Superconductor Structures for Magnetic Field Concentration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing magnetic field generation technologies face challenges in increasing magnetic flux density without proportionally increasing the size, material usage, weight, current requirements, and complexity, making it difficult to achieve high magnetic flux densities efficiently.

Innovation Solution

The use of conductive coils in conjunction with superconductor structures, specifically shaped to concentrate or guide magnetic fields, allowing for increased magnetic flux density within a smaller area by expelling or partially allowing magnetic fields through channels within the superconductor materials, which are maintained at or below their critical temperature.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If the magnetic flux density of electro-magnets is increased, then the magnetic field strength is improved, but the size of the magnets increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic flux densityVSAvoidsize of magnets
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The magnet system is divided into two functional segments: a superconducting magnet that generates a base magnetic field and a permanent magnet array that provides field enhancement. This segmentation allows each component to operate in its optimal regime, with the superconducting magnet providing stable baseline field and the permanent magnets adding flux density without proportionally increasing overall system size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs a composite magnetic system combining superconducting materials (for the generating magnet) with permanent magnet materials (for field enhancement). This composite approach leverages the high field stability of superconductors and the high flux density capability of permanent magnets to achieve enhanced magnetic flux density in a more compact configuration than conventional single-type electro-magnets.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Illumination intensity

If the magnetic flux density of electro-magnets is increased, then the magnetic field strength is improved, but the amount of material utilized in the magnets increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic flux densityVSAvoidamount of material utilized
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The magnet system is divided into two functional segments: a superconducting magnet that generates a base magnetic field and a permanent magnet array that provides field enhancement. This segmentation allows each component to operate in its optimal regime, with the superconducting magnet providing stable baseline field and the permanent magnets adding flux density without proportionally increasing overall system size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs a composite magnetic system combining superconducting materials (for the generating magnet) with permanent magnet materials (for field enhancement). This composite approach leverages the high field stability of superconductors and the high flux density capability of permanent magnets to achieve enhanced magnetic flux density with reduced total material consumption compared to conventional electro-magnets.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Illumination intensity

If the magnetic flux density of electro-magnets is increased, then the magnetic field strength is improved, but the weight of the magnets increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic flux densityVSAvoidweight of magnets
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention employs a composite magnetic system combining superconducting materials (for the generating magnet) with permanent magnet materials (for field enhancement). This composite approach leverages the high field stability of superconductors and the high flux density capability of permanent magnets to achieve enhanced magnetic flux density with reduced total material consumption and weight compared to conventional electro-magnets requiring equivalent field strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Illumination intensity

If the magnetic flux density of electro-magnets is increased, then the magnetic field strength is improved, but the current requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic flux densityVSAvoidcurrent requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The magnet system is divided into two functional segments: a superconducting magnet that generates a base magnetic field and a permanent magnet array that provides field enhancement. This segmentation allows each component to operate in its optimal regime, with the superconducting magnet providing stable baseline field and the permanent magnets adding flux density without proportionally increasing overall system size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

5Illumination intensity

If the magnetic flux density of electro-magnets is increased, then the magnetic field strength is improved, but the cooling requirements of the magnets increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic flux densityVSAvoidcooling requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The magnet system is divided into two functional segments: a superconducting magnet that generates a base magnetic field and a permanent magnet array that provides field enhancement. This segmentation allows each component to operate in its optimal regime, with the superconducting magnet providing stable baseline field and the permanent magnets adding flux density without proportionally increasing overall system size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 enables a significant increase in magnetic flux density, such as from 2-3 Tesla to 7 Tesla, while reducing the size and weight of magnetic field generation devices, and lowering current and cooling requirements, thus improving efficiency and reducing costs.

Implementation Method 1

The one or more superconductor structures can be shaped to concentrate or guide the one or more magnetic fields generated by the one or more coils

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMeissner effect: Meissner Effect

Implementation Method 2

The one or more superconductor structures can be disposed in one or more predetermined positions with relation to the one or more coils

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuperconductivity: Superconductivity

Data Source

PatentUS11703552B2Magnetic field concentrating and or guiding devices and methods
Publication Date: 2023.07.18 VARIAN MEDICAL SYST PARTICLE THERAPY GMBH & CO KG
  • US11703552B2 patent drawing
  • US11703552B2 patent drawing
  • US11703552B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A magnetic field concentrating or guiding device can include one or more coils, and one or more foil, tape and/or bulk superconductor structures disposed in one or more predetermined positions with relation to the coils. The one or more superconductor structures can form one or more magnetic field carrying regions. During operation, current passing through the one or more coils can generate one or more magnetic fields that are compressed or guided in the magnetic field carrying regions.