Vacuum Structural Support for Conduction-Cooled Superconducting Magnets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Superconducting magnets require structural support that maintains mechanical integrity while allowing movement and minimizes heat transfer to maintain cryogenic temperatures, as conventional methods fail to effectively reduce conduction, convection, and radiation heat leaks.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum chamber with concentric or nested structural components made of low-heat conducting materials and reflective surfaces, coupled with a two-stage cryocooler, to reduce heat transfer by extending the conduction path and minimizing thermal conductivity, thereby maintaining the superconducting magnet at low temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional structural support methods are used, then mechanical integrity is maintained, but heat transfer increases causing temperature rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediate structural components (support plates, structural members) that serve as thermal barriers between the magnet and external environment. These intermediaries are made of materials with low thermal conductivity or are designed with features (vacuum gaps, insulating layers) that reduce heat conduction while still providing mechanical support, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining structural strength and reducing heat transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The structural support system employs composite construction combining materials with different thermal properties. The support structure integrates components with low thermal conductivity (such as specialized alloys, insulating materials, or composite structures) to minimize heat transfer paths while maintaining the necessary mechanical strength to support the magnet at cryogenic temperatures.
2Strength
If structural support is added to maintain mechanical integrity, then strength increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs structural components that perform multiple functions simultaneously. The support plates and structural members not only provide mechanical strength to maintain magnet integrity but also serve as thermal barriers and radiation shields. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining necessary strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure merges several protective functions into a unified system. The structural members are designed to combine mechanical support, thermal insulation, and radiation shielding functions in integrated components rather than separate elements, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining the required strength and thermal performance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the magnet is allowed to move, then operational versatility improves, but maintaining thermal insulation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic support mechanisms that allow controlled movement of the magnet while maintaining thermal isolation. The support structure includes movable elements (such as flexible connectors, adjustable mounts, or controlled displacement mechanisms) that enable the magnet to be repositioned or adjusted during operation without creating direct thermal conduction paths to the external environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The structural intermediaries are designed to accommodate movement while maintaining thermal barrier function. The support plates and structural members act as flexible thermal barriers that can adjust to magnet displacement without compromising the vacuum seal or thermal insulation, allowing operational versatility while preserving thermal isolation effectiveness.
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 effectively reduces heat transfer to the superconducting magnet, keeping it within the cooling capacity of the cryocooler, ensuring operational integrity and stability during movement, and maintaining the magnet at cryogenic temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
The support structure, along with other parts of the superconducting magnet, are placed within a vacuum vessel to substantially reduce or eliminate convection heat transfer to the superconducting coils or other cold mass
Implementation Method 2
The amount of cooling (removal of heat) that is provided by a two stage cryocooler can be a few tens of watts for the first stage achieving, for example, a temperature of 30-60 K, and a few watts for the second stage achieving 3-10 K. Therefore, the amount of heat transferred (also known as heat leak) to the superconducting magnet from the environment should be reduced to or be lower than the cooling capacity of the cryocooler
Implementation Method 3
at least some of the other enclosing structural components having reflective surfaces to reduce or eliminate radiation heat loss
Implementation Method 4
a two stage cryocooler (also known as a cryo-refrigerator) that makes physical contact with designated parts of the magnet system thereby extracting heat by way of conduction through the connected parts
Data Source
AI summary
A method, a system, and an article of manufacture are disclosed for a structure to support and thermally insulate superconducting magnets, which need to be cooled and kept cool at very low temperatures while also allowing rotational and translational movement of the magnet and/or magnet system without bending or otherwise deforming the support structure. In various embodiments, the support structure is placed within a vacuum vessel to substantially reduce or eliminate convection heat transfer. The support structure is further coupled with the superconducting magnet via enclosing structural components having sufficient second moment of inertia to resist bending forces, at least some of the enclosing structural components being made of low-heat conducting material, while at least some of the other enclosing structural components having reflective surfaces to reduce or eliminate radiation heat loss.