The curve of the inner walls of a superconducting cylinder is plotted from the flux lines of the magnetic field to be contained. This shaping reduces maximum flux densities and permits a stronger and more uniform magnetic field

Hildebrandt, A. F.

Wahlquist, H.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

May 1964	 Brief 63-10238 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
This NASA Tech Brief is issued by the Technology Utilization Division to acquaint industry 
with the technical content of an innovation derived from the NASA space program. 
Shaped Superconductor Cylinder Retains Intense Magnetic Field 
Superconducting Cylinder
Coating 
\ \\\ 
Flux Line on which 
Curve is Based  
---	 . 
- 
- —
Uniform Field 
The problem: Containing a large uniform magnetic 
field in a superconducting cylinder when the field 
is intense enough to cause the ends of the cylinder to 
become nonsuperconducting. When a superconduct-
ing cylinder is filled with an axial magnetic field, 
a very intense field occurs near the ends of the cylinder. 
This magnetic field may be more intense than the 
critical field of the superconductor and results in the 
cylinder ends becoming nonsuperconducting. If the 
cylinder is constructed with thin walls, the entire 
cylinder may become nonsuperconducting, allowing 
only a small field to be trapped by the cylinder. 
The solution: Shaping a superconductor cylinder 
so that the curve of the inner walls reduces maximum 
flux densities and thus permits a stronger and more 
uniform magnetic field.
How it's done: The inner walls of the cylinder are 
flared near the top and bottom to join smoothly 
with the end surfaces, and are coated with a thin 
superconducting material. The curve of the inner sur-
face is developed from a plot of the flux lines of 
the field that must be contained in the working 
volume. The flux line chosen as a guide for the curve 
is a compromise between maximum field strength 
of working volume and length of the cylinder. A 
large uniform magnetic field having a predictable 
configuration can be contained in a superconducting 
cylinder of this design. 
The curve selected for the cylinder in the illustration 
approximately follows the outer flux line that was 
considered to be the best compromise among the 
criteria used in the selection process.
(continued overleaf) 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States Govern-
ment, nor NASA, nor any person acting on behalf of NASA: A. Makes 
any warranty or representation, express or implied, with respect to the 
accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of the information contained in
this document, or that the use of any information, apparatus, method, 
or process disclosed in this document may not infringe privately-owned 
ri g hts or B. Assumes any liabilities with respect to the use of, or for 
damages resulting from the use of, any information, apparatus, method, 
or process disclosed in this document.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19630000031 2020-03-11T16:46:06+00:00Z
Notes 
1. This innovation will be useful in the production 
of larger, more homogeneous magnetic fields in 
superconducting cylinders and should prove to be 
of value in experimentation or for further analysis. 
2. It will increase the capacity of superconducting 
cylinders to store magnetic fields of uniform cross-
section and would be useful in equipment requiring 
magnetic instrumentation.
For further information about this innovation 
inquiries may be directed to: 
Technology Utilization Officer 
Jet Propulsion Laboratory 
4800 Oak Grove Drive 
Pasadena, California, 91103 
Reference: B63-10238 
Patent status: NASA encourages commercial use 
of this innovation. No patent action is contemplated. 
Source: A. F. Hildebrandt and Hugo Wahiquist 
(JPL-38l) 
Brief 63-10238


Shaped superconductor cylinder retains intense magnetic field

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