Superconducting Magnet System with Passive Current Limiter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for creating intense and stable magnetic fields using superconducting magnets face challenges such as high residual resistance, potential quenching, and difficulties in rapid discharge without deteriorating the magnet, leading to abnormal heating and reliability issues with superconducting switches.
Innovation Solution
A system with a superconducting current limiter that automatically switches from a low-resistance to a high-resistance state when the current exceeds a breaking current, allowing for efficient charge, stabilization, and rapid discharge without external control, minimizing thermal losses and protecting the magnet during quench events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a superconducting magnet is operated in persistent mode with a superconducting switch, then magnetic field stability is improved, but the system becomes vulnerable to quenching and requires complex protection circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the superconducting switch from the persistent mode circuit, eliminating the reliability issues associated with switches. Instead, the system uses a purely passive superconducting magnet with residual resistance that naturally provides stability without requiring switching components that can fail or cause quenches.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a passive resistive element as an intermediary component that works in conjunction with the superconducting magnet. This resistor provides a controlled discharge path and stabilizing influence without requiring active switching, thereby improving reliability while maintaining field stability.
2Reliability
If rapid discharge is implemented for protection, then safety is improved, but abnormal heating and magnet deterioration occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic current limitation through the passive resistive element that automatically adjusts its effect based on current magnitude. During normal operation, the system maintains stable field production, but during fault conditions, the resistor naturally limits current rise rate, providing protective action without abrupt switching that causes thermal shock and heating.
3Stability of the object's composition
If residual resistance is reduced for persistent mode operation, then magnetic field drift is reduced, but the magnet becomes more susceptible to quenching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent accepts and utilizes the residual resistance parameter rather than attempting to eliminate it. By designing the system to work with the inherent residual resistance of the superconducting magnet, the system achieves both low field drift and quench resistance. The passive resistive element further stabilizes the system by providing a controlled path for current variations.
4Adaptability or versatility
If superconducting switches are used for mode switching, then operational flexibility is improved, but operational demands and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the superconducting switch component entirely from the system architecture. The operational modes are achieved through passive circuit behavior and control of the power supply, eliminating the need for complex switching mechanisms and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining operational flexibility.
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 system ensures low magnetic field drift, effective rapid discharge, and prolonged current limitation without deteriorating the magnet, reducing operational demands and enhancing safety and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
A superconducting magnet is formed by a superconducting coil (for example, a Niobium-Titanium composite) maintained at a temperature such that the superconducting state of the material constituting the coil is ensured... The zero electrical resistance thus reached enables very high magnetic field intensities to be created
Implementation Method 2
A superconducting switch formed by a superconducting composite coupled with a heating element (subsequently designated also by the term heater) is a thermal switch that has zero resistance when the heater associated with it is off... and high resistance compared to the other resistances of the circuit when the heater is turned on
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a system (100) for creating a magnetic field via a superconducting magnet (102) intended to produce said magnetic field. The system (100) according to the invention comprises a first branch including the superconducting magnet (102) formed by a coil inductance (L′) in series with a residual resistance (R′2), a second branch comprising a protection resistance (R′3) and a third branch comprising a power source (103). Furthermore, the system comprises a fourth branch formed by a resistance (R′1) mounted in series with a current-limiting superconducting device (106) switching from a low-resistance state to a high-resistance state when the current passing therethrough exceeds a breaking current, said first, second, third and fourth branches being mounted in parallel.