CONCEPT, CALCULATION AND DESIGN OF THE INSULATION GAP IN THE VACUUM VESSEL OF ASDEX UPGRADE

The insulation flange of the vacuum vessel of ASDEX Upgrade has to meet high requirements. It has to provide electrical insulation and transmit strong mechanical forces at the same time. This paper describes the design of the insulation gap, calculates the forces in the critical case and reports the tests for selecting suitable materials and production methods. The critical load occurs when the atmospheric pressure and the electromagnetic forces occurring on disruption are superposed.