Abstract: A method of manufacturing a lead assembly of a cryogenic system is provided. The method includes developing a three-dimensional (3D) model of a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger includes a plurality of channels extending longitudinally through the heat exchanger from the first end to the second end, the plurality of channels forming a plurality of thermal surfaces within the heat exchanger, the heat exchanger having a transverse cross section. The method further includes modifying the 3D model by at least one of reducing an area of the cross section and increasing the plurality of thermal surfaces. The method also includes additively manufacturing the heat exchanger using an electrically-conductive and thermally-conductive material according to the modified 3D model. Further, the method includes providing a high temperature superconductor (HTS) assembly that includes an HTS strip, and connecting the HTS assembly to the heat exchanger at the second end of the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a lead assembly of a cryogenic system is provided. The method includes developing a three-dimensional (3D) model of a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger includes a plurality of channels extending longitudinally through the heat exchanger from the first end to the second end, the plurality of channels forming a plurality of thermal surfaces within the heat exchanger, the heat exchanger having a transverse cross section. The method further includes modifying the 3D model by at least one of reducing an area of the cross section and increasing the plurality of thermal surfaces. The method also includes additively manufacturing the heat exchanger using an electrically-conductive and thermally-conductive material according to the modified 3D model. Further, the method includes providing a high temperature superconductor (HTS) assembly that includes an HTS strip, and connecting the HTS assembly to the heat exchanger at the second end of the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system may include a magnet, one or more gradient power amplifiers, one or more radio frequency (RF) power amplifiers, and a single power supply configured to provide power to each of the magnet, the one or more gradient power amplifiers, and the one or more RF power amplifiers.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging system includes at least one gradient coil, at least one coil former, a thermal shield assembly, and at least one linking member. The at least one gradient coil generates at least one gradient field along at least one direction in response to pulsed signals. The at least one coil former is attached with at least one coil. The thermal shield assembly is arranged adjacent to the at least one coil former. The at least one linking member is configured for increasing mechanical rigidity of the thermal shield assembly by mechanically linking at least a part of the thermal shield assembly with the at least one coil former. As a result, mechanical vibrations of the thermal shield assembly can be reduced.

Abstract: A system and method for magnetic field distortion compensation includes a cryostat for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. The cryostat includes a vacuum casing having a vacuum therein. A cryogen vessel is disposed within the casing, the vessel having a coolant therein. A thermal shield is disposed between the vacuum casing and the cryogen vessel. An eddy current compensation assembly is disposed within the casing. The eddy current compensation assembly includes a plurality of electrically conductive loops formed on one of the vacuum casing, the cryogen vessel, and the thermal shield and constructed to mitigate vibration-induced eddy currents in the MRI system.

Abstract: A superconducting magnet cooling system is disclosed. The superconducting magnet cooling system includes a superconducting magnet; a liquid cryogen vessel for cooling the superconducting magnet; a heat exchanger device in fluid communication with the liquid cryogen vessel; a cryorefrigerator for heat exchange with the heat exchanger device; and a flexible connection device having high thermal conductivity and thermally connecting the cryorefrigerator and the heat exchanger device to provide vibration isolation of the cryorefrigerator from the heat exchange device.

Abstract: A control system for a superconducting magnet includes an electrically conductive lead having a first end electrically coupled to the superconducting magnet, at least one of a main power supply, a shimming power supply and a discharge module electrically coupled to a second end of the lead, and a controller in communication with the at least one of the main power supply, the shimming power supply and the discharge module. The controller is configured to monitor at least one magnet parameter value indicative of a state of the superconducting magnet and to automatically control operation of the at least one of the main power supply, the shimming power supply and the discharge module when the magnet parameter value crosses a predetermined threshold value prior to a quench.

Abstract: A system for energizing a main coil of superconducting magnet in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system includes a cryostat comprising a housing. A first coil is positioned within the housing of the cryostat. Alternatively, the first coil may be positioned external to the housing of the cryostat. A second coil is coupled to the first coil and positioned external to the housing of the cryostat. The second coil is configured to inductively couple to the main coil. A controller is coupled to the first coil and the second coil and is configured to control the first coil and the second coil to induce current in the main coil.

Abstract: A coil support arrangement for a Magnetic Resonance Imaging System and method of support are provided. One coil support arrangement includes a main former body having a plurality of channels between end flanges and a splint coupled to the main former body between the end flanges. The coil support arrangement also includes a load spreader coupled to the main former body adjacent one or more of the ends of the splint, and having a gap between the one or more ends of the splint and the load spreader.

Abstract: A method involves filling a hydrogen-lean molten material in a crucible and closing a lid of the crucible and then feeding a first quantity of a compressed dry gas via the crucible to form a dry gas blanket on a surface of the hydrogen-lean molten material. The method further involves feeding a second quantity of the compressed dry gas to a mold assembly to purge the mold assembly and transferring the hydrogen-lean molten material via an opening of the lid of the crucible to a mold cavity of the mold assembly. The method further involves cooling the hydrogen-lean molten material to form a casting.

Abstract: A system and method for magnetic field distortion compensation includes a cryostat for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. The cryostat includes a vacuum casing having a vacuum therein. A cryogen vessel is disposed within the casing, the vessel having a coolant therein. A thermal shield is disposed between the vacuum casing and the cryogen vessel. An eddy current compensation assembly is disposed within the casing. The eddy current compensation assembly includes a plurality of electrically conductive loops formed on one of the vacuum casing, the cryogen vessel, and the thermal shield and constructed to mitigate vibration-induced eddy currents in the MRI system.

Abstract: A control system for a superconducting magnet includes an electrically conductive lead having a first end electrically coupled to the superconducting magnet, at least one of a main power supply, a shimming power supply and a discharge module electrically coupled to a second end of the lead, and a controller in communication with the at least one of the main power supply, the shimming power supply and the discharge module. The controller is configured to monitor at least one magnet parameter value indicative of a state of the superconducting magnet and to automatically control operation of the at least one of the main power supply, the shimming power supply and the discharge module when the magnet parameter value crosses a predetermined threshold value prior to a quench.

Abstract: A cooling system includes a first cooling loop having a first cooling fluid configured for circulation therethrough and a second cooling loop having a second cooling fluid configured for circulation therethrough. The first cooling loop is in thermal communication with the superconducting magnet and is configured to provide primary cooling for the magnet, and the second cooling loop is in thermal communication with the superconducting magnet and is configured to provide secondary cooling for the magnet.

Abstract: A cooling system for a low-cryogen superconducting magnet includes a primary cooling loop having a liquid reservoir containing a supply of liquid cryogen and a plurality of cooling tubes fluidly coupled to the liquid reservoir and in thermal communication with the superconducting magnet. The liquid cryogen is configured for circulation through the cooling tubes for providing primary cooling for the magnet for cooling the magnet to a target temperature. The cooling system also includes a thermal battery coupled to a component that is cooled to the target temperature by the primary cooling loop and is configured to be cooled by the primary cooling and to absorb heat from the at least one component during an interruption in the primary cooling to maintain the magnet at approximately the target temperature.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system may include a magnet, one or more gradient power amplifiers, one or more radio frequency (RF) power amplifiers, and a single power supply configured to provide power to each of the magnet, the one or more gradient power amplifiers, and the one or more RF power amplifiers.

Abstract: A system and method for magnetic field distortion compensation includes a cryostat for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. The cryostat includes a vacuum casing having a vacuum therein. A cryogen vessel is disposed within the casing, the vessel having a coolant therein. A thermal shield is disposed between the vacuum casing and the cryogen vessel. An eddy current compensation assembly is disposed within the casing. The eddy current compensation assembly includes a plurality of electrically conductive loops formed on one of the vacuum casing, the cryogen vessel, and the thermal shield and constructed to mitigate vibration-induced eddy currents in the MRI system.

Abstract: A magnet apparatus for a magnetic resonance imaging system, the magnet apparatus includes a vacuum vessel, a helium vessel disposed within the vacuum vessel and a thermal shield disposed between the vacuum vessel and the helium vessel. A set of passive compensation coils are disposed within the vacuum vessel or the helium vessel and used to compensate for magnetic field distortion caused by mechanical vibrations within the magnet apparatus.

Abstract: A magnet apparatus for a magnetic resonance imaging system, the magnet apparatus includes a cylindrical vacuum vessel, a closed loop cooling system disposed within the vacuum vessel and a cylindrical thermal shield disposed between the vacuum vessel and the closed loop cooling system. A set of passive compensation coils are disposed within the vacuum vessel and used to compensate for magnetic field distortion caused by mechanical vibrations within the magnet apparatus.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging system includes at least one gradient coil, at least one coil former, a thermal shield assembly, and at least one linking member. The at least one gradient coil generates at least one gradient field along at least one direction in response to pulsed signals. The at least one coil former is attached with at least one coil. The thermal shield assembly is arranged adjacent to the at least one coil former. The at least one linking member is configured for increasing mechanical rigidity of the thermal shield assembly by mechanically linking at least a part of the thermal shield assembly with the at least one coil former. As a result, mechanical vibrations of the thermal shield assembly can be reduced.

Abstract: A thermal shield for a superconducting magnet includes a shield body having an annular shape. The shield body includes a material having a thermal conductivity greater than about 1000 W/m·K at about 70K.