Superconducting Current Lead Structure for Radiant Heat Shielding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Superconducting coils in vacuum vessels face heat input issues due to Joule heat, conduction, and radiant heat from the vacuum vessel wall, which can disrupt their superconducting state.
Innovation Solution
The electric current introduction line includes an outer current lead part thermally coupled to a heat shield with a low emissivity layer, reducing radiant heat absorption and effectively suppressing heat input to the superconducting coil.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the outer current lead part is thermally coupled to the heat shield, then heat conduction to the superconducting coil is reduced, but radiant heat absorption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a heat shield as an intermediary component between the outer current lead part and the superconducting coil. The heat shield is thermally coupled to the outer current lead part but thermally isolated from the superconducting coil, thereby mediating the heat transfer path. This allows the outer current lead part to be thermally coupled to the heat shield (reducing direct conduction to the coil) while the heat shield's low emissivity surface protects against radiant heat absorption, thus resolving the contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of radiant heat into a beneficial thermal management solution. By providing the heat shield with a low emissivity surface, the design reflects radiant heat away from the superconducting coil, turning the potential harm of thermal radiation into a protective mechanism that actively reduces heat input to the coil.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the outer current lead part is thermally isolated from the heat shield, then radiant heat absorption is reduced, but heat conduction to the superconducting coil increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat shield serves as a thermal intermediary that can be independently coupled or isolated from different components. By thermally coupling the outer current lead part to the heat shield while maintaining thermal isolation from the superconducting coil, the system achieves both reduced conduction to the coil and protected radiation shielding, resolving the apparent contradiction between these two thermal management requirements.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a heat shield layer with low emissivity is added to the outer current lead part, then radiant heat absorption is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat shield serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a thermal barrier to reduce heat conduction to the superconducting coil, provides radiation shielding through its low emissivity surface, and maintains electrical isolation. By making the heat shield a multi-functional component, the patent reduces the need for separate dedicated radiation shielding structures, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving effective radiant heat reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the radiation shielding function with the existing heat shield structure of the electric current introduction line. Instead of adding a separate radiation shield, the low emissivity surface is applied to the heat shield itself, combining thermal management and radiation protection into a single integrated component, thus minimizing the increase in device complexity.
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 maintains the superconducting coil in a stable state by minimizing heat input, ensuring reliable operation in high magnetic field applications.
Implementation Method 1
heat input issues due to Joule heat, conduction, and radiant heat from the vacuum vessel wall
Implementation Method 2
a heat shield layer that covers the insulation layer and has a lower emissivity than the insulation layer
Implementation Method 3
an outer current lead part that is located outside of the heat shield, within the vacuum vessel, and that is thermally coupled to the heat shield
Implementation Method 4
The superconducting coil can be cooled to a cryogenic temperature in the vacuum vessel in order to bring it into a superconducting state
Data Source
AI summary
A superconducting coil device includes a vacuum vessel, a superconducting coil located inside the vacuum vessel, a heat shield surrounding the superconducting coil within the vacuum vessel, and an electric current introduction line for introducing an electric current into the superconducting coil. The electric current introduction line includes an outer current lead part located outside of the heat shield, within the vacuum vessel, and thermally coupled to the heat shield, and an inner current lead part located inside of the heat shield and connecting the outer current lead part to the superconducting coil. The outer current lead part includes a main body serving as an electric current path to the superconducting coil, an insulation layer that covers the main body, and a heat shield layer that covers the insulation layer and has a lower emissivity than the insulation layer.