COOLING SYSTEM FOR HIGH TEMPERATURE SUPERCONDUCTING MACHINES

Abstract: A cryogenic cooling system (10) is configured to control the flow of a heat transfer fluid through a remote thermal load (17), such as a superconducting magnet or rotor. The cryogenic cooling system (10) includes a refrigerator (12) including a cryogenically cooled surface and a cryogenic fluid transport device (15) disposed within the refrigerator (12) for circulating a heat transfer fluid between the cryogenically cooled surface and the remote thermal load (17). The cryogenic fluid transport device (15) being positioned within the refrigerator advantageously serves as device for providing the necessary mechanical force necessary to move the heat transfer fluid from the cryogenically cooled surface (e.g., end of a cryocooler) (13) to the remote thermal load (17). Thus, unlike conventional cooling arrangements the heat transfer fluid does not require a phase change.

Description: COOLING SYSTEM FOR HIGH TEMPERATURE SUPERCONDUCTING MACHINES <B>TECHNICAL</B> FIELD This invention relates to cooling loads, particularly superconducting loads in rotating reference frames. <B>BACKGROUND</B> The invention relates to cooling loads including superconducting components (e.g.. a superconducting magnet). Superconducting rotating machines such as motors and generators must<B>be</B> cooled such that the field structures of their rotors are in the superconducting state. The conventional approach to cooling rotor field coils is to immerse the rotor in a cryogenic liquid. For example, a rotor employing field coils made of high temperature superconducting materials might be immersed in liquid nitrogen. In this case. heat generated<B>by</B> or conducted into the rotor is absorbed<B>by</B> the cryogenic liquid which undergoes a phase change to the gaseous state. Consequently, the cryogenic liquid must be replenished on a continuing basis. Another approach for cooling superconducting magnets is the cryogenic refri erator or crvocooler. Cryocoolers are mechanical devices operating in one of <B>9</B> several therniodynamic cycles such as the Gifford-McMahon cycle and the Stirling cycle. Cryocoolers have found application. for example. in cooling the stationary magnets in magnetic resonance imaging systems. Good cryocooler performance depends in large part on a design optimized for the actual conditions within which the cryocooler operates. More recently cryocoolers have been adapted for operation in rotating environments. such as superconducting motors and generators. One approach L_ for doing so is described in U.S. Patent No.<B>5,482,919.</B> An approach for cooling field windings in a superconducting motor is described in U.S. Patent No.<B>5.848.532</B> SUMMARY The invention features a cryogenic cooling system configured to control the flow of a heat transfer fluid through a remote thermal load. such as a superconducting magnet or rotor. In a general aspect of the invention. the cryogenic cooling system includes a refricrerator including a cryogenically cooled surface and a cryogenic fluid transport device disposed within the refrigerator for circulating a heat transfer fluid between the cryogenically cooled surface and the remote thermal load. The cryogenic fluid transport device being positioned within the refrigerator advantageously serves as device for providing the necessary mechanical force necessary to move the heat transfer fluid from the cryogenically cooled surface (e.g <B>I</B> t7 end of a cryocooler) to the remote thermal load. Thus. unlike conventional cooling arrangements the heat transfer fluid does not require a phase change, Embodiments of this aspect of the invention may include one or more of the flowina features. The refrigerator is stationary and the remote thermal load rotates relative to the stationary refrigerator. Thus, the system is well suited for use in applications (e.g,., rotating machinery, such as motors and generators) where it is difficult to place the heat exchanging cooling device (e.g., cryocooler) in the rotating reference frame where the cooling is needed. The cryocooler can be a Gifford-McMahon cryocooler. In another aspect of the invention, a method of cooling a rotating thermal load from a refrigerator having a cryogenically cooled surface includes the following steps. <B>A</B> fluid transport device is positioned within the refrigerator. The fluid transport device is operated to provide a heat transfer fluid to the thermal load in an initial non-rotating condition. The thermal load is rotated to a sufficient rotational velocity to generate sufficient forces to cause the heat transfer fluid to move toward the rotating thermal load. With this approach, operation of the fan can be limited to the initial start up of the rotating thermal load. (e.g.. rotor assembly) in a particular mode to increase the reliabilitv of the fan and overall reliability of the system. This approach takes advantaRe of the difference in density of the cooled heat transfer gas supplied<B>by</B> the refri2erator and the waimer heat transfer gas heated by the rotating thermal load (e.g superconducting windings) for return to the refrigerator. Specifically. the cold helium beincy supplied to the rotating thermal load is denser than the warmed gas being returned to the refrigerator. The centrifugal force supplied<B>by</B> the rotating then-nal load --pushes" the helium radially away from the axis of rotating thermal load. However, because the density of the helium being returned is lower than the helium being supplied, the lower density helium is "pushed" toward the axis, thereby setting up a recirculation loop without additional force from the fan In embodiments relating to this method, operation of the fan may be terminated after the rotating thermal load has achieved a sufficient rotational velocity. In certain embodiments of both aspects of the invention. a number of cryocoolers each having a corresponding cryogenically cooled surface may be used to provide a level of redundancy, thereby allowing continued operation of the system in the event that one or more of the cryocoolers requires repair or maintenance. In such embodiments. valving (and appropriate bypass conduits) may be provided to selectively isolate at least one of the plurality of the cryocoolers from remaining ones of the plurality of cryocoolers. For similar reasons. a number of cryogenic fluid transport devices may be provided to provide the same maintenance and repair advantages described above with respect to the multiple cryocoolers. Exemplary heat transfer fluids include helium, hydrogen, oxygen. nitrogen, argon, neon. and mixtures thereof The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features. objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. <B>DESCRIPTION</B> OF DRAWINGS Fit:!.<B>I</B> is a diagrammatic representation of a cooling system accordance with the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Refei ring to<U>Fig.</U><B>1,</B> a cooling system<B>10</B> includes a heat exchanger in the form of a refri2erator 12 connected to a load. here a rotor assembly 14 of a superconducting <B>C7</B> motor<B>17.</B> via a conduit circuit<B>15</B> through which a refrigerant, cryogenic or heat transfer fluid flows. The conduit circuit is formed of vacuum insulated lines. Because the cryogenic fluid is being delivered to a rotor assembly. a rotary seal. such as ferTofluidic seal<B>19</B> is used to interface refrigerator 12. which is in a stationary reference plane to rotor assembly 14 in a rotating reference plane. In this embodiment. the cryogenic fluid is helium and. therefore, cooling system<B>10</B> includes a source 20 of helium. which may be required to replenish helium to the system due to leakage, for example through rotary seal<B>19.</B> Preferentially, the cryogen circulates through the cooling system in a gaseous state Refrigerator 12 may be in the form of any of a wide variety of configurations including perforated plate or coiled tube heat exchangers. In this embodiment, refrigerator 12 is directly attached (e.g., <B>by</B> solder) to six cryocoolers <B>D.</B> each of which mav be anv of a wide variety of cryocooling refrigerators designed to operate according to one of several thermodynamic cycles including Gifford-McMahon, Stirling and pulse-tube cycle, such as those described in U.S. <B>5,482.919.</B> Each cryocooler <B>13 is</B> associated with a compressor<B>23,</B> however. in other embodiments. a single compressor may be used with the multiple cryocoolers. Each cryocooler provides a cryogenically cooled surface for coolinL, the helium. One example of a cryocooler appropriate for use in cooling system<B>10</B> is Model No. RGS 120-T, manufactured<B>by</B> Leybold. Inc.. Cologne. Germany. Cryocoolers, <B>13</B> are connected in a series arrangement and include valves<B>18</B> to allow each cryocooler to be isolated from remaining ones of the cryocoolers while allowing continued operation of the system. In particular. bypass conduits (not shown) for each cryocooler <B>13</B> are used to allow continued flow of the cryogenic fluid so that the isolated cryocooler can be, for example. repaired or replaced. Valves<B>18</B> may be any of a wide variety of valves capable of operating at cryogenic temperatures including control or solenoidal valves. Valcor Scientific. Inc., Springfield, New Jersey provides valves (e.g., on/off type) which are appropriate for use as valve<B>18</B> in cooling system 10. Cooling system<B>10</B> also includes. in this embodiment, a pair of high-speed <B>(10.000 - '</B> )0.000 rpm) fans<B>18</B> disposed within the refrigerator 12 for circulating the helium through the cooling system. In essence, fans<B>18</B> serve as a mechanical means positioned within the cryogenic environment for providing the necessary force to move the helium past cryocoolers <B>13</B> and on to rotor assembly 14. With that in mind, other mechanical devices capable of supplying such forces and operating in a cryogenic environment including diaphragms, piston-operated devices or blowers can serve as fluid transfer device(s) in cooling system<B>10.</B> Thus. unlike many conventional coolinu arrangements the helium (or other cryogenic fluid) need not undergo a phase change to be re-cooled after being heated<B>by</B> the load. As was the case with the multiple cryocoolers <B>B.</B> a pair of fans<B>18</B> is used to provide redundancy and facilitate maintenance in the event that one of the fans requires maintenance or replacement.<B>Of</B> course. appropriate valve and bypass conduits are required to allow each of fails<B>18</B> to be isolated from the other while allowing continuous operation of the system.<B>A</B> fan determined well-suited for operation in a cryogenic environment is a Model<B>A20</B> fan, available from Stirling Cryogenics and Refrigeration BV. The Netherlands. Operation of fan<B>18</B> can be limited to initial start up of rotor assembly 14 in a particular mode to increase the reliability of the fan and overall reliability of the system. ln particular. rotor assembly is configured such that the helium gas is introduced through a first introduction line<B>27</B> lying substantially along an axis<B>25</B> of the rotor assembly. The cooled helium from refrigerator 12 is then provided to the superconducting field windings along a supply line<B>29</B> that extends radially away from axis<B>225.</B> The helium gas is then returned along a first return line<B>3 ) I</B> which extends radially back to a second return line<B>33</B> lying substantially along axis<B>25</B> and back to refrigerator 12. Configuring the introduction, supply and return lines in this manner advantageously allows for centrifugal forces generated<B>by</B> the rotating machine to assist and, in certain embodiments, supply all of the necessary force to maintain circulation of the helium between rotor assembly 14 and refrigerator 12. That is, in certain applications, fan<B>18</B> may be operated in a more limited fashion to provide supplemental force to the helium flowing through the system, while. in other applications. the fail may only be required to operate at an initial mode in which the motor is not yet rotatin-I This approach takes advantage of the difference in density of the cooled heat transfer gas supplied<B>by</B> the refrigerator and the warmer heat transfer gas heated<B>by</B> the superconducting windings for return to the refrigerator. Specifically, the cold helium moving away from axis<B>25</B> along supply line<B>25</B> is denser than the warmed gas being returned alon2 return line<B>1.</B> The centrifugal force supplied<B>by</B> the rotating rotor assembly 14. in essence. -pushes" the helium away from axis<B>25</B> of rotor assembly 14. However. because the densitv of the helium being returned is lower than the helium being supplied. the lower density helium is ",pushed" toward the axis. thereby setting up a recirculation loop without additional force from fan<B>18.</B> Other embodiments are within the scope of the claims, For example. although helium was used as the refrigerant in the above description of cooling system<B>10.</B> other workin- fluids, such as nitrogen. oxygen, hydrogen, ai#g t- _on, neon and mixtures thereof may be used depending upon the particular application, temperature of operation, and the desired level of cooling. In other embodiments, in order to facilitate maintenance and repair of cryocoolers <B>13.</B> the cryocoolers can<B>be</B> provided so that a sleeve-like housing is maintained in connection with the coolin(T system with the internal portions of the cryocoolers removable to allow repair or replacement. The concept of the invention is equally applicable for cooling components at temperatures higher than those required for both high and low temperature superconductors. For example, cooling system<B>10</B> can also be used to cool cryogenic electronic systems at temperatures between<B>90'</B> and 2' )60K (preferably. 150'-l 70'K). Examples of cryogenic electronic systems are described in U.S. Patent no.<B>5.612.615.</B> In such cryogenic applications, refrigerants other than those described above may be preferable. For example, a fluoroalkane, or other fluorocarbon may be used. In high voltage applications. the refrigerant used for providing refrigeration is desired to have a high dielectric strength characteristic. The above described fluoroalkaries, for example, are known to have such a characteristic,

Claims: 1. A cryogenic cooling system for cooling a remote thermal load comprising: a refrigerator including at least one cryogenicaUy cooled surface and at least one cryogenic fluid transport device disposed within the refrigerator for circulating a heat transfer fluid between the cryogenicaUy cooled surface and the remote thermal load. 2. The cryogenic cooling system of claim 1 wherein the refrigerator is stationary and the remote thermal load rotates relative to the stationary refrigerator. 3. The cryogenic cooling system of claim 2 further comprising a cryocooler having the cryogenicaUy cooled surface. 4. The cryogenic cooling system of claim 3 wherein the cryocooler is a Gifford-McMahon cryocooler. 5. The cryogenic cooling system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of cryocoolers, each having a corresponding cryogenicaUy cooled surface. 6. The cryogenic cooling system of claim 5 wherein each of the cryocoolers is a Gifford-McMahon cryocooler. 7. The cryogenic cooling system of claim 5 further comprising valving to selectively isolate at least one of the plurality of the cryocoolers from remaining ones of the plurality of cryocoolers. 8. The cryogenic cooling system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of cryogenic fluid transport devices. 9. The cryogenic cooling system of claim 8 further comprising valving to selectively isolate at least one of the plurality of the cryogenic fluid transport devices from remaining ones of the plurality of cryogenic fluid transport devices. 10. The cryogenic cooling system of claim 1 wherein the cryogenic fluid transfer device includes a fan. 1 1. The cryogenic cooling system of claim 1 wherein the heat transfer fluid is selected from a group consisting of helium, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, argon, neon, and mixtures thereof. 12. The cryogenic cooling system of claim 1 wherein the heat transfer fluid is helium. 13. A method of cooling a rotating thermal load from a refrigerator including a cryogenicaUy cooled surface, the method comprising: positioning a fluid transport device within the refrigerator: operating the fluid transport device to provide a heat transfer fluid to thermal load in an initial non-rotating condition; and rotating the thermal load to a sufficient rotational velocity to generate sufficient forces to cause the heat transfer fluid to move toward the rotating thermal load. 14. The method of claim 13 further comprising after rotating the thermal load, terminating operation of the fluid transport device. 15. The method of claim 13 wherein the cryogenic fluid transfer device includes a fan. 16. The method of claim 13 wherein the heat transfer fluid is selected from a group consisting of helium, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, argon, neon, and mixtures thereof. 17. The method of claim 13 wherein the heat transfer fluid is helium.

Inventors: MAGUIRE JAMES F, SIDI-YEKHLEF AHMED, WINN PETER M, YUAN JIE, MAGUIRE, JAMES, F., SIDI-YEKHLEF, AHMED, WINN, PETER, M., YUAN, JIE
Applicants: AMERICAN SUPERCONDUCTOR CORP, AMERICAN SUPERCONDUCTOR CORPORATION
Application year: 2001
Main classification: F25B9
IPC codes: F25B9, F25D17, H02K55