Magnetic to kinetic energy conversion following structural failure

A magnet failure which is potentially catastrophic in the sense that structural components fracture and the winding suffers extensive plastic deformation can be "safe" under special conditions. It may be desirable to limit operating current densities to levels at which the winding could act to limit magnetic to kinetic energy conversion. A solenoid model was used to analyze and determine the important governing parameters in the failure and discharge process. The conclusions are: (a) A protective circuit reaction involving resistive dissipation following a major structural failure is unlikely to be effective on a fast enough time scale in high current density windings. (b) Windings with low enough current densities can absorb the total load following structural failure, thus limiting the kinetic energy conversion process, although this might involve substantial yielding and deformation of the winding. (c) Protective circuits involving inductive energy transfer can respond fast enough to limit the kinetic energy conversion process in high or low current density configurations and are effective provided they are well coupled to the primary circuit.