Superconducting quick switch
AssigneeQuantum Design International, 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.
Claims39
A magnet system for generating a magnetic field, said system comprising:
- a superconducting magnet structured to generate magnetic fields;
- a switch comprising a non-inductive superconducting current carrying path connected in parallel to said superconducting magnet, said switch structured to only carry a level of current that is a portion of current required to obtain a full field by said superconducting magnet;
- and
- a heater element thermally coupled to said switch.
A switch for use with a superconducting magnet, said switch comprising:
- a non-inductive superconductive current carrying path for connecting in parallel to said superconducting magnet, said switch structured to only carry a level of current that is a portion of current required to obtain a full field by said superconducting magnet, wherein said switch is a non-persistent switch;
- and
- a heater element thermally coupled to said switch.
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;
- a non-persistent switch connected in parallel to said superconducting magnet, said switch structured to only carry a level of current that is a portion of current required to obtain a 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 the magnetic fields;
- 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 a portion of current required to obtain a 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.
A magnet system for generating a magnetic field, said system comprising:
- a superconducting magnet structured to generate magnetic fields;
- means for supplying current to said magnet;
- a non-persistent switch comprising a non-inductive superconducting current carrying path connected in parallel between said current supply means and said superconducting magnet, said switch structured to only carry a level of current that is a portion of current required to obtain a full field by said superconducting magnet;
- and
- a heater element thermally coupled to said switch.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.