Superconducting Magnetizer Cooling With Heat Pipe and Cryocooler

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional resistive magnetizers for electrical machines with permanent magnet rotors require excessive power supply and complex thermal management, leading to inefficiencies and high operational costs.

Innovation Solution

A superconducting magnetizer with a thermal shield and heat transfer device, including a heat pipe, is used within a vacuum chamber, supported by a structural arrangement, and cooled by a cryocooler, minimizing power and thermal management requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If conventional resistive magnetizers are used, then magnetic field generation is achieved, but power supply requirements and thermal management requirements increase excessively

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply requirementsVSAvoidthermal management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the operating temperature parameter from ambient to cryogenic levels, enabling the magnet coils to operate in superconducting state. This parameter change eliminates electrical resistance, thereby reducing power supply requirements and thermal management complexity while maintaining magnetic field generation capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs superconducting materials with specific critical temperature characteristics as composite material solution. These materials enable the system to achieve both magnetic field generation and reduced power/thermal requirements by operating below their critical temperature threshold

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Use of energy by moving object

If superconducting magnet is used, then power supply needs are reduced, but cooling requirements are introduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidcooling requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-cooling through the magnet's own operational cycle. The magnet is cooled during idle periods and maintains superconducting state during operation, eliminating the need for continuous external cooling and reducing overall energy consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs periodic cooling cycles where the magnet is cooled to superconducting temperature during non-operational periods, then operates in superconducting state during magnetizing pulses. This periodic action minimizes continuous cooling requirements while maintaining energy efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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 superconducting magnetizer reduces power supply needs and thermal management complexities, enabling efficient magnetic field generation with minimal energy consumption and cooling requirements.

Implementation Method 1

A superconducting magnet is disposed within the thermal shield and configured to generate a magnetic field in response to an electric current supplied to the superconducting magnet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

A heat transfer device comprising at least one of a thermal conduction device, and a heat pipe is disposed contacting the superconducting magnet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

A heat transfer device comprising at least one of a thermal conduction device, and a heat pipe is disposed contacting the superconducting magnet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat pipe effect: Heat Pipe

Implementation Method 4

A cryocooler is coupled to the heat transfer device and configured to cool the superconducting magnet via the heat transfer device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCryogenic cooling: Cryogenics

Data Source

PatentEP2390884B1Superconducting magnetizer
Publication Date: 2013.11.06 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO
  • EP2390884B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2390884B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2390884B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A superconducting magnetizer (10) includes a thermal shield (14) disposed within a vacuum chamber (16). A superconducting magnet (12) is disposed within the thermal shield (14) and configured to generate a magnetic field in response to an electric current supplied to the superconducting magnet (12). A heat transfer device (25) comprising at least one of a thermal conduction device (20), and a heat pipe (22, 32) is disposed contacting the superconducting magnet (12). A cryocooler (26) is coupled to the heat transfer device (25) and configured to cool the superconducting magnet (12) via the heat transfer device (25).