Assembly of a Mechanical Model of MQXFB, the 7.2-m-Long Low-<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\beta$</tex-math> </inline-formula> Quadrupole for the High-Luminosity LHC Upgrade

Abstract

The Nb 3 Sn low-β quadrupole MQXF is being developed as a part of the High-Luminosity LHC upgrade project. The magnet will be produced in two different configurations, sharing the same cross-section but with different lengths. A 7.2 m mechanical model of MQXFB was recently assembled at CERN with one copper coil, two low-grade coils and one rejected coil. Coil dimensions were measured with a portable Coordinate Measurement Machine. The coil pack shimming was designed in order to optimize the field quality and the contacts between the coils and the collars. The azimuthal preload target was defined using the short models experience. The mechanical behavior during loading was monitored by means of strain gauges. The results demonstrated that the structure can provide the required prestress to the coils.

A methodology for the analysis of the three-dimensional mechanical behavior of a Nb3Sn superconducting accelerator magnet during a quench

“…Both two-dimensional and three-dimensional mechanical models were developed for MQXF well before this work (see figure 7), and extensively validated during the test campaign of short model magnets [79][80][81][82][83][84][85][86][87][88]. Structural elements are used to mesh the different magnet components, where the geometry of the conductor blocks (composed of many cable turns) is simplified as a homogenized solid volume.…”