Superconducting Magnet Shutdown Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Superconducting magnets in magnetic resonance apparatuses are prone to quenching when power supply is interrupted, leading to potential damage and uncontrolled loss of cooling medium, necessitating a reliable method for controlled shutdown.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a monitoring processor and an energy store to determine stored energy and ramp energy required for shutdown, initiating shutdown at a calculated second point-in-time to ensure a controlled shutdown of the superconducting magnet, independent of external energy sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If power supply to the superconducting magnet is interrupted, then energy consumption is reduced, but the magnet may quench and cause damage
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by storing energy in the energy store before power interruption occurs, and by determining the second point in time in advance when shutdown should begin. This allows the magnet to be safely shut down using stored energy when external power is interrupted, preventing quench while reducing overall energy consumption during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy store acts as an intermediary between the external power source and the superconducting magnet. It stores energy during normal operation and releases it when external power is interrupted, mediating the transition and ensuring the magnet can be safely shut down without direct connection to external power, thus maintaining reliability while reducing energy consumption.
2Reliability
If continuous energy supply is maintained to the superconducting magnet, then quench is avoided, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous energy supply, the system uses periodic charging of the energy store during normal operation and periodic discharge during power interruption. The monitoring processor periodically monitors energy levels and determines when to initiate shutdown, creating a periodic control cycle that maintains reliability while reducing continuous energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by using the stored energy in the energy store to power the shutdown sequence when external power is interrupted. The monitoring processor uses stored energy to monitor magnet parameters and control the shutdown process, allowing the system to service itself during power interruptions without continuous external energy supply, thus reducing energy consumption while maintaining quench prevention.
3Reliability
If rapid shutdown is initiated immediately upon power interruption, then quench risk is reduced, but controlled shutdown cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by storing sufficient energy in the energy store before power interruption and by calculating the second point in time in advance. This preliminary energy storage and timing calculation enables the system to initiate controlled shutdown immediately when power is interrupted, achieving both rapid response for quench avoidance and controlled shutdown through the predetermined timing and energy availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring processor continuously monitors the energy stored in the energy store and the operational state of the superconducting magnet. This feedback allows the system to determine the appropriate second point in time for initiating shutdown and to adjust the shutdown sequence based on real-time conditions, ensuring both rapid response for quench avoidance and controlled shutdown through feedback-driven decision-making.
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
Enables reliable and controlled shutdown of superconducting magnets, preventing quenching and uncontrolled cooling medium loss, even in the absence of continuous energy supply, thereby maintaining apparatus integrity and reducing operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
A supply of energy to the superconducting magnet is typically required in order to maintain the superconducting properties and so in order to avoid a quench. The energy stored in the energy store is used in the event of failure of a continuous energy supply to the superconducting magnet
Implementation Method 2
Superconducting magnets have practically no resistance, so that no energy is required for maintaining a flow of current in a superconducting magnetic coil, and thus also for maintaining the magnetic field generated by the magnetic coil
Implementation Method 3
Stored energy stored in the energy store at a first point-in-time is determined in the monitoring processor. A ramp energy required for shutting down the superconducting magnet is determined in the monitoring processor. A second point-in-time is determined in the monitoring processor based on the stored energy and the ramp energy
Data Source
AI summary
In a method and system for shutting down a superconducting magnet of a magnetic resonance apparatus using a monitoring processor and an energy store, the monitoring processor determines stored energy stored in the energy store at a first point-in-time, and determines a ramp energy required for shutting down, and determines a second point-in-time based on the stored energy and the ramp energy. At the second point-in-time, shutting down of the superconducting magnet is begun.