Automated superconducting magnet ramp-up system and method
First Claim
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1. A method for automatically controlling ramp-up of a superconducting magnet, comprising:
- connecting a power supply to the superconducting magnet;
determining constraining parameters of the ramp-up, wherein constraining parameters comprise magnet current during a first phase of the ramp-up and comprise magnet frequency or field strength during a second phase of the ramp-up;
applying power to the superconducting magnet;
automatically controlling the ramp-up based on the constraining parameters, wherein a switching point specifies when constraining parameters change between the first phase and second phase; and
continuing ramp-up until a predetermined value of a target parameter is reached.
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Abstract
The present invention provides for a novel technique for placing superconducting magnets into operation. For example, the technique provides for automatically controlling ramp-up of a superconducting magnet. In one aspect, the technique includes connecting a power supply to the magnet, determining constraining parameters of the ramp-up, automatically applying power to the magnet, automatically controlling the ramp-up based on the constraining parameters, and wherein the ramp-up is complete upon reaching a predetermined value of a target parameter.
17 Citations
49 Claims
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1. A method for automatically controlling ramp-up of a superconducting magnet, comprising:
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connecting a power supply to the superconducting magnet; determining constraining parameters of the ramp-up, wherein constraining parameters comprise magnet current during a first phase of the ramp-up and comprise magnet frequency or field strength during a second phase of the ramp-up; applying power to the superconducting magnet; automatically controlling the ramp-up based on the constraining parameters, wherein a switching point specifies when constraining parameters change between the first phase and second phase; and continuing ramp-up until a predetermined value of a target parameter is reached. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for automatically controlling a ramp-up of a superconducting magnet, comprising:
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applying power to the magnet constrained by a target current ramp-up rate and magnet temperature during a first phase of ramp-up; applying power to the magnet constrained by a target magnetic field strength or frequency and by magnet temperature during a second phase of ramp-up, wherein transition from the first phase to the second phase occurs automatically without operator intervention; and terminating application of power to the magnet upon reaching a target magnetic field strength or frequency. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A system for automatically ramping a superconducting magnet, comprising:
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an autoramp controller coupled to a power supply and configured to control a automatic ramp of the magnet; the power supply coupled via charge lines to the magnet for supplying current to the magnet; the power supply coupled via sense lines to the magnet for measuring magnet current; one or more magnet temperature sensors coupled via an analog-to-digital converter to the autoramp controller for measuring magnet temperature; and a magnet field strength or frequency sensor coupled via a meter to the autoramp controller for measuring magnet field strength or frequency. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A superconducting magnet system, comprising:
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one or more magnets; a cryogen vessel disposed in the superconducting magnet system and holding a cryogen for cooling the one or more magnets; an autoramp controller coupled to a power supply and configured to control a automatic ramp of the magnet; the power supply connected via charge lines to the magnet for providing current to the magnet; the power supply connected via sense lines to the magnet for reading magnet current; one or more magnet temperature sensors for measuring magnet temperature coupled via an analog-to-digital converter to the autoramp controller; and a magnet field strength or frequency sensor for measuring magnet field strength or frequency coupled via a meter to the autoramp controller. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A system for automatically controlling ramp-up of a superconducting magnet, comprising:
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means for connecting a power supply to the magnet; means for determining constraining parameters of the ramp-up, wherein constraining parameters comprise magnet current and temperature during a first phase of the ramp-up and comprise magnet frequency or field strength and temperature during a second phase of the ramp-up; means for applying power to the magnet; means for automatically controlling the ramp-up based on the constraining parameters, wherein a switching point specifies when constraining parameters change between the first phase and second phase; and means for continuing ramp-up until a predetermined value of a target parameter is reached. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. A system for automatically controlling a ramp-up of a superconducting magnet, comprising:
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means for applying power to the magnet constrained by a target current ramp-up rate and magnet temperature during a first phase of ramp-up; means for applying power to the magnet constrained by a target magnetic field strength or frequency and by magnet temperature during a second phase of ramp-up, wherein transition from the first phase to the second phase occurs automatically without operator intervention; and means for terminating application of power to the magnet upon reaching a target magnetic field strength or frequency. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
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Specification