Resin impregnated coils and support structure for NMR type electromagnet and a method for its manufacture

摘要

A method of making an electromagnet comprises providing a collapsible mould which encompasses wire wound coils 20, which are wound into defined positions, and at least part of their supporting structure 22. The said coils 20 and said support structure 22 are then impregnated with a thermosetting resin which is allowed to harden to form a single piece structure which is then removed from the mould. The collapsible mould may be disassembled into sections which may be removed from the inside of the structure formed. The mould may include an outer member which combines with the inner mould to form an enclosed moulding cavity containing the said coils and support structure. The resin impregnation may be performed in a vacuum. The coils 20 may be formed from superconducting wire. The resin covered coil and support structure may be mechanically connected to another like structure to provide different coil configurations. The support structure 22 may be aluminium tubular staves which can be combined with a cryogenic cooling system to cool the coils 20. Also claimed is an electromagnet structure which comprises a support structure associated with wire wound coils where the said coils and support structure are impregnated by a thermosetting resin to form a monolithic structure. This structure may include aluminium tubular stave supports which are arranged parallel to the axis of the said coils. A cheap, compact and efficient electromagnet may be provided.