Abstract: A superconducting magnet assembly is provided. The superconducting magnet assembly includes a superconducting magnet configured to generate a static magnetic field, an iron shield configured to shield the superconducting magnet, and a magnetic gradient coil assembly configured to generate a gradient magnetic field. The superconducting magnet assembly further includes one or more magnetic lamination elements disposed on the iron shield to reduce eddy current induced by the gradient magnetic field in the iron shield. A method is also presented.

Abstract: A superconducting magnet system includes a coil support structure, superconducting coils, and electrically and thermally conductive windings. The superconducting coils and the conductive windings are supported by the coil support structure. Each conductive winding is electromagnetically coupled with a corresponding superconducting coil. Each conductive winding is electrically shorted.

Abstract: A superconducting magnet assembly includes a bobbin comprising a central bore along a longitudinal direction, and a superconducting coil package wound on the bobbin. The superconducting coil package includes a plurality of superconducting coil layers wound on the bobbin, a plurality of supporting member layers, each of the supporting member layers being between a corresponding two adjacent superconducting coil layers, and a thermal conduction layer between two superconducting coil layers or between a superconducting coil layer and an adjacent supporting member layer.

Abstract: A superconducting magnet assembly is provided. The superconducting magnet assembly includes a superconducting magnet configured to generate a static magnetic field, an iron shield configured to shield the superconducting magnet, and a magnetic gradient coil assembly configured to generate a gradient magnetic field. The superconducting magnet assembly further includes one or more magnetic lamination elements disposed on the iron shield to reduce eddy current induced by the gradient magnetic field in the iron shield. A method is also presented.

Abstract: A superconducting magnet includes at least one superconducting coil and a quench protection circuit electrically coupled to said at least one coil in parallel. The circuit includes at least one quench heater assembly thermally coupled to the at least one coil, and at least one superconducting current limiter electrically connected in series with the at least one quench heater assembly. The superconducting current limiter has a superconducting state with zero resistance, and a normal state with a normal resistance to decrease an electric current flowing through the quench heater assembly.

Abstract: A current lead assembly includes a current lead having an end, at least one heat station thermally coupled to the end, a cryogen-flow path extending through the heat station and comprising at least one connection, and a cryogen generation source fluidly coupled to the cryogen-flow path through the connection.

Abstract: A magnet assembly is provided. The magnet assembly comprises a magnet configured to generate a magnetic field and an iron shield configured to shield the magnet. The magnet assembly further comprises one or more positive temperature coefficient heaters disposed on the iron shield and configured to stabilize temperature of the iron shield. An iron shield assembly and a method for temperature control of the magnet assembly are also presented.

Abstract: A system and method for a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging system includes a coil form, at least one magnet positioned about the coil form and configured to generate a magnetic field, at least one gradient coil for manipulating the magnetic field generated by the at least one magnet by way of a gradient field, and a heat pipe thermally connected to the coil form and having a cryogen therein. The MR imaging system also includes a cryocooler connected to the heat pipe to cool the heat pipe and the cryogen, wherein the coil form is comprised of a thermally conductive material in which eddy currents are substantially reduced during operation of the at least one gradient coil. The present invention has been described in terms of the preferred embodiment, and it is recognized that equivalents, alternatives, and modifications, aside from those expressly stated, are possible and within the scope of the appending claims.

Abstract: A cryogenic system for a superconducting magnet comprises a closed-loop cooling path. The closed-loop cooling path comprises a magnet cooling tube thermally coupled to the superconducting magnet. The magnet cooling tube comprises a cryogen flow passage. The closed-loop cooling tube further comprises a re-condenser is fluidly coupled to the magnet cooling tube through tube sections and a liquid cryogen container fluidly coupled between the magnet cooling tube and the re-condenser. At least one gas tank is fluidly coupled to the magnet cooling tube through a connection tube.

Abstract: A superconducting magnet apparatus that in one embodiment includes at least one superconducting coil and a passive quench protection circuit electrically coupled to the coil in parallel. The circuit includes a heater and a current limiter connected in series. The heater is thermally coupled to the coil and the current limiter blocks current through the circuit at a current lower than the current rating of the heater.

Abstract: A system and method for a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging system includes a coil form, at least one magnet positioned about the coil form and configured to generate a magnetic field, at least one gradient coil for manipulating the magnetic field generated by the at least one magnet by way of a gradient field, and a heat pipe thermally connected to the coil form and having a cryogen therein. The MR imaging system also includes a cryocooler connected to the heat pipe to cool the heat pipe and the cryogen, wherein the coil form is comprised of a thermally conductive material in which eddy currents are substantially reduced during operation of the at least one gradient coil. The present invention has been described in terms of the preferred embodiment, and it is recognized that equivalents, alternatives, and modifications, aside from those expressly stated, are possible and within the scope of the appending claims.

Abstract: A multi-layered support structure of an open magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, configured to provide high permeability to a magnetic flux from a source of a magnetic field, includes a first multi-layered support structure, a second multi-layered support structure and at least one third support structure, connecting the first multi-layered support structure and the second multi-layered structure.

Abstract: A technique is provided for manufacturing a support structure for a source of magnetic field in a magnetic resonance imaging system. The technique includes assembling a plurality of layers of a material permeable to magnetic field to form a first support structure, assembling a plurality of layers of a material permeable to magnetic field to form a second support structure, providing at least one of a plate and a post made of a material permeable to magnetic field to form a third support structure, and assembling the first support structure, the second support structure and the third support structure. The first support structure is associated with the second support structure through the third support structure.

Abstract: A magnet assembly for a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system includes a vacuum vessel including an inner cylinder, an outer cylinder and a pair of tapered flanges connecting the inner and outer cylinders. The inner cylinder is made of a composite material. The outer cylinder and flanges are composed of several magnetic segments that provide a magnetic flux return path with low eddy currents. The segments are bonded together and electrically insulated from each other. A container, a thermal shield and a superconducting magnet coil assembly are disposed within the vacuum vessel. The superconducting magnet coil assembly includes a non-conductive cylindrical structure and superconducting coils. A thermally conductive cable is wrapped around the cylindrical structure and coils to form a thermally conductive envelope.

Abstract: A system and method for a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging system includes a coil form, at least one magnet positioned about the coil form and configured to generate a magnetic field, at least one gradient coil for manipulating the magnetic field generated by the at least one magnet by way of a gradient field, and a heat pipe thermally connected to the coil form and having a cryogen therein. The MR imaging system also includes a cryocooler connected to the heat pipe to cool the heat pipe and the cryogen, wherein the coil form is comprised of a thermally conductive material in which eddy currents are substantially reduced during operation of the at least one gradient coil. The present invention has been described in terms of the preferred embodiment, and it is recognized that equivalents, alternatives, and modifications, aside from those expressly stated, are possible and within the scope of the appending claims.

Abstract: A multi-layered support structure of an open magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, configured to provide high permeability to a magnetic flux from a source of a magnetic field, includes a first multi-layered support structure, a second multi-layered support structure and at least one third support structure, connecting the first multi-layered support structure and the second multi-layered structure.

Abstract: A multi-layered support structure of an open magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, configured to provide high permeability to a magnetic flux from a source of a magnetic field, includes a first multi-layered support structure, a second multi-layered support structure and at least one third support structure, connecting the first multi-layered support structure and the second multi-layered structure.