Abstract: A thermal management system is provided that includes a cold-head cryocooler and a cooling jacket. The cold-head cryocooler is configured to be operably coupled to a helium vessel of an MRI system, and is configured to cool at least one of superconducting magnets or a thermal shield of the MRI system. The cooling jacket has an outer surface defining a sleeve exterior, and includes a pathway disposed radially internally of the sleeve exterior defined by the cooling jacket. The cooling jacket is configured to receive boil-off gas from the helium vessel to be circulated through the pathway to cool the cold-head cryocooler.

Abstract: A retractable lead system is provided that includes a cup, a spherical contact, and a plunger. The cup is disposed proximate a vacuum end of the retractable lead system, and defines a cavity and a contact reception seat. The contact reception seat defines a spherical portion having a contact reception spherical radius. The spherical contact is disposed within the contact reception seat, and defines a contact spherical radius that corresponds to the contact reception spherical radius. The spherical contact is configured to be electrically coupled to an interior lead disposed within a vacuum environment. The plunger includes an ambient contact and a retractable contact disposed on opposite ends of the plunger. The plunger is configured to be actuated between an open position at which the retractable contact is retracted from the spherical contact and a closed position at which the retractable contact is coupled with the spherical contact.

Abstract: A cooling system includes a first cooling loop containing a first cryogen, the first cooling loop being in thermal communication with a superconducting magnet and being configured to provide primary cooling for the magnet and a second cooling loop also containing the first cryogen. The second cooling loop is in thermal communication with an enclosure containing a second cryogen and is configured to cool the second cryogen within the enclosure. The enclosure is in thermal communication with the superconducting magnet and is configured to provide secondary cooling for the magnet.

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 containing a first cryogen, the first cooling loop being in thermal communication with a superconducting magnet and being configured to provide primary cooling for the magnet and a second cooling loop also containing the first cryogen. The second cooling loop is in thermal communication with an enclosure containing a second cryogen and is configured to cool the second cryogen within the enclosure. The enclosure is in thermal communication with the superconducting magnet and is configured to provide secondary cooling for the magnet.

Abstract: A cooling system includes a first cooling loop containing a first cryogen, the first cooling loop being in thermal communication with a superconducting magnet and being configured to provide primary cooling for the magnet and a second cooling loop also containing the first cryogen. The second cooling loop is in thermal communication with an enclosure containing a second cryogen and is configured to cool the second cryogen within the enclosure. The enclosure is in thermal communication with the superconducting magnet and is configured to provide secondary cooling for the magnet.

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 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 containing a first cryogen, the first cooling loop being in thermal communication with a superconducting magnet and being configured to provide primary cooling for the magnet and a second cooling loop also containing the first cryogen. The second cooling loop is in thermal communication with an enclosure containing a second cryogen and is configured to cool the second cryogen within the enclosure. The enclosure is in thermal communication with the superconducting magnet and is configured to provide secondary cooling for the magnet.

Abstract: A suspension system for a cryostat includes a coupling mechanism, a fixation body, and a pin. The coupling mechanism is joined to an outer vessel and coupled with a strap. The fixation body is joined to an inner vessel. The fixation body extends between a front side that faces the coupling mechanism and an opposite receiving side with an interior channel extending from the receiving side to the front side. The channel defines a front opening in the front side and a rear opening in the receiving side. The pin is loaded into the fixation body through the rear opening in the receiving side of the fixation body with the strap looped around the pin and extending through the front opening to the coupling mechanism. The pin secures the coupling mechanism to the fixation body via the strap by engaging the fixation body inside the channel.

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 suspension system for a cryostat includes a coupling mechanism, a fixation body, and a pin. The coupling mechanism is joined to an outer vessel and coupled with a strap. The fixation body is joined to an inner vessel. The fixation body extends between a front side that faces the coupling mechanism and an opposite receiving side with an interior channel extending from the receiving side to the front side. The channel defines a front opening in the front side and a rear opening in the receiving side. The pin is loaded into the fixation body through the rear opening in the receiving side of the fixation body with the strap looped around the pin and extending through the front opening to the coupling mechanism. The pin secures the coupling mechanism to the fixation body via the strap by engaging the fixation body inside the channel.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a variable cooling capacity cryocooler for a superconducting magnetic resonance imaging device having a liquid cryogen pressure vessel to provide cryogenic temperatures to a magnet assembly, a vacuum vessel surrounding the pressure vessel and a radiation shield spaced from the cryogen pressure vessel, and a pressure sensor positioned inside the cryogen pressure vessel pressure boundary for sensing pressure variations. A controller for varying the heat removal rate of the cryocooler based on the pressure variations in the cryogen pressure vessel and where the cooling capacity of the cryocooler is adjusted by modifying the speed of the electric power drive (DC or AC motors) or by changing the mechanical transmission ratio between the constant speed electric power drive and the cryocooler displacer/piston to adjust the cooler oscillating frequency of the gas flow.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a variable cooling capacity cryocooler for a superconducting magnetic resonance imaging device having a liquid cryogen pressure vessel to provide cryogenic temperatures to a magnet assembly, a vacuum vessel surrounding the pressure vessel and a radiation shield spaced from the cryogen pressure vessel, and a pressure sensor positioned inside the cryogen pressure vessel pressure boundary for sensing pressure variations. A controller for varying the heat removal rate of the cryocooler based on the pressure variations in the cryogen pressure vessel and where the cooling capacity of the cryocooler is adjusted by modifying the speed of the electric power drive (DC or AC motors) or by changing the mechanical transmission ratio between the constant speed electric power drive and the cryocooler displacer/piston to adjust the cooler oscillating frequency of the gas flow.

Abstract: A slotted window collector assembly for an x-ray tube having an anode and a cathode includes a collector having an anode side and a cathode side, which opposes the anode side. The anode side and the cathode side define an internal bore there between for receiving x-rays from the anode. The slotted collector further includes a window side common to both the anode side and the cathode side and having a window coupled thereto, wherein a window aperture is defined extending from the window to the internal bore. Within the collector assembly, a slot is defined intersecting the window aperture and extending trans-axially thereto and beyond a set length. The slot also extends circumferentially with the window such that plastic strain on the window and heat transferred to the window are reduced.

Abstract: A slotted window collector assembly for an x-ray tube having an anode and a cathode includes a collector having an anode side and a cathode side, which opposes the anode side. The anode side and the cathode side define an internal bore there between for receiving x-rays from the anode. The slotted collector further includes a window side common to both the anode side and the cathode side and having a window coupled thereto, wherein a window aperture is defined extending from the window to the internal bore. Within the collector assembly, a slot is defined intersecting the window aperture and extending trans-axially thereto and beyond a set length. The slot also extends circumferentially with the window such that plastic strain on the window and heat transferred to the window are reduced.