CRYOGENIC SKIRT SUPPORT POST

The Gold masses of cryostats having vertical axes, like vertical press ure vessels, can be effectively supported by means of a cylindrical sk irt that wraps concentrically around the cold mass. The skirt is a cry ogenic support post connected at its upper end to the cold mass and at its lower end to the cryostat vacuum vessel. A heat intercept connect ion to an intermediate temperature refrigeration source can be employe d to control heat leak. The support post consists of a composite; e.g. epoxy fibreglass, or cylinder with bolted or thermal interference fit end connections. The support post, being a single element support, si mplifies cryostat assembly and alignment. The composite cylinder, with a relatively large diameter, lends itself to structural soundness and stability under both static and dynamic loading conditions. its relat ively long length and intermediate temperature heat intercept allows l ow heat leak to the cold mass. The details of the design of a cryogeni c skirt support post as applied to a superconducting magnetic energy s torage cryostat are presented. Included are support post fabrication, cryostat assembly, and predicted structural and thermal performance. F abrication of and operational experiences with a prototype support pos t assembly are discussed.