Patents by Inventor Robert MUMGAARD
Robert MUMGAARD has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20240387063Abstract: Techniques are described for automatically removing and replacing components, including a vacuum vessel, from a tokamak. The inventors have recognized that schemes for automatically removing and replacing components from a tokamak should preferably be simple (e.g., using proven equipment to perform a series of non-mechanically complex tasks) and have a very low risk of damaging components. Techniques described herein may include splitting a tokamak into multiple pieces, separating the pieces, and removing the now separate pieces of the vacuum vessel from within the pieces of the tokamak. A new vacuum vessel can be inserted in multiple pieces and the tokamak rejoined to complete the replacement process.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2023Publication date: November 21, 2024Applicant: Commonwealth Fusion Systems LLCInventors: Brandon N. Sorbom, Robert Mumgaard, Daniel Brunner, Alexander Creely, Cody Dennett, Matthew Vernacchia, Caroline Sorensen, Theodore Wyeth
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Publication number: 20240203628Abstract: Described herein are concepts, system and techniques which provide a means to construct robust high-field superconducting magnets using simple fabrication techniques and modular components that scale well toward commercialization. The resulting magnet assembly—which utilizes non-insulated, high temperature superconducting tapes (HTS) and provides for optimized coolant pathways—is inherently strong structurally, which enables maximum utilization of the high magnetic fields available with HTS technology. In addition, the concepts described herein provide for control of quench-induced current distributions within the tape stack and surrounding superstructure to safely dissipate quench energy, while at the same time obtaining acceptable magnet charge time. The net result is a structurally and thermally robust, high-field magnet assembly that is passively protected against quench fault conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2023Publication date: June 20, 2024Applicants: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Commonwealth Fusion System LLCInventors: Brian LABOMBARD, Robert S. GRANETZ, James IRBY, Rui VIEIRA, William BECK, Daniel BRUNNER, Jeffrey DOODY, Martin GREENWALD, Zachary HARTWIG, Philip MICHAEL, Robert MUMGAARD, Alexey RADOVINSKY, Shunichi SHIRAIWA, Brandon N. SORBOM, John WRIGHT, Lihua ZHOU
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Publication number: 20240013960Abstract: A magnet system and method of operating may be used in connection with operating a superconducting electromagnet, for example in a tokamak. The magnet system includes a coil having windings retained within a non-insulated structure, so that current can pass both along the windings to generate a magnetic field, and between the windings. The amount of current passing through the coil is trimmed using a bypass circuit, coupled in parallel to the coil terminals. The bypass circuit is controlled on the basis of measurements of the field components to divert current from passing through the field coil. In this way, the magnetic fields of each of multiple field coils can be brought into mutual uniformity.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2021Publication date: January 11, 2024Applicants: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Commonwealth Fusion Systems LLCInventors: Alexey RADOVINSKY, Robert MUMGAARD, Theodore GOLFINOPOULOS
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Patent number: 11810712Abstract: Described herein are concepts, system and techniques which provide a means to construct robust high-field superconducting magnets using simple fabrication techniques and modular components that scale well toward commercialization. The resulting magnet assembly—which utilizes non-insulated, high temperature superconducting tapes (HTS) and provides for optimized coolant pathways—is inherently strong structurally, which enables maximum utilization of the high magnetic fields available with HTS technology. In addition, the concepts described herein provide for control of quench-induced current distributions within the tape stack and surrounding superstructure to safely dissipate quench energy, while at the same time obtaining acceptable magnet charge time. The net result is a structurally and thermally robust, high-field magnet assembly that is passively protected against quench fault conditions.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2022Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Commonwealth Fusion Systems LLCInventors: Brian Labombard, Robert S. Granetz, James Irby, Rui Vieira, William Beck, Daniel Brunner, Jeffrey Doody, Martin Greenwald, Zachary Hartwig, Philip Michael, Robert Mumgaard, Alexey Radovinsky, Shunichi Shiraiwa, Brandon N. Sorbom, John Wright, Lihua Zhou
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Publication number: 20230282400Abstract: A method includes inserting a high temperature superconductor (HTS) cable into a groove of a support structure; and flowing a molten metal into the HTS cable while the HTS cable is in the groove. A magnet structure includes a support structure having a groove; and a high temperature superconductor (HTS) cable comprising a metal at least partially filling the HTS cable, the HTS cable being disposed in the groove.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2021Publication date: September 7, 2023Applicants: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Commonwealth Fusion Systems LLCInventors: Alexey RADOVINSKY, Brian LABOMBARD, Robert MUMGAARD
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Publication number: 20230073419Abstract: Schemes are described for conductor and coolant placement in stacked-plate superconducting magnets, including arranging coolant channels and conducting channels within the plates on opposing faces. If the two types of channels are aligned with one another across the plate stacks, the plates may be stacked such that the cooling channel in one plate is adjacent to the conducting channel of the neighboring plate. By stacking a number of these plates, therefore, cooling may be supplied to each conducting channel through the cooling channels of each neighboring plate. Moreover, by aligning the two types of channels, the stacks of plates may have improved mechanical strength because mechanical load paths through the entire stack that do not pass through any of the channels may be created. This arrangement of channels may produce a very strong stack of plates that can withstand high Lorentz loads.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2021Publication date: March 9, 2023Applicants: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Commonwealth Fusion Systems LLCInventors: Brian LABOMBARD, Robert MUMGAARD, William BECK, Jeffrey DOODY
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Publication number: 20220359111Abstract: A system comprises a superconducting magnet comprising a coil of superconducting material. The coil includes electrical terminals. The windings of the coil are separated by a metallic conductor. A control circuit is coupled to the terminals to drive a current through the coil to charge the superconducting magnet and configured to provide a current through the coil that is sufficiently small to avoid a quenching effect of the superconducting magnet but also large enough to charge the magnet within a predetermined time period. A cooling structure is thermally coupled to the coil to remove heat caused by charging the superconducting magnet with the current to allow for the current to be sufficiently large to charge the magnet within the predetermined time period without causing the quenching effect.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2020Publication date: November 10, 2022Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Daniel BRUNNER, Robert MUMGAARD
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Publication number: 20220336130Abstract: Described herein are concepts, system and techniques which provide a means to construct robust high-field superconducting magnets using simple fabrication techniques and modular components that scale well toward commercialization. The resulting magnet assembly—which utilizes non-insulated, high temperature superconducting tapes (HTS) and provides for optimized coolant pathways—is inherently strong structurally, which enables maximum utilization of the high magnetic fields available with HTS technology. In addition, the concepts described herein provide for control of quench-induced current distributions within the tape stack and surrounding superstructure to safely dissipate quench energy, while at the same time obtaining acceptable magnet charge time. The net result is a structurally and thermally robust, high-field magnet assembly that is passively protected against quench fault conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2022Publication date: October 20, 2022Applicants: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Commonwealth Fusion System LLCInventors: Brian LABOMBARD, Robert S. GRANETZ, James IRBY, Rui VIEIRA, William BECK, Daniel BRUNNER, Jeffrey DOODY, Martin GREENWALD, Zachary HARTWIG, Philip MICHAEL, Robert MUMGAARD, Alexey RADOVINSKY, Syun'ichi SHIRAIWA, Brandon N. SORBOM, John WRIGHT, Lihua ZHOU
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Patent number: 11417464Abstract: Described herein are concepts, system and techniques which provide a means to construct robust high-field superconducting magnets using simple fabrication techniques and modular components that scale well toward commercialization. The resulting magnet assembly—which utilizes non-insulated, high temperature superconducting tapes (HTS) and provides for optimized coolant pathways—is inherently strong structurally, which enables maximum utilization of the high magnetic fields available with HTS technology. In addition, the concepts described herein provide for control of quench-induced current distributions within the tape stack and surrounding superstructure to safely dissipate quench energy, while at the same time obtaining acceptable magnet charge time. The net result is a structurally and thermally robust, high-field magnet assembly that is passively protected against quench fault conditions.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2021Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Commonwealth Fusion Systems LLCInventors: Brian Labombard, Robert S. Granetz, James Irby, Rui Vieira, William Beck, Daniel Brunner, Jeffrey Doody, Martin Greenwald, Zachary Hartwig, Philip Michael, Robert Mumgaard, Alexey Radovinsky, Syun'ichi Shiraiwa, Brandon N. Sorbom, John Wright, Lihua Zhou
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Publication number: 20210313104Abstract: Described herein are concepts, system and techniques which provide a means to construct robust high-field superconducting magnets using simple fabrication techniques and modular components that scale well toward commercialization. The resulting magnet assembly—which utilizes non-insulated, high temperature superconducting tapes (HTS) and provides for optimized coolant pathways—is inherently strong structurally, which enables maximum utilization of the high magnetic fields available with HTS technology. In addition, the concepts described herein provide for control of quench-induced current distributions within the tape stack and surrounding superstructure to safely dissipate quench energy, while at the same time obtaining acceptable magnet charge time. The net result is a structurally and thermally robust, high-field magnet assembly that is passively protected against quench fault conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2021Publication date: October 7, 2021Inventors: Brian Labombard, Robert S. Granetz, James Irby, Rui Vieira, William Beck, Daniel Brunner, Jeffrey Doody, Martin Greenwald, Zachary Hartwig, Philip Michael, Robert Mumgaard, Alexey Radovinsky, Syun'ichi Shiraiwa, Brandon N. Sorbom, John Wright, Lihua Zhou
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Patent number: 11094439Abstract: Described herein are concepts, system and techniques which provide a means to construct robust high-field superconducting magnets using simple fabrication techniques and modular components that scale well toward commercialization. The resulting magnet assembly—which utilizes non-insulated, high temperature superconducting tapes (HTS) and provides for optimized coolant pathways—is inherently strong structurally, which enables maximum utilization of the high magnetic fields available with HTS technology. In addition, the concepts described herein provide for control of quench-induced current distributions within the tape stack and surrounding superstructure to safely dissipate quench energy, while at the same time obtaining acceptable magnet charge time. The net result is a structurally and thermally robust, high-field magnet assembly that is passively protected against quench fault conditions.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2019Date of Patent: August 17, 2021Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Brian Labombard, Robert S. Granetz, James Irby, Rui Vieira, William Beck, Daniel Brunner, Jeffrey Doody, Martin Greenwald, Zachary Hartwig, Philip Michael, Robert Mumgaard, Alexey Radovinsky, Syun'ichi Shiraiwa, Brandon N. Sorbom, John Wright, Lihua Zhou
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Publication number: 20200402693Abstract: Described herein are concepts, system and techniques which provide a means to construct robust high-field superconducting magnets using simple fabrication techniques and modular components that scale well toward commercialization. The resulting magnet assembly—which utilizes non-insulated, high temperature superconducting tapes (HTS) and provides for optimized coolant pathways—is inherently strong structurally, which enables maximum utilization of the high magnetic fields available with HTS technology. In addition, the concepts described herein provide for control of quench-induced current distributions within the tape stack and surrounding superstructure to safely dissipate quench energy, while at the same time obtaining acceptable magnet charge time. The net result is a structurally and thermally robust, high-field magnet assembly that is passively protected against quench fault conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2019Publication date: December 24, 2020Inventors: Alexey RADOVINSKY, Brian LABOMBARD, Daniel BRUNNER, Robert S. GRANETZ, James IRBY, Rui VIEIRA, William BECK, Jeffrey DOODY, Martin GREENWALD, Zachary HARTWIG, Philip MICHAEL, Robert MUMGAARD, Syun'ichi SHIRAIWA, Brandon N. SORBOM, John WRIGHT, Lihua ZHOU
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Publication number: 20200402692Abstract: A system comprises a superconducting magnet comprising a coil of superconducting material. The coil includes two electrical terminals. The windings of the coil are separated by a metallic conductor. A control circuit is coupled to the two terminals to drive a current through the coil to charge the superconducting magnet and configured to provide a current through the coil that is sufficiently small to avoid a quenching effect of the superconducting magnet but also large enough to charge the magnet within a predetermined time period. A cooling structure is thermally coupled to the coil to remove heat caused by charging the superconducting magnet with the current to allow for the current to be sufficiently large to charge the magnet within the predetermined time period without causing the quenching effect.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2019Publication date: December 24, 2020Inventors: Daniel BRUNNER, Robert MUMGAARD
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Publication number: 20200211744Abstract: Described herein are concepts, system and techniques which provide a means to construct robust high-field superconducting magnets using simple fabrication techniques and modular components that scale well toward commercialization. The resulting magnet assembly—which utilizes non-insulated, high temperature superconducting tapes (HTS) and provides for optimized coolant pathways—is inherently strong structurally, which enables maximum utilization of the high magnetic fields available with HTS technology. In addition, the concepts described herein provide for control of quench-induced current distributions within the tape stack and surrounding superstructure to safely dissipate quench energy, while at the same time obtaining acceptable magnet charge time. The net result is a structurally and thermally robust, high-field magnet assembly that is passively protected against quench fault conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2018Publication date: July 2, 2020Inventors: Brian LABOMBARD, Robert GRANETZ, James IRBY, Rui VIEIRA, William BECK, Daniel BRUNNER, Jeffrey DOODY, Martin GREENWALD, Zachary HARTWIG, Philip MICHAEL, Robert MUMGAARD, Alexey RADOVINSKY, Syun'ichi SHIRAIWA, Brandon N. SORBOM, John WRIGHT, Lihua ZHOU