Superconducting electromagnets comprising coils bonded to a support structure

Abstract

A superconducting electromagnet comprising coils of superconducting wire bonded to a support structure, and wherein heating elements are provided in thermal contact with the support structure for heating the support structure.

We claim: 
     
       1. A superconducting electromagnet, comprising:
 coils of superconducting wire bonded to a support structure comprising a number of support blocks positioned at circumferentially-spaced locations between adjacent coils; and 
 electrically resistive heating elements provided in thermal contact with the support blocks for heating the support blocks. 
 
     
     
       2. The superconducting electromagnet according to  claim 1  wherein the heating elements include closed loops of wire arranged to receive energy by electrical induction during a change in magnetic field strength produced by the electromagnet. 
     
     
       3. The superconducting electromagnet according to  claim 1  wherein the heating elements comprise electrical resistors mechanically mounted on the support structure and provided with electrical connections to thereby receive electrical energy when required to heat the support structure. 
     
     
       4. The superconducting electromagnet according to  claim 1  wherein the heating elements comprise coils of resistive wire mechanically mounted on or in the support structure and provided with electrical connections to thereby receive electrical energy when required to heat the support structure. 
     
     
       5. The superconducting electromagnet according to  claim 3  wherein the heating elements are connected to a quench protection circuit to thereby receive electrical energy in case of a quench of the electromagnet. 
     
     
       6. The superconducting electromagnet according to  claim 2  wherein the closed loops are arranged such that in case of a quench of the electromagnet a changing magnetic field of the electromagnet induces current in the closed loops thereby causing ohmic heating of the closed loops and so also of the support structure. 
     
     
       7. The superconducting electromagnet according to  claim 1  wherein the support structure is of an electrically non-conducting material. 
     
     
       8. The superconducting electromagnet according to  claim 1  wherein the support structure is of an electrically conducting material. 
     
     
       9. The superconducting electromagnet according to  claim 2  wherein the loops or coils of wire are each placed in a hole or cavity formed in the support structure, the hole or cavity being filled with a hardening material. 
     
     
       10. The superconducting electromagnet according to  claim 1  wherein a source of electrical power is made available to heat the support structure during a cool-down phase of operation of the superconducting electromagnet. 
     
     
       11. The superconducting electromagnet according to  claim 1  wherein the support structure comprises a support ring retaining one of the coils on a radially outer surface thereof, and at least one of the electrically resistive heating elements is arranged for heating the support ring. 
     
     
       12. A superconducting electromagnet, comprising:
 coils of superconducting wire bonded to a support structure comprising a former having annular cavities into which the coils are wound; and 
 electrically resistive heating elements in thermal contact with the former for heating the former. 
 
     
     
       13. The superconducting electromagnet according to  claim 12  wherein the heating elements include closed loops of wire arranged to receive energy by electrical induction during a change in magnetic field strength produced by the electromagnet. 
     
     
       14. The superconducting electromagnet according to  claim 12  wherein the heating elements comprise electrical resistors mechanically mounted on the support structure and provided with electrical connections to thereby receive electrical energy when required to heat the support structure. 
     
     
       15. The superconducting electromagnet according to  claim 12  wherein the heating elements comprise coils of resistive wire mechanically mounted on or in the support structure and provided with electrical connections to thereby receive electrical energy when required to heat the support structure. 
     
     
       16. The superconducting electromagnet according to  claim 14  wherein the heating elements are connected to a quench protection circuit to thereby receive electrical energy in case of a quench of the electromagnet. 
     
     
       17. The superconducting electromagnet according to  claim 13  wherein the closed loops are arranged such that in case of a quench of the electromagnet a changing magnetic field of the electromagnet induces current in the closed loops thereby causing ohmic heating of the closed loops and so also of the support structure. 
     
     
       18. The superconducting electromagnet according to  claim 12  wherein the support structure is of an electrically non-conducting material. 
     
     
       19. The superconducting electromagnet according to  claim 12  wherein the support structure is of an electrically conducting material. 
     
     
       20. The superconducting electromagnet according to  claim 13  wherein the loops or coils of wire are each placed in a hole or cavity formed in the support structure, the hole or cavity being filled with a hardening material. 
     
     
       21. The superconducting electromagnet according to  claim 12  wherein a source of electrical power is made available to heat the support structure during a cool-down phase of operation of the superconducting electromagnet. 
     
     
       22. The superconducting electromagnet according to  claim 12  wherein the support structure comprises a support ring retaining one of the coils on a radially outer surface thereof, and at least one of the electrically resistive heating elements is arranged for heating the support ring. 
     
     
       23. A superconducting electromagnet, comprising:
 coils of superconducting wire bonded on their radially outer surface to a support structure of essentially cylindrical shape; and 
 heating elements in thermal contact with the essentially cylindrical support structure. 
 
     
     
       24. The superconducting electromagnet according to  claim 23  wherein the heating elements include closed loops of wire arranged to receive energy by electrical induction during a change in magnetic field strength produced by the electromagnet. 
     
     
       25. The superconducting electromagnet according to  claim 23  wherein the heating elements comprise electrical resistors mechanically mounted on the support structure and provided with electrical connections to thereby receive electrical energy when required to heat the support structure. 
     
     
       26. The superconducting electromagnet according to  claim 23  wherein the heating elements comprise coils of resistive wire mechanically mounted on or in the support structure and provided with electrical connections to thereby receive electrical energy when required to heat the support structure. 
     
     
       27. The superconducting electromagnet according to  claim 25  wherein the heating elements are connected to a quench protection circuit to thereby receive electrical energy in case of a quench of the electromagnet. 
     
     
       28. The superconducting electromagnet according to  claim 24  wherein the closed loops are arranged such that in case of a quench of the electromagnet a changing magnetic field of the electromagnet induces current in the closed loops thereby causing ohmic heating of the closed loops and so also of the support structure. 
     
     
       29. The superconducting electromagnet according to  claim 23  wherein the support structure is of an electrically non-conducting material. 
     
     
       30. The superconducting electromagnet according to  claim 23  wherein the support structure is of an electrically conducting material. 
     
     
       31. The superconducting electromagnet according to  claim 24  wherein the loops or coils of wire are each placed in a hole or cavity formed in the support structure, the hole or cavity being filled with a hardening material. 
     
     
       32. The superconducting electromagnet according to  claim 23  wherein a source of electrical power is made available to heat the support structure during a cool-down phase of operation of the superconducting electromagnet. 
     
     
       33. The superconducting electromagnet according to  claim 23  wherein the support structure comprises a support ring retaining one of the coils on a radially outer surface thereof, and at least one of the electrically resistive heating elements is arranged for heating the support ring. 
     
     
       34. A superconducting electromagnet, comprising:
 coils of superconducting wire bonded to a support structure comprising an annular support element positioned between adjacent coils; and   at least one electrically resistive heating element provided in thermal contact with the annular support element for heating the support element.   
     
     
       35. The superconducting electromagnet according to claim 34 wherein the heating element comprises closed loops of wire arranged to receive energy by electrical induction during a change in magnetic field strength produced by the electromagnet. 
     
     
       36. The superconducting electromagnet according to claim 34 wherein the heating element comprises an electrical resistor mechanically mounted on the support structure and provided with electrical connections to thereby receive electrical energy when required to heat the support structure. 
     
     
       37. The superconducting electromagnet according to claim 34 wherein the heating element comprises a coil of resistive wire mechanically mounted on or in the support structure and provided with electrical connections to thereby receive electrical energy when required to heat the support structure. 
     
     
       38. The superconducting electromagnet according to claim 36 wherein the heating element is connected to a quench protection circuit to thereby receive electrical energy in case of a quench of the electromagnet. 
     
     
       39. The superconducting electromagnet according to claim 35 wherein the closed loops are arranged such that in case of a quench of the electromagnet a changing magnetic field of the electromagnet induces current in the closed loops thereby causing ohmic heating of the closed loops and so also of the support structure. 
     
     
       40. The superconducting electromagnet according to claim 34 wherein the support structure is of an electrically non-conducting material. 
     
     
       41. The superconducting electromagnet according to claim 34 wherein the support structure is of an electrically conducting material. 
     
     
       42. The superconducting electromagnet according to claim 35 wherein the loops of wire are each placed in a hole or cavity formed in the support structure, the hole or cavity being filled with a hardening material. 
     
     
       43. The superconducting electromagnet according to claim 34 wherein a source of electrical power is made available to heat the support structure during a cool-down phase of operation of the superconducting electromagnet. 
     
     
       44. The superconducting electromagnet according to claim 34 wherein the support structure comprises a plurality of said annular support elements with a respective one of said support elements being positioned between respective adjacent coils. 
     
     
       45. A superconducting electromagnet, comprising:
 coils of superconducting wire bonded to a support structure; and   an electrically resistive heating element in thermal contact with the support structure.   
     
     
       46. A superconducting electromagnet, comprising:
 a plurality of annular coils of superconducting wire which are arranged in an axial direction, each of said annular coils having spaced apart axial surfaces;   an annular support element positioned between and bonded to the adjacent axial surfaces of adjacent ones of said annular coils of superconducting wire for supporting said annular coils; and   a plurality of said annular support elements being provided with a respective one of each of said support elements being positioned between respective coils.   
     
     
       47. The superconducting electromagnet according to claim 46 wherein the annular support elements each comprise a plurality of support blocks arranged apart from one another in a circumferential direction between the adjacent annular coils. 
     
     
       48. A superconducting magnet, comprising:
 a plurality of annular coils of superconducting wire which are arranged in an axial direction, each of said annular coils having spaced apart axial surfaces;   an annular support element positioned between and bonded to the adjacent axial surfaces of adjacent ones of said annular coils of superconducting wire for supporting said annular coils; and   the annular coils being bonded to the annular support element only by said axial surfaces.   
     
     
       49. A superconducting electromagnet according to claim 48 wherein the annular support element comprises a plurality of support blocks arranged apart from one another in a circumferential direction between the adjacent annular coils.