SUPERCONDUCTING SWITCH SYSTEMS

摘要

A superconducting switch system is provided in a superconducting magnet circuit (40) comprising a number of magnet coils (41) serially connected together by superconducting joints. The switch system comprises a main superconducting switch 1, which carries the magnet operating current during normal operation of the circuit, and an auxiliary superconducting switch 2 connected in parallel with the main switch 1 and connected to the circuit by low resistance connecting parts 2 and 4 (45), preferably constituted by solder joints, rather than superconducting connections. In operation, once appropriate current has been supplied to the circuit with the main and auxiliary switches 1, 2 in the open position, the main and auxiliary switches 1, 2 are closed in order to cause the current to persist in the circuit 40 without further power input. If the main switch 1 quenches, the current will transfer to the auxiliary switch 2 through the resistive connecting parts 3 and 4. Subsequently, after the main switch 1 has been re-cooled and has recovered to the superconducting state, the voltage drop through the resistive connecting parts 3 and 4 will drive the current back to the main switch 1. In this manner the main switch is protected by the auxiliary switch from external or internal events or interference.