Superconducting Magnet Quench Isolation for Particle Beam Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Superconducting coils in particle beam therapy systems experience quenching, leading to changes in magnetic flux density, generation of eddy currents, and potential overvoltage, affecting other components and prolonging device recovery time.
Innovation Solution
A superconducting magnet device with independent power sources and detectors for each coil, and a control unit that adjusts currents and interrupts power supply upon quenching detection, minimizing the impact on adjacent coils and power sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If superconducting coils are used to generate strong magnetic fields for particle beam deflection, then the magnetic field strength and beam control capability are improved, but quenching occurs which causes harmful effects on other coils and power sources
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the superconducting magnet system into independent modules, each with its own power source and detection circuit. When quenching occurs in one coil, only that specific module is affected and can be isolated, preventing the harmful effects from propagating to other coils and power sources while maintaining the high magnetic field capability of each segment.
2Loss of time
If quenching detection and current adjustment processing are performed, then the recovery time of the device is reduced, but the system complexity increases due to additional detectors and control units
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-configures independent power sources for each superconducting coil and installs detection circuits that continuously monitor coil status. When quenching is detected, the control unit immediately adjusts or interrupts the current to the affected coil, enabling rapid recovery without requiring complex system-wide shutdowns or manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection circuit provides real-time feedback on the superconducting coil status to the control unit. Based on this feedback, the control unit automatically adjusts the current supplied by the power source, creating a closed-loop control system that rapidly responds to quenching events and minimizes recovery time while maintaining manageable system complexity through automated control.
3Reliability
If independent power sources are provided for each superconducting coil, then the quenching influence on other components is reduced, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system assigns dedicated power sources to individual superconducting coils, creating electrically isolated segments. When quenching occurs in one coil, the independent power source configuration allows that coil to be disconnected or have its current adjusted without affecting the power supply to other coils, thereby isolating the quenching influence and improving reliability while keeping the overall system architecture relatively simple through modular design.
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
Reduces the influence of quenching on other components, preventing overvoltage and accelerating recovery of the device by managing current flow and temperature changes.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnet capable of generating a strong magnetic field
Implementation Method 2
deflect the charged particle beam by using an electromagnet
Implementation Method 3
Superconducting coils may experience quenching in which the superconducting coils lose their superconductive state and are brought into a normal conductive state
Implementation Method 4
lose their superconductive state and are brought into a normal conductive state
Implementation Method 5
the magnetic flux density of the superconducting coil is changed and an eddy current is generated
Implementation Method 6
an eddy current is generated
Implementation Method 7
the power source supplying a current to the coil may generate an induced electromotive force, causing an overvoltage
Data Source
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AI summary
A superconducting magnet device includes a first superconducting coil, a second superconducting coil, a first power source that supplies a current to the first superconducting coil and does not supply a current to the second superconducting coil, a second power source that does not supply a current to the first superconducting coil but supplies a current to the second superconducting coil, a first detector that detects quenching of the first superconducting coil, and a control unit that performs first adjustment processing of adjusting a current to be supplied from the second power source to the second superconducting coil in response to detection of quenching of the first superconducting coil by the first detector.