Superconducting Electromagnet Venting for Quench Pressure Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In superconducting electromagnets, the rapid generation of coolant gas during a quench leads to peak pressure in the inner vessel, causing pressure variations and increased coolant evaporation, especially during air or high-altitude transport, due to the limitations of single spring check valves.
Innovation Solution
A superconducting electromagnet design featuring multiple spring check valves with different set pressures and branch pipe configurations, including a first split-flow pipe and a second split-flow pipe with varying diameters and lengths, to manage pressure differences and reduce peak pressures, allowing for increased set pressures and reduced coolant evaporation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single spring check valve is used to discharge coolant gas, then the structure is simple, but the valve opening speed is slower than coolant gas generation speed, causing peak pressure and pressure variations in the inner vessel
Solution Approach 1:
The single spring check valve is segmented into multiple spring check valves (first, second, and third) with different set pressures. This segmentation allows the discharge function to be distributed across multiple valves that open at different pressure thresholds, preventing any single valve from being overwhelmed by rapid coolant gas generation and reducing peak pressure in the inner vessel.
2Loss of substance
If the set pressure of the spring check valve is increased to reduce coolant evaporation during transport, then evaporation is reduced, but the valve may not open in time during quench, causing dangerous pressure buildup
Solution Approach 1:
The set pressures of the spring check valves are changed to different values (first set pressure, second set pressure, and third set pressure) to create a staged discharge system. This parameter differentiation allows the system to maintain higher pressures during normal transport (reducing evaporation) while ensuring reliable valve opening during quench conditions through the cumulative effect of multiple valves at different thresholds.
3Stress or pressure
If multiple spring check valves with different set pressures are used, then peak pressure and pressure variations are reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge pipe structure is extended into a multi-dimensional configuration with parallel branches (first split-flow pipe and second split-flow pipe) and sub-branches (first branch pipe and second branch pipe). This dimensional expansion allows multiple spring check valves to be distributed across different spatial paths, managing pressure effectively while organizing the complexity into a structured, maintainable architecture.
4Loss of substance
If the spring check valve opens at lower pressure, then coolant evaporation during transport is reduced, but the valve opens too easily under normal operating conditions, causing unnecessary discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The valve system transitions from a static single-threshold design to a dynamic multi-threshold system where valves activate sequentially based on pressure conditions. The first spring check valve handles low-pressure discharge during transport, while the second and third valves engage at higher pressures during quench, creating a dynamic response that adapts to different operational states and prevents unnecessary discharge during normal 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
The design effectively suppresses pressure variations and reduces the maximum pressure within the inner vessel, enabling higher set pressures for the check valves and minimizing coolant evaporation during transport, thereby enhancing the stability and efficiency of superconducting electromagnets.
Implementation Method 1
The first spring check valve is disposed in the first split-flow pipe to open when a pressure difference between an upstream side and a downstream side of the first spring check valve in the first split-flow pipe becomes more than or equal to a first set pressure higher than atmospheric pressure
Implementation Method 2
coolant gas generated by evaporation of the liquid coolant in the inner vessel
Implementation Method 3
The outer vessel is thermally insulated from the inner vessel and holds the inner vessel in the outer vessel
Data Source
AI summary
A part of a second split-flow pipe is branched into at least a first branch pipe and a second branch pipe. A second spring check valve is disposed in the first branch pipe to open when a pressure difference between an upstream side and a downstream side of the second spring check valve in the first branch pipe becomes more than or equal to a second set pressure higher than a first set pressure. A third spring check valve is disposed in the second branch pipe to open when a pressure difference between an upstream side and a downstream side of the third spring check valve in the second branch pipe becomes more than or equal to a third set pressure higher than the first set pressure. The second branch pipe is different from the first branch pipe in terms of at least one of diameter, length, and inner volume.