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We report quench test results for the 1-meter long, 120 mm aperture Nb3Sn quadrupole magnet, HQ01, designed, fabricated and tested for the LHC Accelerator Research Program (LARP). The magnet has a design gradient of 219 T/m at 1.9 K and peak field of \sim15 T. Earlier tests (HQ01a, b) showed peak gradients of 152 T/m at 4.4 K but also revealed electrical insulation weaknesses that ultimately led to coil damage. Structural and electrical improvements incorporated into HQ01c magnet have assured and tracked the electrical integrity of the coils. The most recent HQ01d and HQ01e tests demonstrated gradients of 170 T/m at 4.4 K (86% of short sample critical current) with moderate training. By analyzing magnet voltage test data, quench propagation velocities and quench locations were determined. Most of the quenches tended to cluster around the pole region of the coils. Eight PC-board quench antennas were installed to better identify quench locations. We monitored longitudinal propagation of pole-turn quenches and correlated inductive responses of the quench antennas with magnet voltages. On down-ramps, the HQ magnet exhibited no quenches at rates up 150 A/s; the experimental ramp-rate dependence was analyzed using a simple ‘loss model’. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In the past two years the US LARP program carried out five tests on a quadrupole magnet aimed at the high luminosity upgrade of Large Hadron Collider (HiLumi-LHC). The 1-meter long, 120 mm bore \ Nb3{\ {Sn}} IR quadrupole magnet (HQ) with a short sample gradient of 219 T/m at 1.9 K and a conductor peak field of 15 T is part of the US LHC Accelerator Research Program (LARP). In a series of tests, carried out at 4.4 K, the magnet reached a maximum “short-sample” performance of 86%. The tests exposed several shortcomings that are now being addressed in a Research & Development program. This paper summarizes the magnet test results, reveals findings, R&D actions and future improvements. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

As part of the effort towards the development of Nb3Sn magnets for future LHC luminosity upgrades, the LHC Accelerator Research Program (LARP) has fabricated and tested the quadrupole magnet LQS01. The magnet implements 3.4 m long Nb3Sn coils contained in a support structure characterized by an external aluminum shell segmented in four sections. The room temperature pre-load of the structure is obtained by shimming load keys through bladders, pressurized during the loading operations and removed before cool-down. Temperature compensated strain gauges, mounted on structure components and coil poles, monitor the magnet's mechanical behavior during assembly, cool-down and, excitation. During the first test, LQS01 reached the target gradient of 200 T/m; the gauge data indicated that the aluminum shell was pre-tensioned to the target value estimated by numerical models, but a lack of pre-load was measured in the coil inner layer during ramping. As a result, the test was interrupted and the magnet disassembled, and inspected. A second test (LQS01b) was then carried out following a re-loading of the magnet. The paper reports on the strain gauge results of the first test and the analysis performed to identify corrective actions to improve the coil pre-stress distribution. The mechanical performance of the magnet during the second cool-down and test is then presented and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In support of the luminosity upgrade of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), the US LHC Accelerator Research Program (LARP) has been developing a 1-meter long, 120 mm bore Nb3Sn IR quadrupole magnet (HQ). With a short sample gradient of 219 T/m at 1.9 K and a conductor peak field of 15 T, the magnet will operate under higher forces and stored-energy levels than that of any previous LARP magnet models. In addition, HQ has been designed to incorporate accelerator quality features such as precise coil alignment and adequate cooling. The first 6 coils (out of the 8 fabricated so far) have been assembled and used in two separate tests—HQ01a and HQ01b. This paper presents design parameters, summary of the assemblies, the mechanical behavior as well as the performance of HQ01a and HQ01b. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on the fabrication, assembly, and test of the Nb3 Sn dipole magnet HD2. The magnet, aimed at demonstrating the application of Nb3 Sn superconductor in high field accelerator-type dipoles, features a 36 mm clear bore surrounded by block-type coils with tilted ends. The coil design is optimized to minimize geometric harmonics in the aperture and the magnetic peak field on the conductor in the coil ends. The target bore field of 15 T at 4.3 K is consistent with critical current measurements of extracted strands. The coils are horizontally pre-stressed during assembly using an external aluminum shell pre-tensioned with water-pressurized bladders. Axial pre-loading of the coil ends is accomplished through two end plates and four aluminum tension rods. The strain in coil, shell, and rods is monitored with strain gauges during assembly, cool-down and magnet excitation, and compared with 3D finite element computations. Magnet's training performance, quench locations, and ramp-rate dependence are then analysed and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of tests has been performed at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) and Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL) with the goal of assessing the influence of coil axial pre-load on Nb3 Sn magnet training. The tests involved two subscale Nb3 Sn magnets: SQ02, a quadrupole magnet fabricated as part of the US LHC Accelerator Research Program (LARP), and SD01, a dipole magnet developed in collaboration between CEA/Saclay and LBNL. Both magnets used similar Nb3 Sn flat racetrack coils from LBNL Subscale Magnet Program, and implemented an axial support system composed of stainless steel end-plates and aluminum rods. The system was designed to withstand full longitudinal electro-magnetic forces and provide controllable preloads. Quench performances, training, and quench locations have been recorded in various axial loading conditions. Test results are reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Superconducting Magnet Program at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) is continuing the development of HD2, a 1 m long Nb3 Sn dipole generating a dipole field of 15 T in a 36 mm clear bore. With tilted (flared) ends to avoid obstructing the beam path, HD2 represents a step towards the development of high field and cost effective accelerator quality magnets. The design has been optimized to minimize geometric harmonics and to address iron saturation and conductor magnetization effects. The support structure is based on an external aluminum shell, pre-tensioned with pressurized bladders and interference keys. Aluminum axial rods and stainless steel end plates provide longitudinal support to the coil ends during magnet excitation. This paper reports on field quality optimization and magnet parameters. The design and fabrication of the coil and structure components, and results from coil winding, reaction, and potting are also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A second phase of a high field dipole technology development has been tested. A Nb3Sn block-coil model dipole was fabricated, using magnetic mirror geometry and wind/react coil technology. The primary objective of this phase was to make a first experimental test of the stress-management strategy pioneered at Texas A&M. In this strategy a high-strength support matrix is integrated with the windings to intercept Lorentz stress from the inner winding so that it does not accumulate in the outer winding. The magnet attained a field that was consistent with short sample limit on the first quench; there was no training. The decoupling of Lorentz stress between inner and outer windings was validated. In ramp rate studies the magnet exhibited a remarkable robustness in rapid ramping operation. It reached 85 % of short sample(ss) current even while ramping 2–3 T/s. This robustness is attributed to the orientation of the Rutherford cables parallel to the field in the windings, instead of the transverse orientation that characterizes common dipole designs. Test results are presented and the next development phase plans are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As part of a collaboration between CEA/Saclay and the Superconducting Magnet Group at LBNL, a subscale dipole structure has been developed to study training in Nb3Sn coils under variable pre-stress conditions. This design is derived from the LBNL Subscale Magnet and relies on the use of identical Nb3Sn racetrack coils. Whereas the original LBNL subscale magnet was in a dual bore ‘common-coil’ configuration, the new subscale dipole magnet (SD) is assembled as a single bore dipole made of two superposed racetrack coils. The dipole is supported by a new mechanical structure developed to withstand the horizontal and axial Lorentz forces and capable of applying variable vertical, horizontal and axial preload. The magnet was tested at LBNL as part of a series of training studies aiming at understanding of the relation between pre-stress and magnet performance. Particular attention is given to the coil ends where the magnetic field peaks and stress conditions are the least understood. After a description of SD design, assembly, cool-down and tests results are reported and compared with the computations of the OPERA3D and ANSYS magnetic and mechanical models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Development of high-performance Nb3Sn quadrupoles is one of the major goals of the LHC Accelerator Research Program (LARP). As part of this program, long racetrack magnets are being made in order to check that the change in coil length that takes place during reaction is correctly accounted for in the quadrupole design and to check for length effects in implementing the ‘shell’ method of coil support. To check the racetrack magnet manufacturing plan, a short racetrack magnet is being made. This magnet will be the first to use restack-rod process Nb3Sn, making it a ‘long sample’ test vehicle for this new material. The paper reports the reaction and characterization of the Nb3Sn, and construction features and test results from the short racetrack magnet. The paper also reports on the status of the construction of the first long racetrack magnet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As part of the LHC Accelerator Research Program (LARP), three US national laboratories (BNL, FNAL, and LBNL) are currently engaged in the development of superconducting magnets for the LHC Interaction Regions (IR) beyond the current design. As a first step towards the development of long Nb3Sn quadrupole magnets, a 3.6 m long structure, based on the LBNL Subscale Common-Coil Magnet design, will be fabricated, assembled, and tested with aluminum-plate ‘dummy coils’. The structure features an aluminum shell pre-tensioned over iron yokes using pressurized bladders and locking keys (bladder and key technology). Pre-load homogeneity and mechanical responses are monitored with pressure sensitive films and strain gauges mounted on the aluminum shell and the dummy coils. The details of the design and fabrication are presented and discussed, and the expected mechanical behavior is analysed with finite element models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The US LHC Accelerator Research Program (LARP) is developing Nb3Sn accelerator magnets for a possible LHC luminosity upgrade. As part of the LARP supporting R&D, a subscale racetrack quadrupole magnet (SQ) has been developed in order to provide a cost effective tool for technology development studies. The first magnet (SQ01), reported earlier, was tested as a proof-of-principle model that applied for the first time LBNL shell-based loading structure to Nb3Sn racetrack coils in a quadrupole configuration. The new loading structure, pre-loaded with water-pressurized bladders and keys, provided predictable and controllable pre-stress to four subscale racetrack coils, both in the end region and across the straight section. A second magnet (SQ02) has been recently completed, with the goal of assessing the conductor performance and the influence of the coil axial support on training. SQ02 implements four new coils wound around aluminum bronze islands and instrumented with voltage taps and spot heaters, in order to monitor quench locations and propagation velocities. This paper reports the SQ02 test results, including magnet quench performance with respect to short sample expectations, training history, and quench locations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a first step toward the development of a large-aperture Nb3Sn superconducting quadrupole for the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) luminosity upgrade, two-layer technological quadrupole models (TQS01 at LBNL and TQC01 at Fermilab) are being constructed within the framework of the US LHC Accelerator Research Program (LARP). Both models use the same coil design, but have different coil support structures. This paper describes the TQC01 design, fabrication technology and summarizes its main parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The US LHC Accelerator Research Program (LARP) is developing Nb3Sn accelerator magnet technology for the LHC luminosity upgrade. Two 90 mm ‘Technology Quadrupole’ models (TQS01, TQC01) are being developed in close collaboration between LBNL and FNAL, using identical coil design, but two different support structures. The TQS01 structure was developed and tested at LBNL. With this approach coils are supported by an outer aluminum shell and assembled using keys and bladders. In contrast, the second model TQC01, utilize stainless steel collars and a thick stainless steel skin. This paper describes the TQS01 model magnet, its 3D ANSYS stress analysis, and anticipated instrumentation and assembly procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After the fabrication and test of HD1, a 16 T Nb3Sn dipole magnet based on fiat racetrack coil configuration, the Superconducting Magnet Program at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) is developing the Nb3Sn dipole HD2. With a dipole field above 15 T, a 35 mm clear bore, and nominal field harmonics within a fraction of one unit, HD2 represents a further step towards the application of block-type coils to high-field accelerator magnets. The design features tilted racetrack-type ends, to avoid obstructing the beam path, and a 4 mm thick stainless steel tube, to support the coil during the pre-loading operation. The mechanical structure, similar to the one used for HD1, is based on an external aluminum shell pre-tensioned with pressurized bladders. Axial rods and stainless steel plates provide longitudinal support to the coil ends during magnet excitation. A 3D finite element analysis has been performed to evaluate stresses and deformations from assembly to excitation, with particular emphasis on conductor displacements due to Lorentz forces. Numerical results are presented and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]