Thermoelectric method and apparatus for charging superconducting magnets
First Claim
1. A method for charging a superconducting magnet coil which comprises the steps of:
- providing a magnet coil formed from a superconducting material;
placing said magnet coil in a dewar filled with a cryogenic liquid capable of cooling said coil to a temperature below the critical temperature of said superconducting material;
placing at least one first thermocouple, formed from dissimilar materials, in a cold region;
placing at least one second thermocouple, formed from dissimilar materials, in a hot region; and
electrically connecting said coil and said first and second thermocouples in series;
whereby a current will flow through said first and second thermocouples and said coil, charging said coil.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for charging superconducting magnet coils using the Seebeck effect of thermoelectric materials. Superconducting magnet coils are wound from a superconducting material, such as niobium-titanium, and placed in a cryogenic dewar to cool the coil below the critical temperature at which the coil becomes superconducting. The coil can be charged by providing a suitable thermocouple junction outside the dewar and a reference thermocouple junction inside the dewar and connecting the junctions to the coil in a manner providing charging current flow to the coil in accordance with the Seebeck effect. This method is particularly desirable for use with lightweight magnet systems for use in such applications as magnetic levitation systems for trains, space applications, etc. where the present heavy switching power supplies are undesirable.
198 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for charging a superconducting magnet coil which comprises the steps of:
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providing a magnet coil formed from a superconducting material; placing said magnet coil in a dewar filled with a cryogenic liquid capable of cooling said coil to a temperature below the critical temperature of said superconducting material; placing at least one first thermocouple, formed from dissimilar materials, in a cold region; placing at least one second thermocouple, formed from dissimilar materials, in a hot region; and electrically connecting said coil and said first and second thermocouples in series; whereby a current will flow through said first and second thermocouples and said coil, charging said coil. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A superconducting magnet coil apparatus having means for charging the coil using the Seebeck effect, which comprises:
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a magnet coil formed from a superconducting material; a dewar surrounding said coil; said dewar adapted to contain a cryogenic liquid capable of cooling said coil below the critical temperature of said superconducting material; a first thermocouple means, formed from dissimilar materials, located outside said dewar; a second thermocouple means, formed from dissimilar materials, located in a lower temperature region than said first thermocouple means; wiring means connecting said coil and said first and second thermocouples in series; whereby a current will flow through said first and second thermocouple means and said coil to charge said coil. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for charging a superconducting magnet coil which comprises the steps of:
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providing a magnet coil formed from a superconducting material; placing said magnet coil in a dewar filled with a cryogenic liquid capable of cooling said coil to a temperature below the critical temperature of said superconducting material; placing at least one first thermocouple, formed from dissimilar materials in said dewar; placing at least one second thermocouple, formed from dissimilar materials outside said dewar; and electrically connecting said coil and said first and second thermocouples in series; whereby a current will flow through said first and second thermocouples and said coil, charging said coil. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. A superconducting magnet coil apparatus having means for charging the coil using the Seebeck effect, which comprises:
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a magnet coil formed from a superconducting material; a dewar surrounding said coil; said dewar adapted to contain a cryogenic liquid capable of cooling said coil below the critical temperature of said superconducting material; a first thermocouple means, formed from dissimilar materials located outside said dewar; a second thermocouple means, formed from dissimilar materials located inside said dewar; wiring means connecting said coil and said first and second thermocouples in series; whereby a current will flow through said first and second thermocouple means and said coil to charge said coil. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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Specification