Multilayer insulation for the interconnect region in the Accelerator System String Test: A practical engineering approach for a new scheme of design and installation bridges

In order to minimize the heat leak in the Accelerator System String Test (ASST) interconnect region, shield bridges and multilayer insulation (MLI) are provided. A sliding joint between shield bridges on adjacent magnets accommodates the contraction that occurs during cooldown. In the original design of the MLI bridges, thermal contraction was provided for by compressing the MLI. During assembly of the interconnect region, it was realized that there was not enough room for the required compression. This resulted in a redesign of the MLI bridges. The new scheme involves splitting and overlapping the MLI. This scheme has worked very well in subsequent assembly of the interconnect region. In this paper, we are going to present the new design scheme. We will also compare this design with the original design and present its advantages.