Self-propelled self-referencing vehicle magnet winding method and system
AssigneeGeneral Atomics
InventorsCarlos Paz-Soldan, Andrew Benson, Paul Beharrell, Daniel Mullins
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for winding electrical coils (electromagnets) is described. A self-propelled and self-referencing winding vehicle uses features on a winding bobbin to guide the direction and/or orientation of the vehicle, while laying electrical conductor material (e.g., high-temperature superconducting (HTS) tapes) as it traverses the bobbin. The vehicle may wind electrical coils with complex shapes. In some embodiments, the self-propelled, self-referencing (SPSR) vehicle may perform other magnet fabrication and assembly procedures.
Claims35
A system for winding electrical conductor material, comprising:
- a stationary bobbin including a continuous looped winding trough;
- a vehicle including a frame and being movably coupled to the stationary bobbin and configured to:
- traverse the bobbin;
- and
- while traversing the bobbin, continuously dispense continuous electrical conductor material into the continuous looped winding trough, whereby a plurality of coils of the electrical conductor material are placed in the winding trough.
A method for winding electrical conductor material, comprising:
- traversing of a stationary bobbin by a vehicle, wherein the bobbin includes a continuous looped winding trough configured to receive the electrical conductor material;
- and
- while the vehicle is traversing the stationary bobbin, continuously dispensing the electrical conductor material from the vehicle into the looped winding trough, whereby a plurality of coils of the electrical conductor material are placed in the winding trough.
A method for manufacturing a system for winding electrical conductor material, comprising:
- manufacturing a bobbin including a continuous looped winding trough;
- supporting the bobbin above a fixed base in a stationary position;
- manufacturing a winding vehicle, wherein the vehicle includes a frame and is configured to continuously dispense continuous electrical conductor material;
- movably coupling the vehicle to the bobbin such that the vehicle is configured to continuously dispense the electrical conductor material into the winding trough as the vehicle traverses the bobbin along the winding trough.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.