Superconducting Rotor Coil Support Loop with Stop Element
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional suspension systems for superconducting rotor coils in electrical machines require high material cross-sections to withstand maximum forces, leading to increased heat conduction and higher cooling demands, which are costly and inefficient, and are prone to damage during overloads due to abrupt deformation.
Innovation Solution
An elastically deformable support loop with a stop element that decouples the requirements for maximum forces and thermal separation, allowing the support loop to deform and establish indirect mechanical contact via the stop element during overloads, reducing heat conduction during normal operation and protecting the support loop from excessive forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If support struts are dimensioned to withstand maximum forces, then mechanical strength is improved, but heat conduction increases and cooling costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is segmented into two distinct functional elements: support struts for normal operation and stop elements for overload protection. This segmentation allows each element to be optimized independently - struts with low thermal conductivity for thermal isolation during normal operation, and stop elements that engage only during abnormal conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The support system transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic system where the stop elements remain disengaged during normal operation and engage only when abnormal forces exceed the buckling threshold of the struts. This dynamic behavior allows the system to adapt its mechanical and thermal properties based on operating conditions.
2Reliability
If support struts are made with high material cross-section to withstand maximum forces, then reliability is improved, but heat conduction between rotor coil and rotor body increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support function is divided between struts (normal operation) and stop elements (overload protection). The struts can be designed with minimal cross-section optimized for thermal isolation, while reliability is maintained through the stop elements that engage during abnormal conditions, preventing coil displacement that would compromise operational reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The stop elements act as intermediary protection elements between the struts and the rotor body. During normal operation, they remain inactive and do not interfere with thermal isolation. During overloads, they engage to prevent damage, thereby protecting the thermal isolation function while maintaining system reliability.
3Loss of energy
If support struts are designed to buckle under overload, then heat conduction is reduced during normal operation, but damage or weakening of material occurs during fault
Solution Approach 1:
The protective function is segmented from the support function. Support struts maintain thermal isolation during normal operation without needing to withstand maximum overload forces. Stop elements are specifically designed to engage during overloads to prevent strut damage, separating the thermal management function from the overload protection function.
Solution Approach 2:
The stop elements are pre-positioned to engage before the struts can buckle under overload conditions. This beforehand cushioning prevents the struts from experiencing damaging deformations by providing mechanical support through the stop elements during abnormal conditions, thereby protecting material integrity while maintaining thermal isolation during normal operation.
4Force
If conventional suspension systems are used, then mechanical support is provided, but cooling capacity requirements increase due to high heat conduction
Solution Approach 1:
The support and thermal isolation functions are segmented into separate elements optimized for their respective purposes. The struts provide mechanical support during normal operation with minimal thermal conductivity, while stop elements provide overload protection. This segmentation enables effective thermal isolation that reduces cooling capacity requirements while maintaining adequate mechanical support.
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 solution enables reduced heat conduction during normal operation, lower cooling power requirements, and protects the support loop from damage by allowing reversible deformation and temporary increased heat conduction only during faults, maintaining mechanical and thermal functionality even after multiple incidents.
Implementation Method 1
The support device (5) comprises an elastically deformable support loop (7), which is designed in such a way that it supports the at least one rotor coil (3) against forces (11) occurring during normal operation of the coil
Implementation Method 2
The support loop (7) can be elastically deformed to such an extent that, in the event of a fault, indirect mechanical contact between the rotor coil (3) and rotor body (4) can come about via the stop element (9)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
An electric machine is specified having at least one superconducting rotor coil that is mounted in a rotatable manner about a rotation axis and is intended to be cooled, a rotor body and at least one supporting device for supporting the at least one rotor coil with respect to the rotor body. The supporting device comprises an elastically deformable support loop and a stop element, wherein the support loop is designed such that it supports the at least one rotor coil with respect to forces that arise during normal operation of the coil, and in the process prevents contact, imparted via the stop element, between the rotor coil and the rotor body. The support loop is elastically deformable to such an extent that mechanical contact between the rotor coil and the rotor body can occur via the stop element as a result of forces that arise in the event of a fault.