Transient multi-physics behavior of an insert high temperature superconducting no-insulation coil in hybrid superconducting magnets with inductive coupling

A transient multi-physics model incorporated with an electromagneto-thermomechanical coupling is developed to capture the multi-field behavior of a single-pancake (SP) insert no-insulation (NI) coil in a hybrid magnet during the charging and discharging processes. The coupled problem is resolved by means of the finite element method (FEM) for the magneto-thermo-elastic behaviors and the Runge-Kutta method for the transient responses of the electrical circuits of the hybrid superconducting magnet system. The results reveal that the transient multi-physics responses of the insert NI coil primarily depend on the charging/discharging procedure of the hybrid magnet. Moreover, a reverse azimuthal current and a compressive hoop stress are induced in the insert NI coil during the charging process, while a forward azimuthal current and a tensile hoop stress are observed during the discharging process. The induced voltages in the insert NI coil can drive the currents flowing across the radial turns where the contact resistance exists. Therefore, it brings forth significant Joule heat, causing a temperature rise and a uniform distribution of this heat in the coil turns. Accordingly, a thermally/mechanically unstable or quenching event may be encountered when a high operating current is flowing in the insert NI coil. It is numerically predicted that a quick charging will induce a compressive hoop stress which may bring a risk of buckling instability in the coil, while a discharging will not. The simulations provide an insight of hybrid superconducting magnets under transient start-up or shutdown phases which are inevitably encountered in practical applications.