Abstract: A cryostat cooled by a pulse tube refrigerator and containing electrically powered equipment, wherein an electrical conductor is provided to the electrically powered equipment, said electrical conductor being in thermal and mechanical contact with one or more of the tubes of the pulse tube refrigerator.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for producing hyperpolarized samples for use in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are provided. The apparatus comprises an ultra-compact cryogen-free cryostat structure for use in polarizing a sample of selected material, wherein the cryostat structure comprises a central bore being adapted to be evacuated to create a vacuum region, and a cooling device inserted in the central bore or optionally close to the central bore for maintaining a selected temperature of the sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pulse tube refrigerators for recondensing cryogenic liquids. In particular, the present invention relates to the same for magnetic resonance imaging systems. In many cryogenic applications components, e.g. superconducting coils for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), superconducting transformers, generators, electronics, are cooled by keeping them in contact with a volume of liquified gases (e.g. Helium, Neon, Nitrogen, Argon, Methane . . . ). Any dissipation in the components or heat getting into the system causes the volume to part boil off. To account for the losses, replenishment is required. This service operation is considered to be problematic by many users and great efforts have been made over the years to introduce refrigerators that recondense any lost liquid right back into the bath. The present invention addresses the problems arising from convection which occurs within a pulse tube refrigerator. The invention provides.

Abstract: The present provides a cryogenic thermal battery arrangement for maintaining a superconducting magnet coil or similar apparatus at cryogenic temperature for a required shipping period, such as thirty days, without consuming a significant amount of costly cryogen. According to another aspect, the invention allows extended shipping periods without incurring excessive costs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pulse tube refrigerators for recondensing cryogenic liquids. In particular, the present invention relates to the same for magnetic resonance imaging systems. In many cryogenic applications components, e.g. superconducting coils for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), superconducting transformers, generators, electronics, are cooled by keeping them in contact with a volume of liquified gases (e.g. Helium, Neon, Nitrogen, Argon, Methane . . . ). Any dissipation in the components or heat getting into the system causes the volume to part boil off. To account for the losses, replenishment is required. This service operation is considered to be problematic by many users and great efforts have been made over the years to introduce refrigerators that recondense any lost liquid right back into the bath. The present invention addresses the problems arising from convection which occurs within a pulse tube refrigerator. The invention provides.

Abstract: A pulse tube refrigerator (1) comprises one or more stages (7, 10). Each stage comprises a pulse tube (5, 8) and a regenerative heat exchanger (6, 9), the heat exchanger comprising a foam matrix material (16).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cooling system for a cryostat incorporating a pulse tube refrigerator 8. The cryostat usually consists of several interior cylindrical or oval-shaped vessels for storing liquids. The cryostat for MRI/NMR applications and related fields usually comprises an outer vacuum case, a nitrogen can or a radiation shield instead, and a further radiation shield and the helium vessel housing 4 the superconducting magnet 2. The magnet usually is made of NbTi, Nb3Sn, or some HTC conductor or a combination of both. The present invention uses a pulse tube refrigerator 8, the so-called pulse tube cooler, which essentially comprises an empty tube and a further tube housing the regenerator material for the cooler, which is inserted into any opening of a cryostat. The opening is defined as e.g. the neck-tube 6 or any other location required for accessing the cryostat, e.g.

Abstract: Cryostat systems comprise first and second liquid interconnected helium baths, and a magnet structure which is immersed in one of the baths. The liquid helium is cooled by means of a pumped refrigeration means. The pumped refrigeration means is replaced with a pulse tube refrigerator which can be located directly within the two baths. The pulse tube refrigerator has a “cold finger” having cold and warm ends. The cold end extracts into the bath housing the coil structure and has heat exchange connected thereto. The pulse tube refrigerator can also serve to cool the radiation shields.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cooling system for cryostats or transport containers for liquids incorporating a PTR cooler. The cryostat usually consists of several interior cylindrical or otherwise shaped vessels for storing liquids. In particular, the cryostat for NMR applications and related fields usually comprises an outer vacuum case, sometimes also a nitrogen can, as well as one or several radiation shields and the helium vessel housing the superconducting magnet whereas the latter usually is made of NbTi, Nb3Sn, and/or some HTC conductor. It is the aim of the present invention to use a pulse tube cooler by incorporation into an NMR cryostat via an opening, an opening refers to the neck tube itself or to any other means for accessing the cryostat for filling or for energising the magnet or acting conjointly as a pressure relief tube or/and as a drainage outlet e.g.

Abstract: In an NMR magnet system for generating a highly homogeneous magnetic field of high field strength, with at least one superconducting magnet coil which is arranged in a first chamber of a cryostat in supercooled liquid helium at a temperature of less than 4.2K, with the cryostat having at least one further chamber containing liquid helium that is essentially at atmospheric pressure with a temperature of approximately 4.2K, the first chamber is connected to the further chamber in such a way that the supercooled liquid helium located in the first chamber is also essentially at atmospheric pressure. A refrigerator with which the liquid helium can be cooled to a temperature T<<4.2K, especially to T.apprxeq.1.8-2.3K, is provided in the first chamber.