SRF '21 Paper THPTEV012

SUBSTITUTION OF SPRING CLAMPS FOR BOLTS .

Download • 4.66MB

Hyperboloid LLC, in collaboration with Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, developed and tested a System of High Force Spring Clamps to replace traditional bolts on Superconducting Radio Frequency Cavity flanges. This system was designed to address particle generation during clean room assembly, which is primarily caused by bolt and nut fasteners. The clamps are constructed from 6Al4V Titanium and are engineered to exert substantial force, with Model 1 clamps generating over 1200 lbs each, sufficient to seal hard aluminum gaskets. The system incorporates hydraulic openers, with design features intended to contain any potential particle release. Performance tests showed that the clamps successfully established vacuum-tight seals, even under challenging conditions like superfluid helium at 2 Kelvin. Additionally, later tests with Model 2 clamps demonstrated significantly lower particle generation compared to bolting. The hydraulic operation of the clamp system also reduces the physical strain on assembly personnel and introduces potential for automation in sealing cavity strings.