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At least 433 records · Page 24

The CLAS12 superconducting magnets

As part of the Jefferson Lab 12 GeV upgrade, the Hall B CLAS12 system requires two superconducting iron-free magnets — a torus and a solenoid. The physics requirements to maximize space for the detectors guided engineers toward particular coil designs for each of the magnets which, in turn, led to the choice of using conduction cooling. The torus consists of 6 trapezoidal NbTi coils connected in series with an operating current of 3770 A. The solenoid is an actively shielded 5 T magnet consisting of 5 NbTi coils connected in series operating at 2416 A. Within the hall, the two magnets are located in close proximity to each other and are completely covered both inside and outside by particle detectors. Stringent size limitations were imposed for both magnets and introduced particular design and fabrication challenges. This paper describes the design, construction, installation, commissioning, and operation of the two magnets.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Calibration and Localization of Optically Pumped Magnetometers Using Electromagnetic Coils

In this paper, we propose a method to estimate the position, orientation, and gain of a magnetic field sensor using a set of (large) electromagnetic coils. We apply the method for calibrating an array of optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs) for magnetoencephalography (MEG). We first measure the magnetic fields of the coils at multiple known positions using a well-calibrated triaxial magnetometer, and model these discreetly sampled fields using vector spherical harmonics (VSH) functions. We then localize and calibrate an OPM by minimizing the sum of squared errors between the model signals and the OPM responses to the coil fields. We show that by using homogeneous and first-order gradient fields, the OPM sensor parameters (gain, position, and orientation) can be obtained from a set of linear equations with pseudo-inverses of two matrices. The currents that should be applied to the coils for approximating these low-order field components can be determined based on the VSH models. Computationally simple initial estimates of the OPM sensor parameters follow. As a first test of the method, we placed a fluxgate magnetometer at multiple positions and estimated the RMS position, orientation, and gain errors of the method to be 1.0 mm, 0.2°, and 0.8%, respectively. Lastly, we calibrated a 48-channel OPM array. The accuracy of the OPM calibration was tested by using the OPM array to localize magnetic dipoles in a phantom, which resulted in an average dipole position error of 3.3 mm. The results demonstrate the feasibility of using electromagnetic coils to calibrate and localize OPMs for MEG.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Magnetic Bearing With Radial and Angular Control

Active magnetic bearing stably levitates rotor against radial (lateral) and axial motion and points rotor axis in controllable direction, yet allows rotor to turn freely about own axis. Rotor only moving part, and absence of mechanical contact between rotor and stator assures long life. Active magnetic bearing includes electromagnet coils tilting rotor clockwise or counterclockwise, or move it right or left. Feedback control system maintains rotor at equilibrium radial and angular positions in response to signals from position sensors. No active control needed to maintain equilibrium axial position. Adjustable magnetic bearing useful in high-speed rotating devices, robotic joints, and supports for optical elements.

Studer, P. A.↗

“Mirror” magnet experiment for quench studies, quench analysis techniques development and in support of superconducting magnet modeling

In order to progress on various research points related to superconducting magnets, we suggest performing series of tests with induced and natural quenches on a mirror magnet, probably using a “11 T” coil. The “mirror” is to have voltage taps instrumented on half the strands, on both coil ends. It is to be instrumented with multiple spot-heaters, of the order of ten, in designated pole-turn areas. Instrumentation is to include quench antenna array facing the inner coil surface, as well as acoustic sensors on the inner layer pole. Further, acoustic sensors at the magnet ends and an acoustic calibration transducer are to be installed. Thus, we are to test sensitivity and precision of acoustic and quench antenna (QA) array sensors, both at close proximity to the coil, and we are to test and commission acoustic on-magnet real-time “calibration”. New or extended DAQ will be tested as well. In addition to diagnostic development, the purpose of the magnet experiment is to investigate current redistribution in the coil, both during quenching and in operating conditions; to assess voltage build up across strands and in the coil segments during quenching, to explore voltage signature differentiation between different type of quenches; to improve modeling of processes during quenching and for magnet design purposes. In this experiment, we expect to be able to characterize the processes during a quench in unprecedented details.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Study of the Heater-Coil Electrical Insulation for the HL-LHC Low Beta Quadrupoles

In the framework of the HL-LHC project, the present LHC low-β superconducting quadrupoles will be substituted with higher performance Nb 3 Sn magnets (MQXF) with 11.4 T coil peak field. MQXF coils are impregnated with epoxy resin to reduce risk of stress concentration on the brittle conductor. The magnet quench protection is provided by CLIQ and quench heaters to ensure a redundant system. Quench heaters are impregnated with the coils in order to have suitable thermal contact with them, and to prevent the hot spot temperature from exceeding 350K during normal operation in case of a quench. Quench heaters are insulated from the coil by S-2 Glass and polyimide. Here, the test of the first MQXF prototype (4 m long) MQXFAP1 was stopped by a coil-to-ground short circuit triggered by a heater-to-coil short. This issue triggered a root analysis of the causes of this short. Here we prove that the use of a non-conforming cloth in coil impregnation, further weakened by non-conforming high voltage test, has triggered the shorts. Moreover, we present an analysis of the heater-to-coil insulation strength, showing the role of blistering phenomena and how they are triggered by a combination of magnet powering and heater firing.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Stellarator Simplification using Permanent Magnets (PM4Stell)

This Report describes the design and prototyping of an array of rare-Earth permanent magnets to form a stellarator. This effort was motivated by the hypothesis that the usage of permanent magnets, rather than electromagnetic coils with complex geometry, could reduce the cost of stellarator construction and thereby make increase the feasibility of the stellarator as a technology for a fusion-based power plant. In this project, we have developed novel methods for specifying the positions, shapes, and polarizations of the magnets in the array, and have developed designs for mounting structures and tooling for assembly. We have also performed detailed finite-element modeling to qualify the accuracy of the magnetic field produced by the magnet array as designed, and to confirm that the structure can withstand the forces between the magnets. We have also developed techniques for measuring the magnetic field produced by the array once constructed, as well as for correcting errors in the field arising from misalignments and offsets within the tolerances for mounting and fabrication. Finally, we have constructed a tabletop prototype of a section of the array to qualify the concept for assembling and mounting magnets within the array.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Stellarator Simplification using Permanent Magnets (PM4Stell)

This Report describes the design and prototyping of an array of rare-Earth permanent magnets to form a stellarator. This effort was motivated by the hypothesis that the usage of permanent magnets, rather than electromagnetic coils with complex geometry, could reduce the cost of stellarator construction and thereby make increase the feasibility of the stellarator as a technology for a fusion-based power plant. In this project, we have developed novel methods for specifying the positions, shapes, and polarizations of the magnets in the array, and have developed designs for mounting structures and tooling for assembly. We have also performed detailed finite-element modeling to qualify the accuracy of the magnetic field produced by the magnet array as designed, and to confirm that the structure can withstand the forces between the magnets. We have also developed techniques for measuring the magnetic field produced by the array once constructed, as well as for correcting errors in the field arising from misalignments and offsets within the tolerances for mounting and fabrication. Finally, we have constructed a tabletop prototype of a section of the array to qualify the concept for assembling and mounting magnets within the array.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Magnetic suspension characteristics of electromagnetic actuators

Electromagnetic actuators that use a current-carrying coil (which is placed in a magnetic field) to generate mechanical force are conceptually attractive components for active control of rotating shafts. In one concept that is being tested in the laboratory, the control forces from such actuators are applied on the flexibly supported bearing housings of the rotor. Development of this concept into a practical reality requires a clear and thorough understanding of the role of electromechanical parameters of these actuators in delivering the right amount of control force at the right phase into the rotor. The electromechanical parameters of the actuators investigated are the mass of the armature, stiffness of its suspension, electrical resistance, and inductance of the coils. Improper selection of these parameters can result in degradation in their performance, leading to mistuning between the actuator and the rotor. Through a simple analysis, it is shown that use of such mistuned actuators could result in sharp fluctuations in the phase of the control force delivered into the rotor around the critical speeds. These sharp fluctuations in phase, called 'Phase Glitches', are undesirable. Hence, future designs of controllers should take into account the undesirable mistuning effects between the actuator and the rotor caused by the phase glitches.

Rao, Dantam K.↗

Continuous Cooling from 10 K to 4 K Using a Toroidal ADR

Future large infrared space telescopes will require cooling to 4K to achieve background limited performance for submillimeter wavelengths. These observatories will require lifetimes of many years and will have relatively large cooling requirements making stored helium dewars impractical. We have designed and are building an adiabatic demagnetization refrigerator (ADR) for use in cooling relatively large loads (10- 100 mW) at 4K and rejecting that heat to a cryocooler operating at 1 OK. Cryocoolers below 1 OK have poor thermodynamic efficiency and ADRs can operate in this temperature range with an efficiency of 75% of Carnot or better. Overall, this can save as much as 2/3 of the input power required to operate a 4K cryocooler. The ADR magnet consists of 8 short coils wired in series and arranged in a toroid to provide self shielding of its magnetic field. This will save mass (about 30% of the mass or about 1.5 kg in our small version, higher percentages in higher cooling power, larger versions) that would have been used for passive or active shields in an ordinary solenoid. The toroid has a 100 mm outer diameter and will produce an approximately 3T average field. In the initial demonstration model the toroid coils will be wound with ordinary NbTi wire and operated at 4K. A second version will then use Nb3Sn wire to provide complete 10K operation. As a refrigerant for this temperature range we will use either GdLiF4 or GdF3 crystals, pending tests of these crystals' cooling capacity per field and thermal conductance. Preliminary indications are that these materials are superior to GGG. We will use gas gap heat switches to alternately connect the toroid to the cold load and the warm heat sink. A small continuous stage will maintain the cold end at 4K while the main toroid is recycled.

DiPirro, Michael J.↗

Electromagnetic propulsion system

An electromagnetic propulsion system comprises a plurality of stator coils wound about a first axis, a plurality of support structures, a coupler that surrounds a portion of the stator coils, and a plurality of rotor coils wound about an axis that is parallel to the first axis. The stator coils are configured to receive electric current to induce a first magnetic field. The support structures support the stator coils. The coupler includes a notch oriented so that one of the support structures can pass through the notch when the coupler moves along the stator coils. The rotor coils are attached to the coupler and are configured to receive electric current to induce a magnetic field that interacts with the first magnetic field so that a magnetic force is applied to the rotor coils, thereby propelling the coupler and the rotor coils along the stator coils.

Hartman, Seth↗

Superconducting rock magnetometer system

A three axis magnetometer system intended for use in the magnetic measurement of lunar rock samples was designed, fabricated and delivered to NASA Manned Spacecraft Center. The system has a four inch diameter room temperature sample access region and is fitted with three orthogonal magnetic field sensors enclosing this region. Two superconducting magnetic shields are incorporated, which are designed to eliminate external magnetic noise from the sense coils. A superconducting solenoid is mounted coaxially with the sample region and this provides axial magnetic fields up to 1,000 gauss. The system was designed for measuring magnetic moments of geophysical samples, especially remanent moments of lunar samples. The sensitivity of the system in all three axes is about 2 x 10 to the -7th power EMU square root HZ peak to peak, measured in the 0 to 1 Hz bandwidth.

Source record↗

In orbit manufacture of solar reflector satellites

The implementation of an idea reported by Oberth (1929) is discussed. This idea is concerned with the reflection of sunlight to the ground by means of orbiting metal mirrors. The approach used for implementing Oberth's idea makes use of aluminized Mylar as a reflecting material which is supported with the aid of a structure which includes six booms and a peripheral mirror cable. Four low resistance one turn coils are formed by the structure. Magnetic forces for attitude maneuvers are obtained by energizing the coils. A bipropellant propulsion system is to be used to raise the initial 330 km circular parking orbit to a 330 by 1000 km elliptic orbit. Two thrusters are employed. They are oriented parallel to each other and the mirror surface. The mirror satellite can be completely folded so as to maximize the launch capability of the Shuttle.

Muller, R. M.↗

Linear magnetic spring and spring/motor combination

A magnetic spring, or a spring and motor combination, providing a linear spring force characteristic in each direction from a neutral position, in which the spring action may occur for any desired coordinate of a typical orthogonal coordinate system. A set of magnets are disposed, preferably symmetrically about a coordinate axis, poled orthogonally to the desired force direction. A second set of magnets, respectively poled opposite the first set, are arranged on the sprung article. The magnets of one of the sets are spaced a greater distance apart than those of the other, such that an end magnet from each set forms a pair having preferably planar faces parallel to the direction of spring force, the faces being offset so that in a neutral position the outer edge of the closer spaced magnet set is aligned with the inner edge of the greater spaced magnet set. For use as a motor, a coil can be arranged with conductors orthogonal to both the magnet pole directions and the direction of desired spring force, located across from the magnets of one set and fixed with respect to the magnets of the other set. In a cylindrical coordinate system having axial spring force, the magnets are radially poled and motor coils are concentric with the cylinder axis.

Patt, Paul J.↗

Magnetic spin reduction system for free spinning objects

A spinning Earth satellite is shown in which it is desired to reduce the rotation or spin to a level that the satellite may be secured or handled remotely from a spacecraft. This is accomplished by the spacecraft having a mast carrying an electrical current coil which encircles the satellite. The magnetic field of the coil is normal to the spin axis of the satellite which causes circular eddy current flow in the housing of the satellite. This generates magnetic force opposing the rotation. In another embodiment the magnetic field is generated by the use of an electromagnet on a remote manipulation arm.

Vontiesenhausen, G. F.↗

Design and prototype fabrication of a 30 tesla cryogenic magnet

A liquid-neon-cooled magnet has been designed to produce 30 teslas in steady operation. Its feasibility was established by a previously reported parametric study. To ensure the correctness of the heat transfer relationships used, supercritical neon heat transfer tests were made. Other tests made before the final design included tests on the effect of the magnetic field on pump motors; tensile-shear tests on the cryogenic adhesives; and simulated flow studies for the coolant. The magnet will be made of two pairs of coils, cooled by forced convection of supercritical neon. Heat from the supercritical neon will be rejected through heat exchangers which are made of roll-bonded copper panels and are submerged in a pool of saturated liquid neon. A partial mock-up coil was wound to identify the tooling required to wind the magnet. This was followed by winding a prototype pair of coils. The prototype winding established procedures for fabricating the final magnet and revealed slight changes needed in the final design.

Prok, G. M.↗

Development of a 32 Inch Diameter Levitated Ducted Fan Conceptual Design

The NASA John H. Glenn Research Center has developed a revolutionary 32 in. diameter Levitated Ducted Fan (LDF) conceptual design. The objective of this work is to develop a viable non-contact propulsion system utilizing Halbach arrays for all-electric flight, and many other applications. This concept will help to reduce harmful emissions, reduce the Nation s dependence on fossil fuels, and mitigate many of the concerns and limitations encountered in conventional aircraft propulsors. The physical layout consists of a ducted fan drum rotor with blades attached at the outer diameter and supported by a stress tuner ring at the inner diameter. The rotor is contained within a stator. This concept exploits the unique physical dimensions and large available surface area to optimize a custom, integrated, electromagnetic system that provides both the levitation and propulsion functions. The rotor is driven by modulated electromagnetic fields between the rotor and the stator. When set in motion, the time varying magnetic fields interact with passive coils in the stator assembly to produce repulsive forces between the stator and the rotor providing magnetic suspension. LDF can provide significant improvements in aviation efficiency, reliability, and safety, and has potential application in ultra-efficient motors, computers, and space power systems.

Eichenberg, Dennis J.↗

Comparison Between MAD-IPA Thrust Stand Measurements and Performance Modeling

The high specific impulse values associated with electric propulsion (EP) that allow for higher payload fractions than conventional, chemical propulsion are achieved by the acceleration of ionized propellant (plasma) by electromagnetic body forces. The lifetime of many EP devices is limited by electrode erosion caused by direct plasma-electrode interaction, while the efficiency is often limited by, among other thruster-specific factors, the available power in space. The efficiency can be increased during higher power operation since the amount of power required to ionize the propellant is fixed and decreases as a percentage of the increased input power. Pulsed inductive plasma accelerators [1-3] are a potentially elegant solution to the problems of high power demands and electrode erosion. The former is addressed in the pulsed nature of these devices, which allows for instantaneous operation on the order of megawatts while requiring a continuous supply on the order of only kilowatts, while the latter is addressed by inductive coupling of the thruster to ionized propellant. These devices operate by rapidly (on the order of microseconds) discharging stored energy at a given pulse repetition rate through a coil creating time-varying magnetic and electric fields that cause ionization, current formation and acceleration of propellant away from the coil. While the inductive (contact-less) nature of the energy transfer from the thruster to the propellant alleviates the problem of erosion and enables the use of in-situ and storable propellants incompatible with metallic electrodes, it places high voltage demands (on the order of tens of kilovolts) on the energy storage system to achieve propellant ionization.

Hallock, Ashley K.↗

Pop-up Langmuir probe diagnostic in the water cooled divertor of Wendelstein 7-X

The design, development, and successful implementation of pop-up Langmuir probes installed in the water-cooled divertor of W7-X are described. The probes are controlled by drive coils (actuators) installed behind the divertor plates. These drive coils make use of the magnetic field in W7-X to move the probe tips into and out of the plasma. The drive coils were installed in the vacuum vessel after extensively testing the durability of the coils and analyzing the criteria for safe operation. The probe design is carefully tailored for each of the 36 probe tips in order to be suitable for the different magnetic field configurations used in W7-X and ensure that the probes do not present leading edges to the magnetic flux tubes. An electronic bridge circuit is used for measurement to compensate for the effects of signal propagation time on the long cable lengths used. The diagnostic is integrated with the segment control of W7-X for automated operation and control of the diagnostic. The evaluation of the results from the plasma operation is presented after accounting for appropriate sheath expansion for negative bias voltage on the probes.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗