Superconducting Wire Metal Assembly for Conduction Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conduction cooled superconducting magnets face challenges in achieving effective cooling and maintaining high current density and magnetic field strength due to the limitations of liquid helium availability and inefficient thermal conduction methods, leading to larger and more expensive magnet designs.
Innovation Solution
A metal assembly comprising an insulated superconductive wire with a thermally conductive material layer surrounding the wire, providing isotropic thermal conduction properties when wound into a coil, allowing for efficient heat dissipation with reduced helium usage and enhanced cooling efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If separate thermal conduction passage ways with additional thermal conduction elements are arranged to improve cooling of inner parts, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the thermal conduction element with the electrical insulation layer into a single integrated component. The thermal conduction element serves dual purposes: providing thermal conduction pathways for cooling the inner parts of the winding and simultaneously serving as the electrical insulation between wire turns and layers, thereby reducing structural complexity while maintaining cooling effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal conduction element is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides thermal conduction for cooling, electrical insulation between layers, and structural support within the coil winding. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components, reducing both device complexity and volume
2Power
If higher current density is achieved to increase magnetic field strength, then magnetic field strength is improved, but thermal conduction efficiency deteriorates due to insufficient cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies thermal conduction elements specifically at the locations where heat generation is most intense - within the coil windings and at the inner parts. The thermal conduction elements are strategically positioned to provide localized heat removal pathways, ensuring that areas with highest current density and heat generation receive prioritized cooling
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal conduction element acts as an intermediary between the superconductive wire and the cooling system. It provides a dedicated thermal pathway that efficiently transfers heat from the wire to the cooling medium, enabling higher current densities to be sustained without thermal runaway
3Temperature
If liquid helium is used for effective cooling, then cooling efficiency is improved, but substance availability and cost worsen due to shortage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a conduction-cooled system where the thermal conduction elements and cooling pathways are self-contained within the magnet structure. The system uses internally integrated thermal conduction pathways that do not require external liquid helium circulation, making the cooling system autonomous and independent of liquid helium availability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the liquid helium-based cooling system with a conduction-cooled system that uses solid thermal conduction elements. This substitution eliminates the need for liquid helium while maintaining effective cooling through thermally conductive pathways integrated into the coil structure
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 metal assembly enables a more compact and efficient conduction cooled superconducting magnet with improved thermal conduction, reducing the size and helium requirements while maintaining high magnetic field strength and current density.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal conduction element comprising a thermally conductive material arranged as a layer at least partly surrounding the at least one insulated superconductive wire, such that the metal assembly, when wound into a coil, exhibits isotropic or essentially isotropic thermal conduction properties
Implementation Method 2
a superconductive wire, comprising a material that exhibits superconducting properties within a defined temperature range
Data Source
AI summary
A metal assembly (1) suitable for being wound into a coil and used in DC magnet applications. The metal assembly comprises an insulated superconductive wire (2) extending in a longitudinal direction. The insulated superconductive wire comprises a superconductive wire (4), comprising a material (5) that exhibits superconducting properties within a defined temperature range embedded in a metal matrix (6), and an electrically insulating layer (7) arranged as a coating on the superconductive wire. The metal assembly further comprises a thermal conduction element (3) comprising a thermally conductive material arranged as a layer at least partly surrounding the insulated superconductive wire, such that the metal assembly, when wound into a coil, exhibits isotropic or essentially isotropic thermal conduction properties.