source
AI summary
A superconducting magnet device including a plurality of superconducting magnet coils; a structural element mechanically and thermally linked to respective magnet coils to retain them in respective relative positions; and a cooling station thermally connected to a cryogenic refrigerator and to the structural element. A thermally conductive path, which passes through the structural element, is established between the cryogenic refrigerator and the superconducting magnet coils through the structural element.