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At least 91 records · Page 5

Switching Circuit for Shop Vacuum System

No internal connections to machine tools required. Switching circuit controls vacuum system draws debris from grinders and sanders in machine shop. Circuit automatically turns on vacuum system whenever at least one sander or grinder operating. Debris safely removed, even when operator neglects to turn on vacuum system manually. Pickup coils sense alternating magnetic fields just outside operating machines. Signal from any coil or combination of coils causes vacuum system to be turned on.

Burley, R. K.

Design of a Microwave Assisted Discharge Inductive Plasma Accelerator

The design and construction of a thruster that employs electrodeless plasma preionization and pulsed inductive acceleration is described. Preionization is achieved through an electron cyclotron resonance discharge that produces a weakly-ionized plasma at the face of a conical theta pinch-shaped inductive coil. The presence of the preionized plasma allows for current sheet formation at lower discharge voltages than those employed in other pulsed inductive accelerators that do not employ preionization. The location of the electron cyclotron resonance discharge is controlled through the design of the applied magnetic field in the thruster. Finite element analysis shows that there is an arrangement of permanent magnets that yields a small volume of resonant magnetic field at the coil face. Preionization in the resonant zone leads to current sheet formation at the coil face, which minimizes the initial inductance of the pulse circuit and maximizes the potential electrical efficiency of the accelerator. A magnet assembly was constructed around an inductive coil to provide structural support to the selected arrangement of neodymium magnets. Measured values of the resulting magnetic field compare favorably with the finite element model.

Hallock, Ashley K.

Satellite Attitude Control Utilizing the Earth's Magnetic Field

A study was conducted to determine the feasibility of a satellite attitude fine-control system using the interaction of the earth's magnetic field with current-carrying coils to produce torque. The approximate intensity of the earth's magnetic field was determined as a function of the satellite coordinates. Components of the magnetic field were found to vary essentially sinusoidally at approximately twice orbital frequency. Amplitude and distortion of the sinusoidal components were a function of satellite orbit. Two systems for two-axis attitude control evolved from this study, one using three coils and the other using two coils. The torques developed by the two systems differ only when the component of magnetic field along the tracking line is zero. For this case the two-coil system develops no torque whereas the three-coil system develops some effective torque which allows partial control. The equations which describe the three-coil system are complex in comparison to those of the two-coil system and require the measurement of all three components of the magnetic field as compared with only one for the two-coil case. Intermittent three-axis torquing can also be achieved. This torquing can be used for coarse attitude control, or for dumping the stored momentum of inertia reaction wheels. Such a system has the advantage of requiring no fuel aboard the satellite. For any of these magnetic torquing schemes the power required to produce the magnetic moment and the weight of the coil seem reasonable.

White, John S.

Makeup and uses of a basic magnet laboratory for characterizing high-temperature permanent magnets

A set of instrumentation for making basic magnetic measurements was assembled in order to characterize high intrinsic coercivity, rare earth permanent magnets with respect to short term demagnetization resistance and long term aging at temperatures up to 300 C. The major specialized components of this set consist of a 13 T peak field, capacitor discharge pulse magnetizer; a 10 in. pole size, variable gap electromagnet; a temperature controlled oven equipped with iron cobalt pole piece extensions and a removable paddle that carries the magnetization and field sensing coils; associated electronic integrators; and sensor standards for field intensity H and magnetic moment M calibration. A 1 cm cubic magnet sample, carried by the paddle, fits snugly between the pole piece extensions within the electrically heated aluminum oven, where fields up to 3.2 T can be applied by the electromagnet at temperatures up to 300 C. A sample set of demagnetization data for the high energy Sm2Co17 type of magnet is given for temperatures up to 300 C. These data are reduced to the temperature dependence of the M-H knee field and of the field for a given magnetic induction swing, and they are interpreted to show the limits of safe operation.

Niedra, Janis M.

Broadband Active Antenna

Effective area of search coil increased. Input impedance presented by operational amplifier and associated components nearly balances out impedance of search coil. Fluctuations in ambient magnetic field induce large currents in search coil.

Sutton, John F.

The role of superconductivity in magnetic bearings for high-load applications

Slewing of large payloads will require control torque and angular momentum storage capacities that are large in comparison to the capabilities of available control moment gyros (CMG's). SatCon Technology Corporation is currently designing a CMG which may be employed as a slew actuator for large spacecraft or other payloads. The slew actuator employs a type of magnetic bearing which may be used in high load applications. The magnetic bearing is also used to fully gimbal the suspended rotor of the slew actuator. The use of magnetic bearings in angular momentum exchange actuators has the primary advantage that physical contact between the rotor and stator is eliminated. This leads to greatly extended life, increased reliability, and reduced vibrations. Several actuators operating on magnetic bearings have been demonstrated in previous research efforts. These were sized for use in small satellites. For conventional magnetic bearings, which employ magnetic cores, high torsional loading may require that the magnetic structure be excessively massive. An alternative magnetic bearing design which employs a superconducting coil and eliminates conventional magnetic structures is discussed. The baseline approach is to replace the field coil of a conventional magnetic bearing with the superconducting coil.

Downer, James

Mechanical Design of the PIP-II ORBUMP Pulsed Dipole Magnet

The Proton Improvement Plan-II (PIP-II) is a vital upgrade to Fermilab's accelerator complex. The upgrade is designed to power the world s most intense high-energy neutrino beam in future experiments. The magnet pulse repetition rate of the PIP-II injection system is being upgraded from 15 Hz to 20 Hz and requires a roughly 30% increase in the magnetic field of the new Orbital Bump (ORBUMP) magnets in the Booster. The magnet is secured in a vacuum box and the core is made up of 0.127 mm thick, low carbon steel laminations with a C-5 inorganic coating. The core is clamped using external tie bars welded to the core end plates. ANSYS Finite Element Analysis (FEA) was used to evaluate the clamping design to minimize the deflection of the core post welding of the tie bars. The water-cooled single turn coil is electrically isolated from the core using virgin PEEK insulating material in the gap. An investigation into the high voltage performance of the virgin PEEK insulator was conducted. The design of the coil which shapes the magnetic field by acting as the pole tips is critical for the integrated field homogeneity. The coil manufacturing tolerances and fabrication techniques were evaluated to ensure the magnetic properties of the magnet could be obtained. The ORBUMP magnet mechanical design is presented in this paper.

Karas, Dino [Fermilab] (ORCID:0000000304340670)

Mechanical Design of the PIP-II ORBUMP Pulsed Dipole Magnet

The Proton Improvement Plan II (PIP-II) project is a vital upgrade to the Fermilab accelerator complex. The magnet pulse rate of the PIP-II Injection system requires an increase from the current rate of 15 Hz to 20 Hz as well as a roughly 30% increase in the magnetic field of the new Orbital Bump (ORBUMP) pulsed dipole magnets in the Booster. Here, the ORBUMP magnet mechanical design is presented in this paper. The ORBUMP magnet is secured in a vacuum box and the core is made up of 0.127 mm thick, low carbon steel laminations with a C-5 inorganic magnesium phosphate coating. The core is clamped using external tie bars welded to the core end plates. ANSYS Finite Element Analysis (FEA) was used to evaluate the clamping design to minimize the deflection of the core post welding of the tie bars. The water-cooled, single turn coil, which shapes the magnetic field by acting as the pole tips, is critical for the integrated field homogeneity. The coil manufacturing tolerances and fabrication techniques were evaluated to ensure the magnetic properties of the magnet could be obtained. The coil is electrically isolated from the core using virgin Polyether ether ketone (PEEK) insulating material in the gap. An investigation into the high voltage performance of the virgin PEEK insulator was conducted via partial discharge testing using a 1:1 scale sample.

Karas, D. [Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (

Magnet Architectures and Active Radiation Shielding Study (MAARSS)

This report describes the analysis of several magnetic radiation shield architectures and the spacecraft systems associated with them, such as quench detection, thermal management, and compensation coils. This work was performed as part of the NASA Institute of Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Grant Phase II effort. Because radiation exposure during long duration space missions poses a significant risk for crewed space-flight, Advanced Magnetic Lab, Inc. (AML) and NASA are studying magnetic radiation shielding, which may generate low-mass protection. Recent technological developments in high-temperature superconducting technology suggest the possibility of such shielding. This report analyzes some of the technical difficulties involved in such a system and identifies technology areas where further investment would be warranted. Most analysis was performed on a baseline configuration (8-meter diameter coils, with 1 tesla field). However, a baseline design with an expandable coil configuration (16 meter diameter coils, 1.5 tesla field) has a significant potential to increase shielding efficiency. The magnetic forces on the magnetic shield's components are large enough to require detailed structural design. Analysis of the thermal structural response of a yttrium-barium-copper-oxide (YBCO) high-temperature, superconducting (HTS) tape in a large-scale solenoid magnet showed that structural and thermal performance improved by replacing Hastelloy® with graphene in the tape. Integrating graphene into the high-strength fiber (HSF) support structure brings even greater benefits. The energy stored in a shield system's magnetic field must be safely dissipated if a quench-type failure occurs. Analysis of quench detection by fiber-optic thermal sensing and improvement of quench characteristics using graphene showed quench is manageable. Low-temperature superconductors can quench when subjected to movement, but lab tests of coil expansion testing showed that HTS materials do not quench when subject to the movement associated with coil expansion. Compensation coils are necessary to reduce the magnetic field in the crew habitat. Analysis showed that subdividing the compensation coil into individually controlled sections allows for a robust, adjustable system. AML analyzed the forces on an approaching capsule that were a result of eddy currents in its structure induced by its motion through the magnetic field from the coils. AML also analyzed coil-to-coil forces. Thermal control to maintain the HTS material at a suitable temperature is challenging. The sunshield technology review revealed a greater possibility of thermal insulation of the coils and use of passive cooling. The availability of suitable cryocoolers was also reviewed. A parametric graph estimating mass and shielding effectiveness for strength and thickness was developed, and allows spacecraft designers to assess the tradeoffs of using a magnetic radiation shield.

Spacecraft

Status of MSBS study at NAL

Two Magnetic Suspension and Balance Systems (MSBS) at the National Aerospace Laboratory (NAL) in Japan are introduced. They are the 10 cm MSBS and the 60 cm MSBS. They have 10 cm x 10 cm and 60 cm x 60 cm test sections. The control of suspending a model at the 10 cm MSBS is six degrees of freedom including the rolling moment control. The model for the rolling moment control has two pairs of small extra permanent magnets at both its ends plus a main cylindrical magnet. The rolling moment is generated by the magnetic forces acting on the extra magnets by controlled current passing through the four side coils independently. Test results show the roll angle of the model is controlled in this way. The dynamic calibration test was carried out at the MSBS in five degrees of freedom without the rolling moment control. The model is a simple cylindrical magnet magnetized along its axis. The obtained results show that the dynamic calibration with measured magnetic field intensity is much superior to that with the coil currents. The 60 cm MSBS was designed with some data obtained at the 10 cm one. It is fundamentally proportional to the 10 cm one in size and coil positions. The measured magnetic field intensity is not so strong as expected at design. It was operated first in 1993. The control is three degrees of freedom in the longitudinal direction.

Sawada, Hideo

Theoretical analysis of the electrical aspects of the basic electro-impulse problem in aircraft de-icing applications

A method of modelling a system consisting of a cylindrical coil with its axis perpendicular to a metal plate of finite thickness, and a simple electrical circuit for producing a transient current in the coil, is discussed in the context of using such a system for de-icing aircraft surfaces. A transmission line model of the coil and metal plate is developed as the heart of the system model. It is shown that this transmission model is central to calculation of the coil impedance, the coil current, the magnetic fields established on the surfaces of the metal plate, and the resultant total force between the coil and the plate. FORTRAN algorithms were developed for numerical calculation of each of these quantities, and the algorithms were applied to an experimental prototype system in which these quantities had been measured. Good agreement is seen to exist between the predicted and measured results.

Henderson, Robert A.

Integrated Orbit and Attitude Control for a Nanosatellite with Power Constraints

HokieSat is a NASA Goddard sponsored spacecraft currently being built by students at Virginia Tech. HokieSat is part of the Ionospheric Observation Nanosatellite Formation (ION-F) project. The project involves spacecraft built by three schools: Virginia Tech (VT), Utah State University (USU), and University of Washington (UW). The three spacecraft are similar in design and will perform formation flying demonstrations, and make ionospheric measurements. HokieSat uses Pulsed Plasma Thrusters (PPTs) to maintain its position in the formation. There are two pairs of PPTs on HokieSat; their position on HokieSat's hexagonal cross-section is shown. Thrusters T(sub 2) and T(sub 3) provide translation control, and Thrusters TI and T4 can provide yaw steering. Any thruster can be fired individually. However because they share a capacitor, thrusters T(sub 1) and T(sub 2) or thrusters T(sub 3) and T(sub 4) cannot be fired simultaneously. Thrusters T(sub 2) T(sub 3) can be fired simultaneously, as well as thrusters T(sub 1) and T(sub 4). Each thruster provides an impulse-bit of 56 micronN-s and fires at a rate of 1 Hz. For translation control thrusters T2 and T3 are fired together providing an impulse-bit of 112 micronN-s. All four thrusters are positioned slightly above the center of mass, and therefore exert a torque on the spacecraft. Because there are no thrusters in the zenith-nadir directions, and the communication system requires that the spacecraft remain nadir-pointing, there is no way to thrust in the radial direction. The attitude of HokieSat is controlled by 3 orthogonal magnetic torque coils. Attitude control is achieved by forcing a current through the torque coils, which interacts with the Earth's magnetic field and creates a torque. Due to magnetic field interactions between the coils and PPTs, the two actuator systems cannot be used simultaneously, and any attitude or orbit control must be performed in a piecewise fashion. Power limitations place an additional constraint on the HokieSat control subsystem. When the spacecraft is in eclipse, the power subsystem can provide only enough power to operate vital spacecraft functions.

Berry, Matthew M.

Optimization of passive superconductors for shaping stellarator magnetic fields

Here, we consider the problem of optimizing a set of passive superconducting coils (PSCs) with currents induced by a background magnetic field rather than power supplies. In the nuclear fusion literature, such coils have been proposed to partially produce the 3D magnetic fields for stellarators and provide passive stabilization. We perform the first optimizations of PSC arrays with respect to the orientation, shape, and location of each coil, jointly minimized with the background fields. We conclude by generating passive coil array solutions for four stellarators.

coil optimization

Efficient calculation of self magnetic field, self-force, and self-inductance for electromagnetic coils with rectangular cross-section

Abstract For designing high-field electromagnets, the Lorentz force on coils needs to be computed in order to design suitable support structures, and the inductance should be computed to evaluate the stored energy and dynamics. Also, the magnetic field and its variation inside the conductor is of interest for computing stress and strain, and due to superconducting quench limits. For these force, inductance, energy, and internal field calculations, the coils cannot be naively approximated as infinitesimally thin filaments due to divergences when the source and evaluation points coincide, so more computationally demanding calculations are usually required, resolving the finite cross-section of the conductors. Here, we present a new alternative method that enables the internal magnetic field vector, self-force, and self-inductance to be computed rapidly and accurately within a 1D filament model. The method is applicable to coils for which the curve center-line can have general noncircular shape, as long as the conductor width is small compared to the radius of curvature. This paper extends a previous calculation for circular-cross-section conductors (Hurwitz et al 2024 IEEE Trans. Magn. ) to consider the case of rectangular cross-section. The reduced model is derived by rigorous analysis of the singularity, regularizing the filament integrals such that they match the true high-dimensional integrals at high coil aspect ratio. The new filament model exactly recovers analytic results for a circular coil, and is shown to accurately reproduce full finite-cross-section calculations for a non-planar coil of a stellarator magnetic fusion device. Due to the efficiency of the model here, it is well suited for use inside design optimization.

Landreman, Matt (ORCID:000000027233577X)