Superconducting Electromagnet Monolithic Embedding Quench Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cryogenically cooled superconducting electromagnets face issues with unintentional quenching due to localized heating from conductor movement, high cryogen consumption during transit, and the challenge of maintaining low temperatures without a power source, leading to costly and logistically difficult installations, especially in remote locations.
Innovation Solution
Embedding superconducting coils within a monolithic thermosetting or thermoplastic material that solidifies at operating temperature, eliminating conductor movement and reducing the need for a former, along with integrated cooling channels and a reduced cryogen quantity, allowing for efficient cooling and minimizing cryogen loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If superconducting coils are retained using conventional methods during ramping and operation, then the electromagnet can be assembled and operated, but conductor movement causes localized heating leading to unintentional quenching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by embedding the superconducting coils in a solidifying material before operation. The material is in liquid state during assembly to allow coil placement, then solidifies to permanently secure the coils in position. This prevents conductor movement and localized heating that would cause quenching during subsequent ramping and operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a solidifying material as an intermediary substance between the superconducting coils and the former structure. This intermediary material transitions from liquid to solid state, providing gradual securing that prevents sudden movements while accommodating thermal expansion differences between components.
2Strength
If a former is used to support superconducting coils, then mechanical support is provided, but the former creates complexity in assembly and positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the function of mechanical support from the traditional former structure and transfers it to the solidifying material. The former is reduced to minimal positioning elements, while the solidifying material provides the primary mechanical support and securing function, simplifying the overall assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple functions into the solidifying material: it provides mechanical support, secures coil positioning, accommodates thermal expansion, and prevents conductor movement. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate retaining structures and simplifies the assembly process.
3Reliability
If thermal expansion differences between coils and former are accommodated, then movement is prevented, but complex retaining structures are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter changes by exploiting the phase transition of the solidifying material from liquid to solid. During assembly, the material is liquid to allow easy positioning; during cooling operation, it solidifies to provide rigid mechanical support. This parameter change accommodates thermal expansion differences without requiring complex adjustable retaining structures.
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 stabilizes the magnetic field, reduces the risk of quenching, minimizes cryogen consumption, and simplifies installation by maintaining low temperatures without extensive cryogen supplies, making the system more cost-effective and transportable.
Implementation Method 1
Embedding superconducting coils within a monolithic thermosetting or thermoplastic material that solidifies at operating temperature
Implementation Method 2
cryogenically cooled superconducting electromagnets
Implementation Method 3
superconductor windings 12 for producing a magnetic field
Implementation Method 4
cooling the superconductor, typically by immersion in a low temperature cryogenic fluid such as liquid helium
Implementation Method 5
thermal shields 18 substantially surround the cryogenic fluid vessel 14
Implementation Method 6
The shield(s) reduce(s) the incidence of radiated heat from the outer vacuum chamber 16 which may reach the cryogen vessel 14
Implementation Method 7
use a refrigerator 21 to cool the thermal shields 18 to a low temperature in order to reduce the heat load onto the cryogenic fluid vessel 14
Implementation Method 8
embedding the plurality of coils 12 in a monolithic solid structure... the coils are embedded in a solid material, individual conductors have no freedom to move
Implementation Method 9
Any current flowing through the resistive part will cause local Joule heating... This will cause the adjacent parts of the superconductor to quench
Implementation Method 10
the embedded material may be chosen to have a high thermal conductivity in order to assist with the dissipation of Joule heating
Data Source
AI summary
An electromagnet comprising a plurality of coils of superconductive material, monolithically embedded in an embedding material, which is solid at the temperature of operation of the superconductive electromagnet, and a method for producing an electromagnet comprising a plurality of coils of superconductive material, comprising the steps of winding coils of superconductive material, retaining the coils at predetermined relative positions, and monolithically embedding the plurality of superconducting coils in an embedding material, which is solid at the temperature of operation of the superconductive electromagnet.