Magnetic coil system for plasma fusion power generators - uses symmetry to prevent large destructive magnetic forces when one supply fails

摘要

The magnetic coil system is for Tokomaks and Stellarators and other related plasma-physics equipment requiring large magnetic fields. It consists of separate coils supplied from two or more supplies and arranged so that all those coils connected to a given supply are essentially symmetrical with respect to the coil system as a whole. The advantage of this symmetry lies in avoiding the destructively large magnetic forces (c. 6x106 Newtons) that can be generated if one half or part of the supply fails. The supports for the coil assemblies do not therefore need to be so massive and expensive.