Design and fabrication of liquid nitrogen thermal shields for the MFTF yin-yang magnets

This paper documents the design and fabrication of thin liquid nitrogen-cooled panels installed on the 340-ton MFTF yin-yang superconducting magnet system. The 344 panels are made of polished 316-L stainless steel with the pillowed fluid channels formed by inflation with a high pressure gas. Strict leak-rate limits required the manufacturer to thermal shock the panels with LN2 and then vacuum leak check them with He. The thin-walled panel supports are made from an epoxy base, fiberglass composite which is reliable at cryogenic vacuum conditions. Quick and reliable welding of the manifold system was assured using a pair of automated tube welders on the more than 4000 feet of tubing and 1000 butt-weld fittings. To assure sufficient flow for single-phase LN2 flow conditions, we performed a hydraulic network flow analysis. This allowed for some optimization of shield-inlet-flow conditions and manifold design. To verify operating fluid pressure and temperature, special pressure transducers and platinum resistance thermometers capable of operation at cryogenic conditions in a vacuum, high magnetic field, and long-term neutron bombardment were installed. Final assembly is complete. The final installation on the magnet was difficult due to the orientation of the magnet assembly and the restricted access to some installation surfaces