Method and device for magnetic space radiation shield providing isotropic protection

• US 7,484,691 B2
• Filed: 06/30/2005
• Issued: 02/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Kinstler, Gary A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Barrera; Ramon M
• Application Number:
  US11/171,967
• Publication Number:
  US 20060169931A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,314 Days
• Field of Search: 174/353, 174/391, 174/396, 335/216, 335/301, 244/171.7, 244/171.8
• US Class Current: 244/171.7
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/54 Protection against radiation
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/543 protecting the crew in manned spacecraft
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 6/00 Space suits
• CPC Class Codes: G21F 5/00 Transportable or portable shielded containers

Abstract

There is provided a radiation shield device for providing radiation protection to an area, such as a manned vehicle. The radiation shield device comprises a magnetic field generator, such as a solenoid, of superconductive material that provides a magnetic field around the area to shield the area from radiation. The magnetic field generator preferably comprises at least one trapezoidal portion to provide substantially isotropic protection to the area. A thermal control system, comprising a limited amount of coolant or a refrigeration cycle, is included to control a temperature of the superconductive material during operation of the magnetic field generator. A magnetic shield device may also be provided between the magnetic field generator and the area to be shielded from radiation to substantially shield the area from the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generator.

Claims

1. A radiation shield device for providing substantially isotropic radiation protection to an area, the radiation shield device comprising:

a magnetic field generator comprising superconductive material for providing a magnetic field around the area to shield the area from radiation, wherein the magnetic field generator further comprises at least one trapezoidal portion;

a passive magnetic shield device comprising a layer of high magnetic permeability/saturation material disposed between the magnetic field generator and the area;

a spike extending from the magnetic shield device in a direction away from an interior of the area and configured to at least partially shape the magnetic field; and

a thermal control system for controlling a temperature of the superconductive material.

2. A radiation shield device according to claim 1 wherein the magnetic field generator comprises a solenoid.

3. A radiation shield device according to claim 1 wherein the magnetic field generator provides a magnetic field having a magnetic flux density of 0.5 to 10 Tesla.

4. A radiation shield device according to claim 1 wherein the superconductive material of the magnetic field generator comprises a coil of Niobium-Titanium embedded in a copper wire.

5. A radiation shield device according to claim 1 wherein the magnetic field generator defines a central axis, and wherein the spike is axially aligned with the central axis of the magnetic field generator.

6. A radiation shield device according to claim 1 wherein the spike is spaced from each magnetic field generator.

7. A radiation shield device for providing substantially isotropic radiation protection to an area, the radiation shield device comprising:

a magnetic field generator comprising superconductive material for providing substantially isotropic radiation protection around the area to shield the area from radiation;

a spike spaced apart from each magnetic field generator, extending from the area in a direction away from an interior of the area and configured to at least partially shape a magnetic field created by the magnetic field generator; and

a thermal control system for controlling a temperature of the superconductive material.

8. A radiation shield device according to claim 7 wherein the magnetic field generator comprises at least one trapezoidal portion.

9. A radiation shield device according to claim 7 wherein the magnetic field generator provides a magnetic field having a magnetic flux density of 0.5 to 10 Tesla.

10. A radiation shield device according to claim 9 wherein the magnetic superconductive material of the field generator comprises a coil of Niobium-Titanium embedded in a copper wire.

11. A radiation shield device according to claim 7 wherein the magnetic field generator is mounted on an outer portion of a satellite to substantially isotropically protect an area of the satellite from radiation.

12. A radiation shield device according to claim 7, further comprising a magnetic shield device for substantially shielding the area from the magnetic field generated by the solenoid of superconductive material.

13. A radiation shield device according to claim 12 wherein the magnetic shield device comprises a passive magnetic shield device comprising a layer of high magnetic permeability/saturation material disposed between the magnetic field generator and the area, and wherein the spike extends from the magnetic shield device.

14. A radiation shield device according to claim 7 wherein the magnetic field generator defines a central axis, and wherein the spike is axially aligned with the central axis of the magnetic field generator.

15. A method of manufacturing a radiation shield device that provides isotropic radiation protection to an area, the method comprising the steps of:

installing a solenoid of superconductive material around the area to be shielded from radiation, wherein at least one solenoid of superconductive material comprises at least one trapezoidal portion, and wherein the solenoid defines a central axis;

providing a spike that is axially aligned with the central axis defined by the solenoid, that extends from the area in a direction away from an interior of the area and that is configured to at least partially shape a magnetic field created by the solenoid; and

providing a thermal control system in thermal communication with the superconductive material.

16. A method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of positioning a magnetic shield device between the solenoid of superconductive material and the area to be shielded from radiation.

17. A method according to claim 16 wherein positioning the magnetic shield device comprises positioning a passive magnetic shield device comprising a layer of high magnetic permeability/saturation material between the solenoid and the area such that the spike extends from the magnetic shield device.

18. A method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of providing a radiation detection device and method that determines the approach of radiation.

19. A method according to claim 15 wherein installing a solenoid of superconductive material comprises mounting a solenoid of superconductive material on an outer portion of the group consisting of:

a spacecraft, a personal protection suit, a ground habitat, or a satellite.

20. A method according to claim 15 wherein providing the spike comprises positioning the spike to be spaced apart from each solenoid.

21. A radiation shield device for providing substantially isotropic radiation protection to an area, the radiation shield device comprising:

a magnetic field generator for providing a magnetic field around the area to shield the area from radiation, said magnetic field generator defining a central axis; and

at least one spike of high magnetic permeability/saturation material extending from proximate a perimeter of the area in a direction away from a center of the area, said spike axially aligned with the central axis defined by the magnetic field generator.

22. A radiation shield device according to claim 21 wherein the magnetic field generator further comprises at least one trapezoidal portion.

23. A radiation shield device according to claim 21 wherein the magnetic field generator comprises a solenoid.

24. A radiation shield device according to claim 21 wherein the magnetic field generator provides a magnetic field having a magnetic flux density of 0.5 to 10 Tesla.

25. A radiation shield device according to claim 21 wherein the superconductive material of the magnetic field generator comprises a coil of Niobium-Titanium embedded in a copper wire.

26. A radiation shield device according to claim 21 wherein the magnetic field generator is mounted on an outer portion of a satellite to substantially isotropically protect an area of the satellite from radiation.

27. A radiation shield device according to claim 21, further comprising a magnetic shield device for substantially shielding the area from the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generator, wherein the magnetic shield device comprises a layer of high magnetic permeability/saturation material disposed between the magnetic field generator and the area to be shielded from radiation.

28. A radiation shield device according to claim 27 wherein the spike extends from the magnetic shield device.

29. A radiation shield device according to claim 21 wherein the spike of high magnetic permeability/saturation material comprises an element or alloy containing at least one of the following materials:

nickel, iron, copper, molybdenum, and chromium.

30. A radiation shield device according to claim 21 wherein the spike is spaced from each magnetic field generator.