Superconducting Magnet Quench Protection via Heater and Current Source
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-temperature superconducting coils face performance degradation due to wiring distortions and delayed magnetic energy reduction during normal conducting transitions, especially with high-temperature superconducting conductors having large heat capacity, leading to potential coil damage from prolonged magnetic energy accumulation.
Innovation Solution
A superconducting magnet device configuration that includes a superconducting coil connected to a power supply, a persistent current switch, a heater, and a current source with different polarity, controlled by a driving circuit to rapidly initiate magnetic energy reduction by transitioning the persistent current switch to a normal conducting state upon abnormality detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a plurality of superconducting wires are bundled into parallel conductors and wound into a coil, then the possibility of damage by quenching is reduced, but the coil performance degrades due to distortion caused by wiring lines in the winding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the superconducting coil into multiple independent coils, each with its own protection mechanism. Instead of bundling wires into parallel conductors that cause distortion, the invention uses separate coil structures that can be independently protected against quenching damage while maintaining their original winding configurations and performance characteristics.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If a persistent current switch with large heat capacity is used, then the superconducting coil can operate in persistent current mode, but the transition to normal conducting state is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heat generation function from the persistent current switch itself and places it in a separate heater component. This allows the persistent current switch to maintain its large heat capacity for stable persistent current operation, while the external heater can rapidly generate heat to force a quick transition to normal conducting state when needed, eliminating the delay caused by the switch's own heat capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The heater acts as an intermediary between the control system and the persistent current switch. When a quick transition is required, the heater mediates by rapidly adding heat to the persistent current switch, forcing it to transition from superconducting to normal conducting state without being limited by the switch's own heat capacity.
3Ease of manufacture
If solder connection is used in the winding, then the coil can be assembled, but the high-temperature superconducting coil is deteriorated by distortion at the connection position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the connection function from the superconducting wire itself and implements it through separate connection structures that do not involve soldering the superconducting wires directly. This eliminates the distortion caused by solder heating while still providing secure electrical connections, preserving the performance of the high-temperature superconducting material at connection points.
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 solution enables quick magnetic energy reduction in superconducting coils, reducing the risk of coil damage by rapidly transitioning the persistent current switch to a normal conducting state, thereby enhancing the operational safety and efficiency of the superconducting magnet device.
Implementation Method 1
a heater configured to control a temperature of the persistent current switch
Implementation Method 2
a current source connected in parallel to the persistent current switch and having a polarity different from that of the power supply for excitation
Implementation Method 3
a superconducting coil connected to a power supply for excitation; in a persistent current mode
Data Source
AI summary
The superconducting magnet device reduces the number of connections within and/or the number of wires leading out of a superconducting coil winding and promptly starts expending the magnetic energy in a superconducting coil operating in a persistent-current mode when the superconducting coil increases in temperature or transitions to normal conductivity. This invention provides a superconducting magnet device that has the following: a superconducting coil connected to an excitation power supply; a persistent-current switch connected to the superconducting coil; a heater that controls the temperature of the persistent-current switch; a current source that is connected in parallel with the persistent-current switch and has a different polarity from the excitation power supply; a driving circuit connected to the heater and the current source; and a signal-inputting means for inputting a signal to the driving circuit. The driving circuit operates the heater and the current source when the signal is inputted thereto.