Superconducting Systems (superconducting-systems)
Purpose
Screen superconducting magnet operating margins — current, temperature, stored energy, dump voltage, and cryogenic cooling balance. Provides scalar safety margins before detailed quench protection analysis.
Physics & theory
Superconductors carry lossless current below critical current and critical temperature . Operating point must stay below critical surface. Stored inductive energy must be safely dissipated during quench through dump resistor without exceeding insulation voltage.
Quench dump: voltage across dump resistance ; discharge time constant . Static heat leak into cold mass must remain below cryocooler capacity to maintain operating temperature.
Advanced systems calculators use lumped-parameter screening models suitable for concept trade studies. Each calculator returns explicit assumptions and warnings arrays documenting model limits. Constants such as ( sigma ) (Stefan–Boltzmann), ( mu_0 ), and ( R ) (gas constant) use SI definitions from the solver source.
Results are not certified for regulatory submission without independent verification against detailed analysis or test data.
Governing equations
Numerical method
Scalar margin screening (advanced-systems/calculators). Negative margins flagged in warnings. No finite-element quench propagation or critical surface interpolation.
Inputs
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
inductance, operatingCurrent | Magnet electrical |
criticalCurrent, criticalTemperature | SC limits |
operatingTemperature | Bath temperature (K) |
dumpResistance | Protection resistor |
heatLoad, coolingPower | Cryogenic balance |
Outputs
- Stored energy, current margin, temperature margin, dump voltage, discharge τ, cooling margin, warnings.
Design codes & checks
- Indicative: Current/temperature margin, stored energy screening
- IEC: Superconductivity terminology and magnet practice (context)
Assumptions & limitations
- Scalar margins only; no conductor critical surface .
- Quench propagation, hotspot formation, and insulation stress not modeled.
- Single lumped inductance and dump resistance.
- Does not replace qualified quench protection system design.
References
- Wilson, M. N. Superconducting Magnets. Oxford University Press.
- Iwasa, Y. Case Studies in Superconducting Magnets, 2nd ed. Springer.
- IEC 60050-815. International Electrotechnical Vocabulary — Superconductivity.
- Ekin, J. W. Experimental Techniques for Low-Temperature Measurements. Oxford.
- PhyCalcPro verification benchmarks in
src/data/verification/where available for this module. - Beer, F. P., et al. Mechanics of Materials, 8th ed. McGraw-Hill — foundational stress and deformation theory.