Superconducting Magnet Down-Sizing via Axial Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional superconducting magnet devices face challenges in down-sizing due to the heavy weight and thermal management requirements of the magnet assembly, which necessitate a supporting structure that balances weight reception and heat shielding, leading to increased vacuum container size.
Innovation Solution
A superconducting magnet device design featuring a vacuum container with a tubular barrel portion, a magnet assembly housed within, and a supporting member that protrudes inwardly beyond the radiation shield's outer circumference surface, connected via a low-thermal-conductivity connecting portion to maintain assembly spacing and ensure structural rigidity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a supporting member with high strength and large size is used to receive heavy weight, then weight reception capability is improved, but vacuum container size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting member extends in the axial direction beyond the barrel portion to provide support function, utilizing the axial dimension rather than increasing radial size. This allows the supporting member to achieve sufficient structural rigidity and weight reception capability without increasing the outer diameter of the vacuum container.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting structure is divided into multiple functional segments: the supporting member fixed to the barrel portion, the connecting portion with low thermal conductivity, and the magnet assembly. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the supporting member for strength, the connecting portion for thermal isolation, and the overall structure for compact sizing.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a supporting member with large size is used to ensure rigidity, then structural stability is improved, but down-sizing of vacuum container becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting member achieves structural stability by extending axially beyond the barrel portion rather than increasing radial dimensions. This dimensional reorientation allows the supporting member to provide sufficient rigidity and stability while maintaining a compact vacuum container outer diameter.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting member is designed with differentiated local properties: the portion extending beyond the barrel portion provides structural support and rigidity, while the portion inside the vacuum container is optimized for thermal isolation through the low-thermal-conductivity connecting portion. This local differentiation achieves both stability and compact sizing.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a connecting portion with low thermal conductivity is used to suppress heat intrusion, then heat shielding performance is improved, but weight reception capability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting structure is segmented into the supporting member for strength and the connecting portion for thermal isolation. This segmentation allows the connecting portion to be optimized for low thermal conductivity to suppress heat intrusion, while the supporting member maintains sufficient weight reception capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting portion acts as an intermediary between the supporting member and the magnet assembly, providing both mechanical connection for weight support and thermal isolation to suppress heat intrusion. This intermediary structure reconciles the conflicting requirements of strength and thermal insulation.
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 allows for the reduction of the vacuum container's outer diameter while maintaining necessary rigidity, enabling effective heat shielding and weight support, thus achieving down-sizing of the device.
Implementation Method 1
the supporting member receives weight of the magnet assembly via the connecting portion
Implementation Method 2
a radiation shield which houses the refrigerant tank, the magnet assembly being housed in the vacuum container
Implementation Method 3
the connecting portion has thermal conductivity lower than thermal conductivity of the supporting member
Data Source
AI summary
A superconducting magnet device includes a vacuum container having a tubular barrel portion; a magnet assembly including a superconducting coil, a refrigerant tank, and a radiation shield, the magnet assembly being housed in the vacuum container; a supporting block fixed to the barrel portion and protruding beyond the barrel portion to the inside of the vacuum container; and a connecting portion which connects the magnet assembly and the supporting block to each other such that the magnet assembly is spaced apart from the barrel portion within the vacuum container. The connecting portion has thermal conductivity lower than thermal conductivity of the supporting member. The supporting member receives weight of the magnet assembly via the connecting portion while protruding inwardly beyond at least an outer circumference surface of the radiation shield of the magnet assembly.