Superconducting Magnet Epoxy with Carbon Nanotubes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional superconducting magnets impregnated with epoxy suffer from inefficient heat diffusion due to low thermal conductivity, leading to potential damage and degradation of superconductive properties due to mechanical internal stress from thermal shrinkage differences between the winding and the epoxy.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating surface-treated carbon nanotubes into the epoxy to enhance thermal conductivity and reduce thermal shrinkage differences, thereby improving thermal and electrical stabilities and preventing degradation of superconductive properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If epoxy is used as impregnating material for superconducting winding, then mechanical vibration resistance is improved, but thermal conductivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical vibration resistanceVSAvoidthermal conductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite impregnating material consisting of epoxy resin combined with metal powder particles (such as aluminum, copper, or silver). This composite structure maintains the mechanical bonding and vibration resistance properties of epoxy while introducing high thermal conductivity through the metal particles, thereby resolving the contradiction between mechanical strength and thermal conductivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the thermal conductivity parameter of the impregnating material by adding metal powder with specific thermal conductivity characteristics. The metal powder content is optimized to achieve the desired thermal conductivity while maintaining adequate mechanical properties, thus improving heat diffusion capability without sacrificing structural integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If epoxy with high thermal conductivity is used, then heat diffusion is improved, but mechanical internal stress increases due to thermal shrinkage difference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat diffusionVSAvoidmechanical internal stress

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adjusts the thermal expansion coefficient parameter of the impregnating material by selecting metal powders with thermal expansion characteristics closer to the superconducting winding. This reduces the thermal shrinkage difference during cooling, thereby decreasing mechanical internal stress while maintaining improved heat diffusion through the metal powder's high thermal conductivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a localized composite structure where metal powder particles are distributed within the epoxy matrix, providing high thermal conductivity at the local level where heat diffusion is needed, while the epoxy matrix continues to provide mechanical bonding. This localized quality distribution allows simultaneous achievement of good heat diffusion and reduced thermal stress

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 use of surface-treated carbon nanotubes in the epoxy significantly improves heat diffusion and reduces mechanical stress, enhancing the thermal and electrical stability of the superconducting magnet, allowing for efficient cooling and maintaining superconductive properties.

Implementation Method 1

the epoxy contains carbon nanotubes... the thermal conductivity of the epoxy is improved by impregnating the superconducting magnet with the epoxy containing the surface-treated carbon nanotube

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

due to difference in thermal shrinkage between the superconducting winding and the epoxy as the impregnation material, mechanical internal stress is generated in a coil

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal shrinkage: Thermal Contraction

Data Source

PatentUS11631514B2Superconducting magnet with improved thermal and electrical stabilities and method for manufacturing the same

Publication Date: 2023.04.18 KOREA UNIV RES & BUSINESS FOUND

AI summary

Disclosed is a superconducting magnet with improved thermal and electrical stabilities and a method for manufacturing the same. The superconducting magnet includes a bobbin disposed at a center of the superconducting magnet, a superconducting winding wound around an outer face of the bobbin, and an epoxy impregnated at an exterior of the superconducting winding, wherein the epoxy contains carbon nanotubes.