US4554731A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for making superconductive magnet coils
Assignee: United States, ENERGY THE, Secretary of, Department of
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Filing: 1983-11-07
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Granted: 1985-11-26
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Expires: 2003-11-07
Abstract
Abstract A curved, shell-type magnet coil, adapted to be used in a superconducting magnet, is wound by providing a mandrel having a tubular cylindrical mid-portion terminating at both ends in tapered end portions formed with longitudinal slots having flexible fingers therebetween. An elongated electrical conductor is wound around an elongated oval-shaped pole island engaged with the outside of the cylindrical mid-portion, to form a multiplicity of oval-shaped turns engaged with a 180-degree segment of the mandrel. The coil turns have longitudinal portions with curved portions therebetween, engaging the tapered end portions of the mandrel. Upon completion of the winding, tapered expansion members are fully inserted into the tapered end portions, to displace the flexible fingers outwardly into a cylindrical form and to displace the curved portions of the turns into a shape conforming to such cylindrical form while also exerting increased tension upon the turns to minimize draping of the turns and to enhance the mechanical integrity of the coil. A half cylinder clamp may then be employed to clamp the coil, whereupon the coil may be solified by the use of an epoxy adhesive.
Inventors
- 👤 Albert R. Borden
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 17:53
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01F; H01F41/00; H01F41/02; H01F41/04; H01F41/048; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S505/00; Y10S505/825; Y10S505/917; Y10S505/924; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49002; Y10T29/49014; Y10T29/4902; Y10T29/49071; Y10T29/53; Y10T29/5313; Y10T29/5317; Y10T29/53265
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
227 words
A method of making a curved generally pancake-shaped coil adapted to be mounted around a 180-degree segment of a cylindrical support, such method comprising the steps of providing a tubular mandrel having a tubular cylindrical substantially rigid mid-portion terminating at both ends in tapered tubular end portions formed with a multiplicity of longitudinal slots providing flexible fingers between said slots, providing an elongated oval shaped pole island in engagement with the outside of said cylindrical mid-portion and parallel with the axis thereof, winding an elongated electrical conductor around said pole island to form a multiplicity of generally oval shaped turns in engagement with a 180-degree segment of the outside of said mandrel, said turns having longitudinal portions with curved portions extending therebetween, the curved portions of at least some of said turns engaging said tapered end portions of said mandrel, providing tapered expansion members of circular cross section for expanding said tapered end portions, and inserting said expansion members into said tapered end portions of said mandrel and thereby displacing said flexible fingers outwardly into a generally cylindrical form so as to displace said curved portions of said turns into a shape conforming to said cylindrical form while also exerting increased tension upon the turns of the coil to minimize draping of the longitudinal portions of said turns and to enhance the mechanical integrity of said coil.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
227 words
A method of making a curved generally pancake-shaped coil adapted to be mounted around a 180-degree segment of a cylindrical support, such method comprising the steps of providing a tubular mandrel having a tubular cylindrical substantially rigid mid-portion terminating at both ends in tapered tubular end portions formed with a multiplicity of longitudinal slots providing flexible fingers between said slots, providing an elongated oval shaped pole island in engagement with the outside of said cylindrical mid-portion and parallel with the axis thereof, winding an elongated electrical conductor around said pole island to form a multiplicity of generally oval shaped turns in engagement with a 180-degree segment of the outside of said mandrel, said turns having longitudinal portions with curved portions extending therebetween, the curved portions of at least some of said turns engaging said tapered end portions of said mandrel, providing tapered expansion members of circular cross section for expanding said tapered end portions, and inserting said expansion members into said tapered end portions of said mandrel and thereby displacing said flexible fingers outwardly into a generally cylindrical form so as to displace said curved portions of said turns into a shape conforming to said cylindrical form while also exerting increased tension upon the turns of the coil to minimize draping of the longitudinal portions of said turns and to enhance the mechanical integrity of said coil.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method according to claim 1, including the provision of a clamping member in the form of a half cylinder, and clamping said coil with said clamping member while inserting said expansion members to assist in precisely shaping said coil to fit around said 180-degree segment.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
66 words
A method according to claim 2, including the provision of an adhesive material for securing the turns of said coil together and maintaining the shape of said coil upon the removal of said coil from said mandrel, and causing said adhesive material to set after insertion of said expansion members into the end portions of said mandrel and after clamping said coil with said clamping member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 3, in which said adhesive material is provided in the form of an epoxy material, the setting of said adhesive material being accomplished by causing said epoxy material to polymerize.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
A method according to claim 1, comprising the provision of an adhesive material for securing the turns of said coil together and for maintaining the shape of said coil after removal of said coil from said mandrel, and causing said adhesive material to set after insertion of said expansion members into said end portions of said mandrel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 5, in which said adhesive material is provided in the form of an epoxy material, the setting of said adhesive material being accomplished by causing said epoxy material to polymerize.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 1, in which said electrical conductor is provided in a form utilizing an electrically conductive material exhibiting the property of superconductivity when cooled below a predetermined temperature near absolute zero.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 1, additionally including the step of inserting a wedge-shaped strip of flexible material between selected successive turns of the electrical conductor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 8, additionally include the step of forming the wedge-shaped strips from a resinous plastic material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 1, additionally including the step of forming the electrical conductor so as to have a wedge-shaped cross-section.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
216 words
Apparatus for use in winding a curved generally pancake-shaped coil configured to be mounted around a 180-degree segment of a cylindrical support, said apparatus comprising a tubular mandrel having a tubular cylindrical substantially rigid mid-portion terminating at both ends in tapered tubular end portions formed with a multiplicity of longitudinal slots providing flexible fingers between said slots, an elongated oval shaped pole island in engagement with the outside of said cylindrical mid-portion of said mandrel and parallel with the axis thereof, said mandrel and said pole island are configured to support a multiplicity of generally oval shaped turns of an elongated electrical conductor wound around said pole island and in engagement with a 180-degree segment of the outside of said mandrel with at least some of the curved portions of the turns engaging the tapered end portions of said mandrel, and tapered expansion members of circular cross section for insertion into said tapered end portions of said mandrel to displace said flexible fingers outwardly into a generally cylindrical form so as to displace the curved portions of the turns into a shape conforming to said cylindrical form while also exerting increased tension upon the turns of the coil to minimize draping of longitudinal portions of the turns and to enhance the mechanical integrity of the coil.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
216 words
Apparatus for use in winding a curved generally pancake-shaped coil configured to be mounted around a 180-degree segment of a cylindrical support, said apparatus comprising a tubular mandrel having a tubular cylindrical substantially rigid mid-portion terminating at both ends in tapered tubular end portions formed with a multiplicity of longitudinal slots providing flexible fingers between said slots, an elongated oval shaped pole island in engagement with the outside of said cylindrical mid-portion of said mandrel and parallel with the axis thereof, said mandrel and said pole island are configured to support a multiplicity of generally oval shaped turns of an elongated electrical conductor wound around said pole island and in engagement with a 180-degree segment of the outside of said mandrel with at least some of the curved portions of the turns engaging the tapered end portions of said mandrel, and tapered expansion members of circular cross section for insertion into said tapered end portions of said mandrel to displace said flexible fingers outwardly into a generally cylindrical form so as to displace the curved portions of the turns into a shape conforming to said cylindrical form while also exerting increased tension upon the turns of the coil to minimize draping of longitudinal portions of the turns and to enhance the mechanical integrity of the coil.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus according to claim 11, in which said tapered expansion members are initially partially inserted into said tapered end portions of said mandrel, said tapered expansion members being movable into fully inserted positions within said tapered end portions upon completion of the winding of the coil.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus according to claim 11, including a clamping member in the form of a half cylinder, said clamping member being movable into clamping engagement with the completed coil to assist in shaping the coil to fit around a 180-degree segment of a cylindrical support.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-11-25 | 1989-05-27 | 1989-11-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-11-25 | 1993-05-27 | 1993-11-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-11-25 | 1997-05-27 | 1997-11-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |