Experimental evaluation of design features of a cryostat for an iron-less COSθ- SSC magnet

A conceptual design for an iron-less cosθ SSC magnet cryostat has identified several areas for experimental study. Included are bowing of thermal radiation shields due to cooldown and warmup; thermal performance of the suspension systems; cryostat thermal performance; structural responses to decentering forces between the coil and the steel vacuum vessel; and response of thermal shields to forces due to quench induced eddy currents. Studies were carried out with 6m long thermal bowing and magnetic effects models, a suspension heat leak measurement dewar and a 12m long thermal model. The models incorporate important features of the conceptual cryostat design. The details of the test arrangements, procedures and results are presented.