Thermal contact resistance for a Cu/G-10CR interface in a cylindrical geometry

Patrick Phelan, Ralph C. Niemann, Tom H. Nicol

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

A major component of a high-T C superconductor current lead designed to provide current to Iow-T C superconductor magnets is the heat intercept connection, which is a cylindrical structure consisting of an inner Cu disk, a thin-walled G-10CR composite tube, and an outer Cu ring, assembled by a thermal-interference fit. It was determined in a previous study that the thermal contact resistance (R C) between the composite tube and the two Cu pieces contributed a substantial portion of the total thermal resistance between the inner and outer Cu pieces. The present report emphasizes the analysis of the data for the third and final design of the heat intercept connection. In particular, it is found that R C decreases dramatically with increasing heat flux, a result consistent with earlier studies of composite cylinders. However, for the present data, the thermal contact conductance (= 1/R C) varies with the calculated contact pressure with a power-law exponent of approximately 10, as compared to a theoretical value near 1. In addition, the presence of He or N 2 gas substantially reduces R C, even though the contacting surfaces are coated with a thermal grease.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationAmerican Society of Mechanical Engineers, Heat Transfer Division, (Publication) HTD
Pages185-191
Number of pages7
Volume327
StatePublished - 1996

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Fluid Flow and Transfer Processes
  • Mechanical Engineering

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