Mechanical Design of the ZR Magnetically Insulated Transmission Lines

The ZR upgrade to the Z accelerator at Sandia National Laboratories will replace much of the power flow components. The single most massive of these components is the 1.6 meter diameter, four-feed MITL system. This 14.5 Ton assembly transports electromagnetic energy from the vacuum interface to the load. The MITLs must cany 30 MA total with 99% reliability. Optimum performance requires careful control of the transmission line gaps. The MITLs must support the load while maintaining strict gap tolerance under their own weight and the weight of diagnostic assemblies. Dynamically they must be robust enough to withstand accelerations and impacts similar if not greater than those on Z today. Stress and deflection calculations will be shown for the self-deflection, diagnostic loading, and dynamic motion present in the system. The MITLs are built in multiple annular sections to reduce cost and allow replacement of damaged pieces. Reliable power delivery demands that the multi-piece MITLs be joined with current-carrying contacts that do not introduce plasma or neutrals into the power flow gap. The design of the ZR MITL system and the design of the various current contacts will be shown. The current contacts were designed to maintain a continuous static pressure on soft copper gaskets to achieve intimate conductor contact. Testing on Z will be done in order to validate FEA pressure calculations as well as the current contact concept itself.