Superconducting Magnet Cooling Efficiency via Intermittent Refrigerator Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In typical superconducting magnets, continuous operation of the refrigerator leads to high power consumption due to heat dissipation in the coolant container, necessitating methods to reduce heat entry and improve cooling efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A superconducting magnet design featuring a coolant container surrounded by a radiation shield, with interconnected pipes allowing a circulating coolant flow between the refrigerator and pipes, enhancing cooling efficiency and reducing heat conduction through the pipes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the refrigerator operates continuously to dissipate heat from the coolant container, then the cooling effect is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic operation of the refrigerator by controlling it to operate only when the pressure increase rate in the coolant container exceeds a predetermined threshold. This intermittent operation mode allows the system to maintain adequate cooling效果 while significantly reducing overall power consumption compared to continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a feedback mechanism where the refrigerator operation is controlled based on real-time monitoring of the pressure increase rate in the coolant container. When the pressure increase rate exceeds the threshold, the refrigerator starts; when it falls below, the refrigerator stops. This feedback-based control optimizes the balance between cooling效果 and power consumption.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the refrigerator operates intermittently to reduce power consumption, then energy use decreases, but the time required for pressure increase in the coolant container increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-cools the coolant and pipes before the pressure increase becomes significant. By maintaining lower temperatures in advance through strategic refrigerator operation, the system delays the onset of rapid pressure increase, thereby extending the interval between refrigerator operations and reducing overall power consumption.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the refrigerator operates intermittently to reduce power consumption, then energy use decreases, but cooling efficiency in the coolant container deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heat dissipation function from the main coolant container and relocates it to a separate heat dissipation container. This allows the refrigerator to efficiently dissipate heat in a dedicated space with optimized thermal conditions, maintaining high cooling efficiency even during intermittent operation modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a heat dissipation container as an intermediary between the coolant container and the refrigerator. This intermediate container serves as a thermal buffer that accumulates heat from the coolant container and then efficiently transfers it to the refrigerator for dissipation, thereby maintaining cooling efficiency during intermittent operation.
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 design improves cooling efficiency and reduces power consumption by minimizing heat entry into the coolant container, thereby optimizing the operation of the refrigerator.
Implementation Method 1
a radiation shield, disposed between the coolant container and the vacuum container, to surround the coolant container
Implementation Method 2
a circulating flow in which the coolant naturally circulates due to a density difference can be generated
Implementation Method 3
the coolant naturally circulates due to a density difference
Implementation Method 4
heat that has entered a coolant container due to heat conduction through a pipe connected to the coolant container
Data Source
AI summary
A superconducting magnet includes a superconducting coil, a coolant container, a radiation shield, a first pipe, a second pipe, a refrigerator, and a connection pipe. The refrigerator is fixed to seal a tip end of the second pipe, and is inserted in the second pipe to define a flow path of a coolant between the refrigerator and the second pipe. The connection pipe makes the interiors of the first pipe and the second pipe communicate with each other inside a vacuum container. The connection pipe includes a first connection portion connecting to the first pipe and a second connection portion connecting to the second pipe. The second connection portion is located between the vacuum container and the radiation shield.