Abstract: In a method and system for acquiring magnetic resonance image data from a subject, using a data acquisition unit in which a basic magnetic field is generated, a division is designated in a planar section through the subject that divides the planar section into a first section and a second section, with the homogeneity of the basic magnetic field being better in said first section than in said second section. An echo planar imaging sequence is implemented to acquire the magnetic resonance imaging data, with magnetic resonance data being acquired from the first section only from gradient echo signals in the echo planar imaging sequence, and magnetic resonance data from said the second section being acquired from both gradient echo signals and spin echo signals in the echo planar imaging sequence.

Abstract: A superconducting joint and a cooling surface are provided as a combination. The superconducting joint joins superconducting wires each comprising superconducting filaments electrically joined together. The cooling surface comprises a thermally and electrically conductive material. An electrically isolating surface coating is provided on the cooling surface. The superconducting joint, the surface coating and the cooling surface are in thermal contact. The superconducting joint is electrically isolated from the cooling surface by the surface coating. The tails of the superconducting wires are wrapped around the electrically isolating surface coating.

Abstract: A cylindrical superconducting magnet has a number of axially-aligned annular coils of superconducting wire, arranged for cooling by thermal conduction through a cooled surface in mechanical contact with the coils. The coils are provided with a cryogenic radiation shield located between respective radially inner surfaces of the coils and respective axes of the coils. The cryogenic radiation shield is formed of a metal layer in thermal contact with the cooled surface.

Abstract: An assembly has a two-stage cryogenic refrigerator and an associated mounting arrangement, and a sock having first and second stages corresponding to first and second stages of the refrigerator, with the first stage of the refrigerator being in thermal contact with the first stage of the sock and the second stage of the refrigerator being in thermal contact with the second stage of the sock.

Abstract: An arrangement for mounting a two stage cryogenic refrigerator (17) into a cryostat, the arrangement comprising a vacuum sock (15) for accommodating at least a part of the refrigerator, attachment means (32, 34) for attaching an upper part of the refrigerator to a surface (14) of the cryostat around an opening of the vacuum sock, a thermally conductive portion (26) of a wall of the vacuum sock which, in use, is thermally and mechanically in contact with a second cooling stage (24) of the refrigerator, and arrangements (40, 42) are provided for thermally connecting a first stage (22) of the refrigerator to a thermal radiation shield (16) of the cryostat.

Abstract: A bung assembly for closing an opening in a turret of a cryostat has a camera housing and bung body that is mechanically dimensioned to fit the opening, and is provided with a sealing arrangement for forming a gas-tight seal between the bung body and the turret.

Abstract: A superconducting joint and a cooling surface are provided as a combination. The superconducting joint joins superconducting wires each comprising superconducting filaments electrically joined together. The cooling surface comprises a thermally and electrically conductive material. An electrically isolating surface coating is provided on the cooling surface. The superconducting joint, the surface coating and the cooling surface are in thermal contact. The superconducting joint is electrically isolated from the cooling surface by the surface coating. The tails of the superconducting wires are wrapped around the electrically isolating surface coating.

Abstract: A superconducting magnet coil arrangement has multiple superconducting coils and at least one of the superconducting coils is provided with a secondary coil of insulated resistive wire mechanically attached to a surface of the superconducting coil.

Abstract: An MRI system has a cylindrical superconducting magnet assembly contained in a bore tube of a cylindrical vacuum vessel (OVC), and a gradient coil assembly situated within the OVC bore tube. In an imaging region within a bore of the gradient coil assembly, the magnet assembly produces a magnetic field that is subject to drift during operation of the MRI system. Compensating material is located at a radial position between the imaging region and the magnet in a location that will be heated over a range of temperatures during operation of the MRI system. The compensating material is adjustable between two magnetic phases in response to an applied physical characteristic, which is selectively applied thereto so as to change the compensating material from a first magnetization to a second magnetization, and thereby compensate the drift.

Abstract: A cryostat has a cryogen vessel retained within an outer vacuum container, the cryogen vessel being provided with a vent path allowing cryogen gas to escape from the cryogen vessel, the cryostat further having a thermal radiation shield interposed between the cryogen vessel and the outer vacuum container. The vent path is arranged such that escaping cryogen gas is directed through a conduit, which forms an integral part of a thermal radiation shield.

Abstract: In a superconducting magnet apparatus, at least one superconducting winding and an outer vacuum chamber are provided. A thermal radiation shield is located between the superconducting winding and the outer vacuum chamber. A cryogen vessel is positioned within the thermal radiation shield and within the outer vacuum chamber. The superconducting winding is positioned outside of the cryogen vessel. A refrigerator is operable to cool the cryogen vessel to a liquid cryogen temperature and to cool the at least one thermal radiation shield to an intermediate temperature between the liquid cryogen temperature and a temperature of the outer vacuum chamber. A substantial portion of an outer surface of the cryogen vessel has a thermal emissivity at the liquid cryogen temperature which is greater than an average surface emissivity of the superconducting winding by at least 0.1.

Abstract: In a cryostat, in particular for use in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, and a method for reducing heat input into such a cryostat, an insert is provided that is adapted to be inserted into an opening of the cryostat. The insert is adapted to provide one or more passageways for a cryogen through the opening by defining at least one space between the outer surface of the insert and at least one part of the inner surface of the opening. This space allows the cryogen to pass over the part of the inner surface of the opening.

Abstract: A mounting plate for locating under a superconducting magnet structure, between the superconducting magnet structure and a supporting surface of a mobile carrier, is controllable between two different states. In a first state, the mount provides rigid attachment and precise location of the superconducting magnet structure onto the supporting surface of the mobile carrier. In a second state, the mount provides vibration isolation between the superconducting magnet and the mobile carrier.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for maintaining operation of ancillary equipment associated with a superconducting magnet carrying a DC current, the DC current is directed through a DC-to-AC converter, and the magnitude of the current flowing through the superconducting magnet is ramped down at a controlled rate, thereby generating a controlled voltage across a controlled impedance, and powering the ancillary equipment by the controlled voltage and an associated current, and the ramping rate is controlled in order to maintain a required controlled voltage.

Abstract: In a cryogen cooling system for cooling a superconducting magnet, a cryogen vessel is linked to a cooling loop arrangement in thermal contact with the superconducting magnet. A recondensing chamber is arranged such that a lower extremity of the cryogen vessel is above a lower extremity of the recondensing chamber. A recondensing refrigerator is arranged to recondense cryogen gas within the recondensing chamber. A heater is positioned to heat gaseous cryogen within the recondensing chamber, and wherein the recondensing chamber is hydraulically connected to the cryogen vessel by a cryogen supply pipe. An upper end of the cryogen supply pipe is exposed to cryogen gas in the cryogen vessel and a lower end of cryogen supply pipe is exposed to an interior of the recondensing chamber towards or at its lower extremity.

Abstract: A cylindrical magnet assembly has at least one coil mounted on a former, assembled to a bore tube by a number of inserts within holes formed in a material of the former. Each insert can bear on a dished radially outer extremity of a radially-outwardly directed protrusion or each insert can bear on a radially outer concave surface of a radially-inwardly directed protrusion.

Abstract: A fully hydraulic edging system suitable for use in wide plate mills is disclosed. The need for electro-mechanical screws to effect large movements of the side rollers is avoided by employing a pull-back hydraulic cylinder for this purpose. The main hydraulic cylinders are switched to a non-operational mode during large movements thus avoiding the need for large volumes of hydraulic fluid to be transferred under high pressure.

Abstract: In a superconducting magnet apparatus, at least one superconducting winding and an outer vacuum chamber are provided. A thermal radiation shield is located between the superconducting winding and the outer vacuum chamber. A cryogen vessel is positioned within the thermal radiation shield and within the outer vacuum chamber. The superconducting winding is positioned outside of the cryogen vessel. A refrigerator is operable to cool the cryogen vessel to a liquid cryogen temperature and to cool the at least one thermal radiation shield to an intermediate temperature between the liquid cryogen temperature and a temperature of the outer vacuum chamber. A substantial portion of an outer surface of the cryogen vessel has a thermal emissivity at the liquid cryogen temperature which is greater than an average surface emissivity of the superconducting winding by at least 0.1.

Abstract: A superconducting magnet device and a magnetic resonance imaging system not only avoid the need for costly aluminum alloy formers but also lower quench pressure effectively, have a baffle covering the former and the coil, with a gap between the baffle and the coil.

Abstract: A superconducting electromagnet comprising coils of superconducting wire bonded to a support structure, and wherein heating elements are provided in thermal contact with the support structure for heating the support structure.