Superconducting Magnet Quench Protection via Heater Matrix
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Solution Overview
Problem
Superconducting magnet systems are prone to damage during a quench due to rapid temperature rises, which can cause the stored energy to be dissipated as heat, potentially leading to melting of superconducting wires, and existing quench protection methods are either inefficient or costly.
Innovation Solution
A quench protection apparatus featuring a heater matrix module with superconducting coils electrically coupled in series and heater units thermally coupled to each coil, allowing for rapid and controlled energy dissipation across all coils during a quench, eliminating the need for additional quench-detection signals and energy dump resistors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If known quench protection techniques are used (directly supplying energy dump resistor or wide-area heaters from quench-detection signal), then quench protection is provided, but the system requires additional components and higher actuation energy
Solution Approach 1:
The quench protection system utilizes the quench-detection signal inherently generated by the superconducting coil assemblage itself to directly activate the heater matrix module. The system serves itself by using its own operational signals (voltage drops during quench) as the trigger mechanism, eliminating the need for separate detection circuits and external control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the quench detection function and the quench protection function into a single integrated system. The heater matrix module is electrically coupled in parallel with the superconducting coils, allowing the same electrical connections to serve both operational and protection functions, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
2Reliability
If known quench protection techniques are used (energy dump resistors or wide-area heaters), then quench protection is provided, but higher actuation energy is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electrical configuration parameter by coupling heater units in parallel with the superconducting coils rather than in series. This parallel configuration allows the heaters to be activated by the voltage drop across the coils during quench without requiring additional energy input, as the same voltage that appears across the coils during normal operation can directly drive the heaters when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the electrical energy already present in the superconducting coil circuit during quench (the voltage drop signal) to directly power the heater matrix module. This eliminates the need for separate energy sources or dump resistors, reducing the total actuation energy required while maintaining effective quench protection.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If quench propagation is delayed, then localized heating occurs causing damage to superconducting wires, but rapid quench propagation throughout the entire system increases voltage spikes and thermal stress
Solution Approach 1:
The heater matrix module is divided into multiple heater units, with each heater unit containing multiple heaters that are thermally coupled to specific superconducting coils. This segmented structure allows controlled propagation of quench through the heater network, distributing the thermal energy gradually across the system rather than causing sudden uniform heating, thereby reducing voltage spikes while preventing localized hot spots.
Solution Approach 2:
Each heater unit is specifically thermally coupled to its corresponding superconducting coil, creating localized heating zones that match the spatial distribution of the coils. This local quality ensures that when a quench occurs in one region, only the corresponding heater units are activated, providing targeted protection without unnecessarily heating other parts of the system, thus reducing overall thermal stress and voltage spikes.
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 solution provides reliable, fast-response quench protection with lower actuation energy, effectively preventing damage to the superconducting coils by ensuring all coils quench quickly and uniformly, thereby reducing the risk of overheating and voltage spikes.
Implementation Method 1
Each superconducting coil is thermally coupled with at least one heater of each of the number M of the heater units
Implementation Method 2
Superconducting magnet systems having relatively large energies are currently used in many applications. For example, superconducting magnet systems, storing energy of up to tens of mega Joules, are constructed for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) systems
Data Source
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AI summary
A quench protection apparatus includes a number N of superconducting coils and a heater matrix. The number N of superconducting coils are electrically coupled in series. The heater matrix module includes the number N of heater units. The number N of heater units is electrically coupled in parallel with the number N of superconducting coils respectively. A number M of the heater units each includes at least the number N of heaters. Each superconducting coil is thermally coupled with at least one heater of each of the number M of the heater units. The number of N-M of the heater units each includes at least one heater. Each of the number M of superconducting coils correspondingly coupled with the number M of the heater units is thermally coupled with at least one heater of each of the number N-M of the heater units. A superconducting magnet system protected by above quench protection apparatus is also provided.