Abstract: The present invention provides a sensor for detecting the build up of frozen deposits in a cryogen vessel housing a superconducting magnet, comprising a tensioned wire, a source of variable frequency alternating current and a voltage sensor. The tensioned wire is oriented perpendicular to the direction of the stray magnetic field produced by the superconducting magnet. By varying the frequency of the applied current, the resonant frequency of the tensioned wire may be detected as the frequency at which the voltage across the wire is a maximum. Any variation in the frequency or magnitude of the resonant peak may be interpreted as an indication of a frozen deposit hampering the free oscillation of the tensioned wire.

Abstract: A support system comprising a number of racetrack-shaped tensile support bands (22) held in tension between a supported article and a supporting article, respective curved end portions of each tensile support band being retained by respective mounting points (30) mounted on respective surfaces of the supported article and the supporting article, respectively. At least one of the tensile support bands is arranged so that the curved end portions lie in a plane substantially parallel to the surface upon which the respective mounting point is mounted; and at least one mounting point is a monolithic mounting point having a curved surface (32) which is complementary to an inner curved surface of an end of the tensile support band.

Abstract: A portable MRI or NMR imaging system comprising a cryogen vessel housing cooled equipment, said system being housed within a transportable container, said container being divided into at least three sections. A first section provides accommodation for an operator and access to equipment as required to operate the cooled equipment. A second section houses the cryogen vessel. A third section houses auxiliary equipment required for operation of the cooled equipment but which is not required to be accessed by the operator to operate the equipment. Also provided is a cryostat comprising an outer vacuum container, itself housing a cryogen vessel for containing cooled equipment, wherein space between the cryogen vessel and the outer vacuum container is evacuated. The outer vacuum container is in the form of at least a section of a standard shipping container.

Abstract: A superconducting magnet assembly comprising a superconducting magnet (1) which, under working conditions, generates a magnetic field in a working volume, the superconducting magnet being connected in parallel with a series combination of a superconducting fault current limiter (7) and a resistor (5). The magnet is further connected in parallel to a DC power source (4) whereby under working conditions, the magnet can be energised by the power source to generate a desired magnetic field in the working volume.