Optimization of COMPASS-U Support Structure

0572121 - ÚFP 2024 RIV US eng J - Journal Article
Fang, J. - Šesták, David - Ficker, Ondřej - Titus, P. - Vondráček, Petr
Optimization of COMPASS-U Support Structure.
IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science. Roč. 50, č. 11 (2022), s. 4318-4323. ISSN 0093-3813. E-ISSN 1939-9375
Institutional support: RVO:61389021
Keywords : Compass Upgrade (COMPASS-U) * optimization * sliding joint * support structure * toroidal field (TF) coil
OECD category: Fluids and plasma physics (including surface physics)
Impact factor: 1.5, year: 2022
Method of publishing: Limited access
https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9946975

The global support structure for Compass Upgrade (COMPASS-U) employs many bolted and pinned components to improve the manufacturability of the whole structures. This is a departure from other designs used for highly loaded tokamaks, like Alcator C-Mod which used large forgings. Modeling of the numerous connections and interfaces was a challenge. This article will describe how to optimize the C-frame support structure with the goal to eliminate differential displacements at those interfaces and, importantly, minimize toroidal mutual displacement at the sliding joint of the toroidal field (TF) coils. The global support structure consists of 16 C-frames, and it can be simplified as a 1/8th cyclic symmetry model due to the eight vertical rods mounting that connect bottom CS and PF1-3 assemblies to the C-frames. Structure variants with different connection webs between two neighboring C-frames have been analyzed. The preloading of bolts can be split into several preload substeps to simulate the real assembly process of the COMPASS-U support structure. The TF crown and the wedge plate can be further improved to become a solid part to better hold the TF coils.
Permanent Link: https://hdl.handle.net/11104/0342949