Superconducting quick switch
AssigneeQuantum Design, Inc.
InventorsJost Diederichs, Andreas Amann, Michael B. Simmonds
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A magnet system for generating a magnetic field may include a superconducting magnet, a switch, and a heater element thermally coupled to the switch. The superconducting magnet is structured to generate magnetic fields, and the switch includes a non-inductive superconducting current carrying path connected in parallel to the superconducting magnet. In general, the switch is structured to only carry a level of current that is a portion of the current required to obtain a full field by the superconducting magnet.
Claims23
A magnet system for generating a magnetic field, said system comprising:
- a superconducting magnet structured to generate magnetic fields and having a predetermined full field current rating;
- a non-reversing current flow non-persistent switch comprising a non-inductive superconducting current carrying path connected in parallel to said superconducting magnet, said switch configured to only carry a level of current that is less than 100% of the current required to obtain a full field by said superconducting magnet, said non-reversing switch being configured to be connected to a current supply and to supply current continuously to said superconducting magnet during generation of said magnetic fields, wherein the current supply is not removed from the magnet after the switch transitions back to the full field status;
- and
- a heater element thermally coupled to said switch, said heater element being configured, in combination with said switch, to vary the current level applied to said superconducting magnet.
A magnet system for generating a magnetic field, said system comprising:
- a superconducting magnet structured to generate magnetic fields;
- means for maintaining electrical current supplied to said superconducting magnet during generation of said magnetic fields, wherein the current supply is not removed from the magnet after the switch transitions back to a full field status;
- a non-persistent switch connected in parallel to said superconducting magnet, said switch structured to only carry a level of current that is less than 100% of current required to obtain the full magnetic field by said superconducting magnet;
- means for selectively causing said non-persistent switch to transition between a superconducting mode and a non-superconducting mode;
- and
- means for changing said electrical current to generate a desired magnetic field.
A method for generating magnetic fields, said method comprising:
- maintaining during the generation of magnetic fields, electrical current supplied to a superconducting magnet structured to generate magnetic fields, wherein the current supply is not removed from the magnet after the switch transitions back to a full field status;
- and
- changing said magnetic fields by:
- (a) heating a non-persistent switch connected in parallel to said superconducting magnet to a critical temperature, said heating causing said non-persistent switch to transition to a non-superconducting mode, said switch structured to only carry a level of current that is less than 100% of the current required to obtain the full magnetic field by said superconducting magnet;
- (b) changing said electrical current to generate a desired magnetic field;
- and
- (c) allowing said switch to cool below said critical temperature, causing said switch to transition to a superconducting mode.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.