Support Rings for Superconducting Coil Thermal Contraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional support structures for superconducting magnets face challenges in maintaining concentricity and experiencing stress concentrations and point loading, leading to inaccurate coil center location and deformation due to thermal mismatch and magnetic loading.
Innovation Solution
The use of support rings bonded to axial extremities of the coil structure with radial slots and protruding brackets that minimize shear loading and provide a large bonded area, allowing for relative movement and maintaining vertical support, thereby reducing mechanical deformation and ensuring thermal isolation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If coils are wound into cavities on a cylindrical former and impregnated with resin, then the coil structure is supported, but the coils hang loose or require clamps resulting in point loading and stress concentrations
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is segmented into multiple discrete support members distributed around the coil circumference, rather than using a continuous former. This segmentation allows the coil to be supported at multiple points without point loading, as each support member can independently accommodate thermal contraction while providing distributed support.
Solution Approach 2:
The support members are designed to be dynamically adjustable or flexible, allowing them to accommodate the thermal contraction of the coil when cooled to operating temperature. This dynamic capability enables the support structure to maintain proper coil positioning and concentricity without imposing rigid constraints that would cause stress concentrations.
2Stability of the object's composition
If coil clamps are used to hold coils onto the former, then the coils are secured, but the radially inner surface of the coils does not touch the former and point loading occurs
Solution Approach 1:
An intermediary substance, such as a soft compliant material or adhesive layer, is introduced between the support members and the coil surface. This intermediary distributes the clamping force across a larger area of the coil, preventing point loading and stress concentrations while maintaining stable coil positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure utilizes parameter changes in material properties, specifically employing materials with different thermal expansion coefficients or compliant materials that can deform to accommodate thermal contraction. This allows the support structure to maintain stable coil positioning without creating stress concentrations during temperature transitions.
3Manufacturing precision
If a rigid support structure is used to maintain concentricity, then alignment is maintained, but thermal mismatch causes deformation due to differential contraction
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure employs parameter changes by using materials with thermal expansion coefficients matched to the coil material, or by incorporating adjustable elements that can compensate for differential thermal contraction. This maintains coil concentricity while preventing deformation during temperature transitions from room temperature to operating temperature.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure incorporates dynamic elements that can adjust their position or stiffness in response to thermal contraction. This dynamic adaptation allows the structure to maintain coil concentricity throughout the temperature range without imposing rigid constraints that would cause deformation.
4Manufacturing precision
If support structures provide fixed positioning, then alignment is maintained, but relative movement due to thermal mismatch is constrained causing stress
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure incorporates dynamic, movable elements that can accommodate thermal contraction while maintaining proper alignment. These elements may include sliding joints, flexible connectors, or adjustable positioning mechanisms that allow controlled movement without compromising coil integrity or alignment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure is divided into segmented, independently movable components rather than a single rigid structure. This segmentation allows each component to move independently to accommodate thermal mismatch while maintaining overall alignment, preventing stress buildup that would compromise structural integrity.
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 solution effectively maintains coil concentricity and reduces deformation by allowing axial and radial movement, minimizing shear forces, and preventing quenching, while ensuring accurate alignment and thermal isolation.
Implementation Method 1
support rings bonded to axial extremities of the coil structure
Implementation Method 2
When cooled to operating temperature, the former tends to contract to a greater extent than the coils
Data Source
AI summary
An arrangement for supporting a cylindrical superconducting coil structure has recesses in an axial end-surface of the coil structure, and support brackets that individually horizontally protrude into the recesses, such that a vertical loading on the support brackets bears the weight of the coil structure. Opposite ends of the support brackets engage a support member, which supports the support brackets engaged therein, thereby also bearing the weight of the coil structure.