Superconducting Magnet Coil Thermal Interface for Quench Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Superconducting magnet coils in MRI systems experience axial and radial electromagnetic forces during energization, leading to frictional heat generation and potential quench events due to stick-slip motion, which are costly and time-consuming to manage, especially in high-field magnets.
Innovation Solution
A thermal interface with axial channels is integrated between the superconducting coil and its support, intercepting frictional heat with a cooling liquid to reduce heat transfer to the coil, thereby preventing overheating and quench events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a slip plane with low friction is provided to reduce frictional heat generation, then frictional heat is reduced, but stability at the slip plane interface becomes a major limiting risk
Solution Approach 1:
A thermal intercept is introduced as an intermediary component between the coil and the slip plane. This thermal intercept captures frictional heat before it reaches the coil, allowing the slip plane to maintain low friction while the thermal intercept provides thermal management. The intermediary structure decouples the mechanical slip function from the thermal management function, resolving the contradiction between low friction and interface stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful frictional heat is extracted from the coil system by introducing a dedicated thermal intercept structure. The thermal intercept is positioned to capture heat at the slip plane interface before it can transfer to the coil, effectively removing the harmful thermal effect while preserving the low-friction slip plane functionality.
2Reliability
If mechanisms are provided to immobilize the coils, then coil stability is improved, but immobilization becomes difficult particularly for coils with larger forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical immobilization mechanisms with a thermal management approach. Instead of using mechanical structures to physically constrain and immobilize the coils under large forces, the invention uses a thermal intercept system that manages the thermal effects of friction without requiring complex mechanical restraint mechanisms. This substitutes a thermal field solution for a mechanical field solution.
3Device complexity
If frictional heat is not intercepted, then the thermal interface structure is simpler, but localized overheating occurs creating normal zones that spread through the coil
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal intercept is positioned to perform preliminary thermal management by capturing frictional heat at its source at the slip plane interface, before the heat can propagate to the coil. This preliminary interception prevents localized overheating and the formation of normal zones, addressing the thermal problem at its origin rather than dealing with it after heat diffusion occurs.
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 thermal interface effectively absorbs and dissipates frictional heat, reducing the likelihood of quench events and enhancing coil stability by maintaining the superconducting state, thus minimizing helium loss and operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
frictional heat is generated and released due to stick-slip motion between the coil support and the magnet coils
Implementation Method 2
The normal zone will spread through the coil due to the Joule heat and the thermal conduction
Implementation Method 3
a thermal interface with a plurality of axial channels extending therein configured to receive a cooling liquid to intercept the frictional heat
Data Source
AI summary
A superconducting magnet coil interface and method providing coil stability are provided. A superconducting coil arrangement includes a superconducting coil and a thermal interface coupled to the superconducting coil. The thermal interface is configured to intercept frictional heat before reaching the superconducting coil. The superconducting coil arrangement further includes a plurality of channels extending within at least a portion of the thermal interface and towards the superconducting coil. The plurality of channels are configured to receive therein a cooling liquid.