Design concepts for the ASTROMAG cryogenic system

Conference · Mon Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1987

OSTI ID:6094283

Green, M A; Castles, S

This paper describes the proposed cryogenic system used to cool the superconducting magnet for the Space Station based ASTROMAG Particle Astrophysics Facility. This 2-meter diameter superconducting magnet will be cooled using stored helium II. The paper presents a liquid helium storage concept which would permit cryogenic lifetimes of up to 3 years between refills. It is proposed that the superconducting coil be cooled using superfluid helium pumped by the thermomechanical effect. It is also proposed that the storage tank be resupplied with helium in orbit. A method for charging and discharging the magnet with minimum helium loss using split gas-cooled leads is discussed. A proposal to use a Stirling cycle cryocooler to extend the storage life of the cryostat will also be presented.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Berkeley Lab., CA (USA); National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Greenbelt, MD (USA). Goddard Space Flight Center
• DOE Contract Number: AC03-76SF00098
• OSTI ID: 6094283
• Report Number(s): LBL-23822; CONF-8706125-13; ON: DE87014683
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

420201* -- Engineering-- Cryogenic Equipment & Devices
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
CONTROL EQUIPMENT
CRYOGENICS
CRYOSTATS
DESIGN
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ELECTROMAGNETS
ELEMENTS
EQUIPMENT
FLUIDS
GASES
HELIUM
MAGNETS
NONMETALS
PUMPS
RARE GASES
SAFETY
SPACE VEHICLES
STIRLING CYCLE
STORAGE LIFE
SUPERCONDUCTING DEVICES
SUPERCONDUCTING MAGNETS
SUPERFLUIDITY
THERMODYNAMIC CYCLES
THERMOSTATS
VEHICLES