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US 2009/0212891 A1Published application
Coil energization apparatus and method of energizing a superconductive coil
AssigneeSiemens Aktiengesellschaft
InventorKevin Jonathan Hickman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A coil energizing apparatus has a superconducting energization power supply having an output port. The power supply is arranged to generate, when in use, a pulsed output current signal at the output port.
Claims8
A method for introducing current into a superconducting magnet having a superconducting switch connected across terminals of the superconducting magnet, the method comprising the steps of:
- connecting a controlled switch across the superconducting switch, the controlled switch being selected to respond more rapidly to control signals than the superconducting switch;
- controlling the controlled switch to be in an OFF state;
- applying a progressively increasing continuous current through current leads into the superconducting magnet, until a first limiting value is reached;
- applying a pulsed current through the current leads to the magnet, wherein the pulses of current are of greater magnitude than the first limiting value, and the controlled switch is controlled to be in an ON state when current is not flowing through the current leads;
- once a desired current is flowing in the superconducting magnet, ceasing application of the pulsed current and maintaining the controlled switch in an ON state until the superconducting switch becomes superconducting;
- controlling the controlled switch to an OFF state, such that the current in the magnet flows through the current leads;
- and
- reducing the current flowing in the current leads such that increasing current flows through the superconducting switch.
5 more elements
An arrangement for introducing current into a superconducting magnet having a superconducting switch connected across terminals of the superconducting magnet, said arrangement:
- a controlled switch across the superconducting switch, the controlled switch being selected to respond more rapidly to control signals than the superconducting switch;
- and
- a controller configured to control the controlled switch to be in an OFF state, apply a progressively increasing continuous current through current leads into the superconducting magnet, until a first limiting value is reached, apply a pulsed current through the current leads to the magnet, wherein the pulses of current are of greater magnitude than the first limiting value, and the controlled switch is controlled to be in an ON state when current is not flowing through the current leads, once a desired current is flowing in the superconducting magnet, cease application of the pulsed current and maintaining the controlled switch in an ON state until the superconducting switch becomes superconducting, control the controlled switch to an OFF state, such that the current in the magnet flows through the current leads, and
- reduce the current flowing in the current leads such that increasing current flows through the superconducting switch.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.