US 4,904,971 A · Superconductive electromagnet

Abstract

A superconducting electromagnet comprising an outer core having an aperture; an inner core having a periphery characterized for complementary insertion into the outer core aperture leaving a uniform gap therebetween and a frame means for coupling the outer and inner cores into a fixed position relation. A magnetizing means, such as a coil on the inner core develops an initial flux field. The flux field passes through the inner core, the first gap, the outer core, across the second gap to the inner core in response to excitation of the magnetizing means. The outer and inner cores are coated on all surfaces except opposing inner and outer core gap surfaces with superconductive material. The superconductive material is applied to the outer and inner cores at regions selected to pass induced magnetizing current. The induced magnetizing current circulating via closed current paths within the superconductive material to support the flux free of energy loss on termination of excitation of the magnetizing means. A force coil is shaped for insertion in and free movement within the gap between the inner and outer coils. The force coil is coupled to apply a force to a workpiece in response to application of a control current to the force coil in the presence of the flux field in the first and second gaps.

Claims9

Dependent claims

A superconducting electromagnet comprising:

an outer core having an aperture;
an inner core having a periphery characterized for complementary insertion into said outer core aperture leaving a uniform gap therebetween;
a frame means for coupling said outer and inner cores into a fixed position relation;
a magnetizing means for developing a flux field having a closed flux path passing through a inner core, said first gap, said outer core, across a second gap to said inner core in response to excitation of said magnetizing means;
said outer and inner cores being coated on all surfaces except opposing inner and outer core gap surfaces with superconductive material;
said superconductive material being applied to said outer and inner cores at regions selected to pass induced magnetizing current, said induced magnetizing current circulating via closed current paths within said superconductive material to support said flux substantially free of energy loss on termination of excitation of said magnetizing means;
and
a force coil for connection to a control current source, said force coil being shaped for insertion in and free movement within the gap between said opposing inner and outer core gap surfaces, said force coil being coupled to apply a force to a workpiece in response to application of a control current to said force coil in the presence of said flux field in said first and second gaps.

5 more elements

A superconducting electromagnet comprising:

an outer core having an aperture;
an inner core having a periphery characterized for complementary insertion into said outer core aperture leaving a uniform gap therebetween;
a frame means for coupling said outer and inner cores into a fixed position relation;
a magnetizing means for developing a flux field having a closed flux path, said flux being characterized to pass axially through said inner core, said inner core cross section being shaped to direct said flux from said inner core across a first gap to said outer core, said outer core being shaped to direct said flux through said outer core to a second gap to reenter said inner core to complete the flux path;
said outer and inner cores being coated with superconductive material, said superconductive material being rendered superconductive at temperatures below a critical temperature, said superconductive material being applied to said outer and inner cores at regions selected to pass induced magnetizing current, said induced magnetizing current circulating via closed current paths within said superconductive material to support said flux substantially free of energy loss on termination of excitation to said magnetizing means,
a force coil having first and second leads for connection to a control current source, said force coil being shaped for insertion in and free movement within the gaps between said inner and outer coils, said force coil being coupled to apply a force to a workpiece in response to application of a control current to said force coil in the presence of said flux field in said first and second gaps.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Superconductive electromagnet

Life of this patent

Superconductive electromagnet

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims9