Superconductor Cooling Layout With Thermal Switch for Faster Cooldown
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Solution Overview
Problem
Superconducting electromagnet devices face challenges in reducing the cooling time of superconductors due to heat intrusion through current leads, which is not efficiently addressed by existing cooling systems without increasing costs or physical complexity.
Innovation Solution
A superconductor cooling system that incorporates a first and second cooling unit, along with a thermal conduction switch, to manage heat transfer between cooling conductors, allowing for initial rapid cooling and subsequent efficient operation by disconnecting heat transfer paths, thereby optimizing cooling capacity and reducing overall cooling time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the cooling capacity of the superconducting coil cooling unit is increased to reduce cooling time, then the cooling time is reduced, but the costs increase and placement space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-cooling the current lead (second superconductor) to a predetermined temperature before the superconducting coil operation begins. This is achieved by providing a dedicated cooling unit for the current lead that operates in advance, so that when the coil needs to be cooled rapidly, the heat transfer path is already prepared and the cooling can proceed without delay. This resolves the contradiction by preparing the cooling infrastructure beforehand rather than increasing the peak cooling capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the cooling system into two independent parts: a first cooling unit for the superconducting coil and a second cooling unit for the current lead. This segmentation allows each component to be cooled independently and optimally, with the current lead being pre-cooled through its own dedicated cooling path. This resolves the contradiction by avoiding the need to increase the overall cooling unit capacity while still achieving rapid cooling through coordinated segment operation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a current lead cooling unit is provided in addition to the superconducting coil cooling unit, then heat intrusion is reduced, but the device complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a thermal conduction switch as an intermediary device that controls heat transfer between the current lead cooling unit and the superconducting coil cooling unit. This intermediary allows the system to selectively connect or disconnect heat transfer paths, enabling the current lead to be cooled independently when needed while sharing the cooling infrastructure with the coil. This resolves the contradiction by reducing heat intrusion through controlled heat transfer rather than requiring completely separate cooling systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the cooling units multi-functional by enabling them to serve both their primary cooling targets and provide pre-cooling to the other component through the thermal conduction switch. The first cooling unit can cool both the superconducting coil and pre-cool the current lead, while the second cooling unit can cool the current lead and assist in cooling the coil. This universality resolves the contradiction by reducing heat intrusion through flexible, shared cooling capability rather than requiring dedicated separate cooling units for each function.
3Loss of time
If the thermal conduction switch is set to ON to cool the superconducting coil rapidly, then cooling time is reduced, but heat transfer from the current lead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by setting the thermal conduction switch to ON in advance during the pre-cooling phase, allowing heat to transfer from the first cooling conductor to the second cooling conductor before the superconducting coil operation begins. This preliminary heat transfer prepares the current lead for rapid cooling without causing harmful heat intrusion during the critical cooling phase, as the temperature gradient is already established and the system is in a stable pre-cooled state.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the thermal conduction switch dynamic by allowing it to change state between ON and OFF based on the cooling phase requirements. During pre-cooling, the switch is ON to allow heat transfer that prepares the system. During rapid cooling of the coil, the switch can be set to OFF to prevent heat intrusion from the current lead. This dynamic control resolves the contradiction by temporally separating the heat transfer function from the rapid cooling function, allowing both goals to be achieved at different times in the cooling process.
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 approach effectively reduces the cooling time of superconductors without increasing the cooling unit's capacity or physical space requirements, thereby shortening startup times and maintaining stable operation.
Implementation Method 1
a first cooling unit configured to cool the first cooling conductor to a first temperature
Implementation Method 2
a second cooling unit configured to cool the second cooling conductor to a second temperature
Implementation Method 3
a first thermal conduction switch connected between the first cooling conductor and the second cooling conductor to ON and OFF heat transfer between the first cooling conductor and the second cooling conductor
Implementation Method 4
a superconducting coil cooled by a superconducting coil cooling unit and goes into a superconducting state under an extremely-low temperature condition
Implementation Method 5
a current lead configured to supply a current to the first superconductor. In the current lead, a part of a path of the current is formed of a second superconductor
Data Source
AI summary
A superconductor cooling system has: a first superconductor; a first cooling conductor used for cooling the first superconductor; a first cooling unit configured to cool the first cooling conductor to a first temperature; and a current lead configured to supply a current to the first superconductor. Here, a part of a path of the current is formed of a second superconductor. The superconductor cooling system further has: a second cooling conductor used for cooling the second superconductor; a second cooling unit configured to cool the second cooling conductor to a second temperature; and a first thermal conduction switch connected between the first cooling conductor and the second cooling conductor to ON and OFF heat transfer between the first cooling conductor and the second cooling conductor.