阅读说明：本技术 超导磁体组件 (Superconducting magnet assembly ) 是由 J·A·奥弗韦格 于 2018-10-29 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种超导磁体装置包括：磁场线圈组件,其具有线圈绕组,所述线圈绕组在工作时是电超导的,所述磁场线圈组件在连接端口之间电路连接以用于电压供应；以及切换模块,其将所述磁场线圈组件的线圈绕组的子段在其电超导状态和电阻状态之间切换,所述子段形成在所述连接端口之间电路连接的切换线圈。在切换线圈和(一个或多个)磁场线圈都超导的并承载恒定电流的工作状态下,(一个或多个)磁场线圈和切换线圈共同生成稳定磁场。根据本发明,开关绕组对磁场有显著贡献。磁场线圈组件的线圈绕组可以在其电超导状态和电阻状态之间切换,从而形成切换线圈。也就是说,切换线圈形成磁场线圈组件的部分并对由磁场线圈组件生成的磁场有显著贡献。(A superconducting magnet apparatus comprising: a magnetic field coil assembly having coil windings that are electrically superconducting in operation, the magnetic field coil assembly being electrically connected between connection ports for voltage supply; and a switching module that switches subsections of coil windings of the magnetic field coil assembly between their electrically superconducting and resistive states, the subsections forming a switching coil that is electrically connected between the connection ports. In an operating state in which both the switching coil and the field coil(s) are superconducting and carry a constant current, the field coil(s) and the switching coil together generate a steady magnetic field. According to the invention, the switching winding contributes significantly to the magnetic field. The coil windings of the field coil assembly may be switched between their electrically superconducting and resistive states, thereby forming a switching coil. That is, the switching coil forms part of the magnetic field coil assembly and contributes significantly to the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field coil assembly.)

1. A superconducting magnet apparatus comprising:

a field coil assembly having coil windings, the coil windings being electrically superconducting in operation,

the magnetic field coil assembly is electrically connected between connection ports for voltage supply; and

a switching module for switching subsections of coil windings of the magnetic field coil assembly between their electrically superconducting and resistive states, the subsections forming a switching coil in circuit connection between the connection ports.

2. A superconducting magnet arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the inductance of the switching coil is less than the inductance of the magnetic field coil assembly.

3. A superconducting magnet arrangement according to any preceding claim comprising a support structure carrying the magnetic field coil assembly, wherein thermal isolation is provided between the switching coil and the support structure.

4. A superconducting magnet arrangement according to any preceding claim wherein the switching coil is electrically connected in series with the magnetic field coil assembly when in its superconducting state.

5. A superconducting magnet arrangement according to any preceding claim wherein the magnetic field coil assembly comprises a plurality of magnetic field coils arranged coaxially transverse to windings of the magnetic field coils.

6. A superconducting magnet arrangement according to claim 2 wherein the ratio of the inductance of the switching coil to the inductance of the magnetic field coil assembly is in the range 1/20 to 1/2, preferably in the range 0.08 to 0.12.

7. A superconducting magnet arrangement according to any preceding claim wherein the field coils of the field coil assembly and the switching coil comprise windings of high temperature superconducting material having a critical temperature in the range 20K-80K.

8. A superconducting magnet arrangement according to claim 7 wherein the high temperature superconducting material is MgB₂。

9. A superconducting magnet apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the switching coil comprises a superconducting wire having a length in the range 1600-2400 m.

10. A method of ramping up a magnetic field coil assembly of a superconducting magnet according to any of claims 1 to 9, the method comprising the steps of:

setting the switching coil to its resistive state and connecting a voltage source to the connection port;

setting the switching coil to its superconducting state when the current through the magnetic field coil reaches its preset final value; and is

The voltage source is turned off.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a superconducting magnet arrangement comprising a field coil assembly having coil windings which are electrically superconducting when in operation and which operate in a persistent mode. In particular, the present invention relates to superconducting magnets for magnetic resonance examination systems.

Background

Wilson explains the persistent mode operation of superconducting magnets in section 11.2 of his work superconducting magnet (Oxford university Press, 1983, ISBN 0-19-854805-2).

Persistent mode operation of the superconducting magnet is achieved by connecting a superconducting switch in series with a superconducting magnetic field generating coil. The switch includes a length of superconducting wire wound around a support structure that does not affect the magnetic field of the magnet. In persistent operation, the superconducting magnet carries the full magnet current. Heating the switch to a temperature above the superconducting transition temperature causes the switch to become a resistive switch. The current in the magnetic field generating coil can then be varied using a power supply connected in parallel with the switch.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a superconducting magnet that is less expensive to manufacture.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a superconducting magnet arrangement comprising:

a field coil assembly having coil windings, the coil windings being electrically superconducting in operation,

the magnetic field coil assembly is electrically connected between connection ports for voltage supply; and

a switching module for switching subsections of coil windings of the magnetic field coil assembly between their electrically superconducting and resistive states, the subsections forming a switching coil in circuit connection between the connection ports.

The operation of the magnet assembly of the present invention is similar to the permanent mode operation described by Wilson, except that: the function of the superconducting switch is performed by the magnetic field generating coil segments or coil windings that can be heated. The main difference from the work of the prior art lies in the fact that: the prior art superconducting switch does not generate any significant magnetic field nor any significant inductance, while the switching coil does affect the magnetic field of the magnet and does have significant inductance. The sub-segments of the coil winding of the magnetic field coil assembly may be switched between their electrically superconducting and resistive states, thereby forming a switching coil.

The magnetic field of the magnet arrangement of the present invention can be ramped up by setting the switching coil to its resistive state and connecting a power supply across the switching coil. An optionally detachable power supply may be connected to the connection port to apply a voltage across the switching coil(s). The power supply may be arranged to supply current at a positive or negative voltage across the connection port.

Applying a voltage across the connection port causes a current in the superconducting portion of the magnetic circuit to increase at a rate proportional to the voltage. The warm (i.e., resistive) switching coil does not carry a significant amount of current. When the current through the magnetic field coil(s) reaches its preset final value, the voltage across the connection port is set to zero, the switching coil is set to its superconducting state, and the current supplied by the power supply ramps down to zero. When the switching coil is in its superconducting state, it forms with the other magnetic-field-generating coils a fully superconducting closed loop in which a persistent current can circulate. As the current from the power supply decreases to zero, the current in the switching coil increases until a final state is reached, in which all coils (i.e. the field coils of the switching coil including the magnet) carry the same current. In this final state, the circulating current in the magnetic circuit will generally be lower than when the switching coil is made superconducting. In order to obtain the desired final current, the maximum current at the end of the ramp must be set higher. The power supply can be thermally and electrically disconnected after the current from the power supply is reduced to zero. A relay switch can be used to disconnect the power leads. In an operating state in which both the switching coil and the field coil(s) are superconducting and carry a constant current, the field coil(s) and the switching coil together generate a steady magnetic field. According to the invention, these switching windings have a significant influence on the magnetic field. In other words, according to the present invention, the coil winding of the field coil assembly can be switched between its electrically superconducting and resistive states, thereby forming a switching coil. Alternatively, the switching coil forms part of the magnetic field coil assembly and has a significant effect on the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field coil assembly.

The switching coil may be an assembly of several switching coils connected in series. This concept is most effective if approximately 5-10% of the magnet wire forms the switching coil(s). The length can be one or more complete coil segments of the MRI magnet. Alternatively, the length can also be only a fraction of a single full winding section. It is preferred to have the configuration of the switched coil(s) and the non-switched coil in the magnet system mirror symmetric with respect to the mid-plane with z-0, as this allows the use of existing quench detection and protection methods.

As described by Wilson, the process of bringing the magnet into a magnetic field and placing the magnet in a permanent mode is the same as ramping up a conventional permanent mode magnet, except that the magnet current changes during the ramp down of the external power supply.

Preferably, the switching coil(s) and the magnetic field coil(s) are geometrically arranged and have a corresponding number of windings such that the stabilizing magnetic field is spatially uniform. This makes the superconducting magnet system suitable for use in a magnetic resonance examination system.

The switching module for switching the switching coil (assembly) between its resistive and superconducting states can be implemented as a switchable heater to regulate the temperature of the windings of the switching coil(s) between a value above its superconducting critical temperature and a value below its superconducting critical temperature. Alternatively, a local radio frequency electromagnetic field may be applied to the switching coil(s) to change the switching coil(s) from its superconducting state to its resistive state. In addition to activating the heater, it would be advantageous to inhibit active cooling of the coil segment(s) to be switched to prevent overloading of the cooling system of the magnet. The switching coil(s) may be sufficiently thermally isolated from the other coils so as to be able to render them non-superconducting without risking the quenching of the other magnetic field coil(s). Therefore, the concept is most suitable for use in magnets where the superconducting coils are located in a vacuum space and cooled by a refrigeration system.

The invention enables ramping up and down a superconducting magnet arrangement without the need for a separate persistent current switch. Therefore, no steps need to be taken to avoid any magnetic field of the persistent current switch from disturbing the stabilizing magnetic field. Rather, the present invention enables the switching coil(s) to increase the field strength and homogeneity of the steady magnetic field and/or to help actively shield the environment from stray magnetic fields of the magnet. That is, the switching coil(s) and the magnetic field coil(s) work together to generate a steady magnetic field. The main advantages of using a magnetic field generating coil as a switching element are: the high resistance state resistance of the switching element can be realized at a relatively low cost. The dissipation during ramping is equal to the square of the ramped voltage divided by the open resistance; for example, to limit this dissipation to below 1W, the resistance is about 100 Ω for typical ramping voltages up to 10V. The open resistance of the switching coil is directly proportional to the length of the wire in the switch. Conventional persistent current switches, which are formed as separate circuit elements that do not generate a magnetic field, would require longer switch wire lengths, which would only increase costs. Another advantage of using coil wire to implement the switching function is: higher normal resistance can be obtained without using special switch wires with high resistivity matrix. The switching coil(s) can be wound with standard pure copper stable conductors, thereby improving the stability of the magnet in normal operation and reducing the risk of spontaneous quench.

The ramp-up procedure may be run in reverse order to ramp the magnet down. After the external power supply is connected, its current must ramp up to reduce the current in the switching coil(s) to a value close to zero. The switching coil(s) is then made non-superconducting, after which the external current is slowly reduced to zero. This requires a voltage across the connection ports (terminals) of the magnet that opposes the flow of current. This negative voltage can be obtained by connecting a dissipative element (resistor, diode) in series with the power supply or by bypassing the power supply with a diode and then interrupting the current through the power supply. Many embodiments of such a two-quadrant power supply are known per se, and any such power supply used on conventional MRI magnets would be suitable for use with the magnet assembly of the present invention that utilizes a switch-based concept of switching coil(s).

If the external power supply cannot be switched on to reduce the current in the switching coil(s) to zero (e.g. in case of a failure of the (primary) power supply), an energy-shifting resistor or diode may be connected and the heater in the switching coil(s) (with the backup power supply supplied by the battery) activated. This would quench the switching coil, but if the internal energy of the switching coil is small enough that this event does not cause the remaining coil segments to quench completely, the system magnet will automatically enter its discharged state and the current will decrease to zero.

These and other aspects of the invention will be further elaborated with reference to the embodiments defined in the dependent claims.

In a preferred embodiment of the superconducting magnet arrangement of the present invention, the self-inductance of the switching coil(s) is much smaller than the inductance of the magnetic field coil assembly(s). Preferably, the ratio of the inductance of the switching coil(s) to the inductance of the field coil assembly is in the range 1/20 to 1/2, preferably in the range (0.08 to 0.12), and very good results are obtained at a ratio of 1/10. This enables a redistribution of the limiting current at the end of the ramp and ensures that a relatively small current overshoot is required for the solenoid.

Preferably, the ohmic resistance of the switching coil(s) in its resistive state is higher than a minimum of about 10 Ω, which results in low losses during ramp up or ramp down. To illustrate in more detail, if the magnet inclination changes, a voltage of, for example, 10V is present across the connection port. The current in the magnetic field coil(s) is approximately proportional to the applied voltage and inversely proportional to the self-inductance of the magnetic field coil. Thus, the higher the voltage, the faster the ramp will be. The applied voltage may also cause some current to pass through the non-superconducting switching coil(s). This current is proportional to the applied voltage and inversely proportional to the normal state resistance of the switching coil(s). Due to this current, the dissipation in the switching coil(s) is squared by the applied voltage and inversely proportional to its normal state resistance. Thus, low dissipation of the switching coil(s) requires a normal state resistance of roughly between 10 and 100 ohms (otherwise, the ramp voltage must be very low for me, which may result in many hours of ramp time).

The magnetic field coil(s) is mounted on or held in place by a support structure, which may also carry the switching coil(s). The switching coil(s) can be one or more individual coil segments of a multi-segment MRI magnet. They can be part of an internal coil set that generates an internal magnetic field, can be part of a shield coil set that actively cancels the stray magnetic field of the magnet, or both. The windings of the switching coil(s) may also be in close proximity to other magnetic field generating windings. For example, the outermost winding layer of one or more coil segments can be used as a switching coil. According to one aspect of the invention, thermal isolation is provided between the switching coil(s) and other magnetic field coils of the MRI magnet, thereby maintaining superconductivity. This achieves the following: when the switching coil(s) is heated to raise its temperature above its superconducting critical temperature, no or only a small amount of heat is transferred to the magnetic field coil(s), thereby eliminating the need for the magnetic field coil(s) to have a higher cooling capacity to keep the magnetic field coil(s) superconducting. In the case of cooling the coil by means of circulating fluid helium (liquid or helium), it may be advantageous to reduce or interrupt the flow of helium to the switching coil when the coil needs to be in its resistive state. Thus, during ramping of the magnet, energy deposition in the cooling system of the magnet may be minimized.

In another aspect of the invention, the magnetic field coil(s) and the switching coil(s) are geometrically coaxially aligned along a common longitudinal axis, with the winding of the magnetic field coil(s) and the switching coil(s) surrounding the longitudinal axis in azimuth. The magnetic field coil(s) and the switching coil(s) may lie in radially (transverse to the longitudinal axis) parallel planes of extension. Each of the magnetic field coil(s) and switching coil(s) may have different or equal radial dimensions and winding numbers depending on the magnetic field strength and spatial distribution of the stabilizing magnetic field. In general, the coil winding techniques used for standard magnetic field generating coils can also be used for the switching coil(s).

In another aspect of the invention, the field coils and the switching coil(s) of the field coil assembly comprise windings of high temperature superconducting material having a critical temperature in the range of 20K-80K. This allows the superconducting magnet assembly to have a higher operating temperature. At higher temperatures, the cooling mechanism will more effectively maintain the temperature of the magnetic field coil(s) and switching coil(s) below the superconducting critical temperature. A suitable high temperature material is MgB₂，MgB₂The superconducting critical temperature of (1) is 39K (zero magnetic field). Such high temperature superconductors tend to be much more expensive than conventional niobium-titanium conductors; it may therefore be particularly attractive to eliminate the need for superconducting wires in conventional switches that do not affect the generation of magnetic fields.

In further aspects of the invention, the switching coil may comprise MgB having a length in the range of 1600-2400 m₂A superconducting wire. The wire may be produced by a Powder In Tube (PIT) ex-situ process and an in-situ process. According to the invention, the amount of material contributes to the stabilization of the magnetic field during operation.

These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a circuit diagram of an example of a superconducting magnet assembly of the present invention, wherein a power supply is coupled to the superconducting magnet assembly;

fig. 2a and 2b are graphical representations of electrical quantity dynamics during ramp-up and ramp-down procedures, respectively, of a superconducting magnet assembly of the present invention.

Detailed Description

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of an example of a superconducting magnet assembly 100 of the present invention to which a power supply is coupled for simplicity, the field coil windings 101 of the self-inductance L1 are shown as a single unit, but are actually arranged as an assembly of several field coils, the switching coils 102 of the self-inductance L2 are shown as a single unit, but in reality the switching coils may be arranged as an assembly of one or more switching coils, the switching coils 102 and field coils together form a superconducting loop that is closed on itself.

The power supply is connected across the switching coil by means of an electrically and thermally detachable conductor 103, which electrically and thermally detachable conductor 103 may be a remotely operated relay. The field coil 101 and the switching coil 102 may be cooled to superconducting temperatures by a cryogenic system (not shown). It would be advantageous to provide a means of increasing the thermal resistance of the switching coil and/or reducing the cooling power consumption of the switching coil during the time that the switching coil must be in a resistive state. A controllable power supply 105 is connected to the current conductor 103. The diode or diode stack 104 may be electrically connected in parallel with the power supply 105, allowing current from the magnet to circulate even if the power supply is in its off state.

The invention is used according to the following scheme. To achieve that the superconducting magnet assembly generates a specified magnetic field, the switch is closed, the magnetic field coil 101 is cooled, so that the magnetic field coil 101 is superconducting and the switching coil 102 is arranged in its resistive state. For this purpose, an adjustable heater 106 is provided to dissipate heat into the switching coil, thereby raising the temperature of the switching coil above the superconducting critical temperature. Optionally, reducing or interrupting pair switchingAnd (6) cooling the coil. Power supply generating DC voltage V₀This causes an increase in the current through the superconducting magnetic field coil 101. The current is continuously increased until a predetermined value I is reached after a certain time_{Is provided with}At the preset value I_{Is provided with}At this point, the supply voltage is reduced to zero. During the ramp, the voltage across the resistive switching coil causes a current V₀/R_{Switch with a switch body}Through the coil, thereby causing a dissipation V₀ ²/R_{Switch with a switch body}After the current set point is reached, the switching coil is made superconducting (e.g., by turning off heater 106 and effecting cooling of the switching coil). the latency time required to superconduct the switching coil is equal to the energy dissipated in the switching coil during ramping (which is equal to (L)₁.I_{Is provided with})²/t_{Slope change}.R_{Switch with a switch body}) The ratio of the cooling capacity of the refrigeration system to the switching coil. Note that neither the mass nor the volume of the switching coil affects the required waiting time. The use of a relatively large coil as a switch is advantageous, since this results in a large resistance R_{Switch with a switch body}. After the switching coil reaches its superconducting state, the current from the power supply is reduced to zero. This causes an increase in the current in the switching coil 102. At the same time, the current in the field coil 101 decreases. In the final state, the currents in all coils 101 and 102 become equal and no more current flows to the power supply. The power supply can then be safely disconnected. The field coil and the switching coil carry equal currents in series and both affect the magnetic field of the superconducting magnet.

The inductance L of the magnetic field coil 101 can be used₁L, the inductance of the switching coil 102₂And mutual inductance M between the two coils₁₂The final current I is easily calculated₀Appropriate value of current set point at the end of required ramp up I_{Is provided with}. Once the switching coil reaches its superconducting state, the total magnetic flux in the superconducting magnet circuit 101-. At the end of the rampWhere the captured magnetic flux is equal to L₁.I_{Is provided with}And in the final state, the captured magnetic flux is equal to L_{General assembly}.I₀Here, L_{General assembly}Is the total inductance of the superconducting loop, which is equal to L₁+L₂+2M₁₂. Therefore, the current set point must be I_{Is provided with}＝I₀.(L_{General assembly}/L₁) Since inductance is well known, the required current overshoot can be accurately predicted, whether by simulation or measurement₂And M₁₂Ratio L₁Much smaller, the magnitude of the required current overshoot is limited.

To ramp the magnet down, the current lead switch 103 is closed, the power is turned on and its current is raised, so that the current in the switching coil 102 is reduced to a small value. The heater 106 is then switched on to raise the temperature of the switching coil above its superconducting critical temperature. The field coil 101 maintains a superconducting state. Then, applying a negative voltage across the field coil 101 reduces the current to zero.

FIG. 2a is a graphical representation of electrical quantity dynamics during a ramp-up procedure of a typical example of a superconducting magnet assembly of the present invention, wherein a field coil inductance L₁20H, switched coil inductance L₂2H, mutual inductance M₁₂0.1H. When the ramp-up is started when t is 0, heater 106 is turned on, and switching coil 102 is therefore in a resistance state. The dashed line represents the voltage supplied by the power supply 105. After the initial transition, the voltage is maintained at a constant value V₀. The plotted curve shows the current through the field coil 101. Current in V with time₀/L₁Increases approximately linearly. At a point in time t₁When passing L₁Reaches its set point I_setAnd the supply voltage is set to zero. Then, while the current through the magnetic field coil 101 is kept at its constant level I_{Is provided with}When it is time to turn off the heater switching the coil and reactivate the normal cooling of the coil. The system must remain in this state until the switching coil is superconducting. After sufficient latency to allow the switching coil to become fully superconductingThe current from the power supply will ramp to zero. This causes the current in the switching coil 102 to increase and the current in the field coil 101 to decrease until the two currents become equal and the current to the power supply becomes zero. During the redistribution of the current, a negative induced voltage is generated, which is associated with a reduction of energy in the field coil and the switching coil due to the redistribution of the current.

Fig. 2b is a graphical representation of the charge dynamics during a controlled ramp down of a typical magnet according to the present invention. First, a positive voltage is applied to the magnet, which causes the current in the switching coil 102 to decrease. At the same time, the current in the field coil 101 increases. When the current from the power supply reaches the value I previously used during ramp up_{Is provided with}The current in the switching coil becomes zero. At this time, the heater of the switching coil can be turned on, and optionally, cooling of the switching coil can be reduced or deactivated. Applying a negative voltage across the switching coil causes the current in the field coil to decrease to zero.