Abstract: A superconducting magnet system wherein a cryocooler provides refrigeration to a cryogenic shield for the superconducting magnet and a heat pipe extends from the cryogenic shield to a cryogen vessel for the provision of supplementary refrigeration.

Abstract: A method for operating a cryocooler which provides opportunity for timely intervention prior to failure thus enhancing the reliability of the provision of the refrigeration wherein temperature trending of at least one cryocooler component or the refrigeration load is monitored and used to calculate a service time.

Abstract: A cryocooler system having at least one flow straightener which has a system of grooves on its perforated surface for enhancing gas flow uniformity through the system wherein pulsing gas which does not initially pass through the flow straightener through a perforation flows along the surface of the flow straightener within a groove prior to passing through a perforation and is effectively redistributed across the surface of the flow straightener and thus the cross section of the regenerator or thermal buffer tube.

Abstract: A method for operating a cryocooler wherein some cryocooler working gas is diverted from the pressure wave pathway before passing to the cold portion of the cryocooler, passed to a getter for adsorptive cleaning of contaminants, and returned to the pressure wave pathway at a warm portion of the pressure wave pathway.

Abstract: A resonant linear motor driven cryocooler system, particularly suited for providing refrigeration to a magnetic resonance imaging system, wherein vibrations from the resonant linear motor and noise from pulsed gas are isolated from the cryocooler by work transfer piping comprising connecting tubing and preferably a dashpot, and wherein the connecting tubing has a volume which exceeds the internal stroke volume of the resonant linear motor.

Abstract: A pulse tube system for generating refrigeration for uses such as in magnetic resonance imaging systems wherein an oil-free compressor operating at a higher frequency generates pulsing gas which undergoes a frequency reduction and drives the pulse tube system at a more efficient lower frequency.

Abstract: A method of purifying a gas stream by removing oxygen from the gas stream in which the gas stream is introduced into a series of electrically driven oxygen separation zones that separate the oxygen from the gas stream. Each of the electrically driven oxygen separation zones has an electrolyte that conducts oxygen ions upon the application of the voltage to electrodes sandwiching the electrolyte. The voltage applied to each of the electrodes of the separation zones is selected such that an ionic current induced in the electrolyte within a particular zone that is no greater than a limiting current. When voltage is applied in such manner, the electrical power that is consumed is reduced over the power that would otherwise be consumed had a constant voltage been applied to all zones. The gas stream can be a crude argon stream obtained from a crude argon column or a crude nitrogen stream obtained from a pressure swing adsorption unit or a polymeric membrane unit.

Abstract: A cryocooler system having at least one flow straightener which has a system of grooves on its perforated surface for enhancing gas flow uniformity through the system wherein pulsing gas which does not initially pass through the flow straightener through a perforation flows along the surface of the flow straightener within a groove prior to passing through a perforation and is effectively redistributed across the surface of the flow straightener and thus the cross section of the regenerator or thermal buffer tube.

Abstract: A cryocooler assembly having a regenerator employing a plurality of high heat capacity screens positioned perpendicular to the regenerator longitudinal axis and in a sufficient linear density to serve as heat transfer media and also to serve as buffer structures to keep worm holes within particulate heat transfer media from forming and to reduce agglomeration of particles within the regenerator.

Abstract: A method for operating a cryocooler wherein some cryocooler working gas is diverted from the pressure wave pathway before passing to the cold portion of the cryocooler, passed to a getter for adsorptive cleaning of contaminants, and returned to the pressure wave pathway at a warm portion of the pressure wave pathway.

Abstract: A method for operating a cryocooler which provides opportunity for timely intervention prior to failure thus enhancing the reliability of the provision of the refrigeration wherein contaminant concentration downstream of a compressor but upstream of the cryocooler is monitored and the time rate of change of the contaminant concentration is used to calculate a service time.

Abstract: A method for operating a cryocooler which provides opportunity for timely intervention prior to failure thus enhancing the reliability of the provision of the refrigeration wherein contaminant concentration downstream of a compressor but upstream of the cryocooler is monitored and the time rate of change of the contaminant concentration is used to calculate a service time.

Abstract: A resonant linear motor driven cryocooler system, particularly suited for providing refrigeration to a magnetic resonance imaging system, wherein vibrations from the resonant linear motor and noise from pulsed gas are isolated from the cryocooler by work transfer piping comprising connecting tubing and preferably a dashpot, and wherein the connecting tubing has a volume which exceeds the internal stroke volume of the resonant linear motor.

Abstract: A method for operating a cryocooler which provides opportunity for timely intervention prior to failure thus enhancing the reliability of the provision of the refrigeration wherein temperature trending of at least one cryocooler component or the refrigeration load is monitored and used to calculate a service time.

Abstract: A pulse tube system for generating refrigeration for uses such as in magnetic resonance imaging systems wherein an oil-free compressor operating at a higher frequency generates pulsing gas which undergoes a frequency reduction and drives the pulse tube system at a more efficient lower frequency.

Abstract: A refrigeration generation system wherein a frequency modulating mechanical resonator is positioned between a pressure wave generator and a cryocooler and serves to reduce the frequency of the oscillating gas emanating from the pressure wave generator so that it more closely comports with a more efficient operating frequency of the cryocooler.

Abstract: Multicomponent refrigerant fluids for generating refrigeration, especially over a wide temperature range including cryogenic temperatures, which are advantageous over conventional refrigerant fluids especially for certain applications, and which are non-toxic, non-flammable and low or non-ozone-depleting and preferably are maintained in variable load form through compression, cooling, expansion and warming steps in a refrigeration cycle.

Abstract: A system for providing industrial gas to a use point in relatively small quantities that would otherwise require the use of high pressure gas cylinders, wherein industrial gas is generated from a feed, liquefied using refrigeration generated by a refrigeration system, and stored in a storage vessel prior to provision to the use point. The preferred refrigeration system is a pulse tube system powered by gas associated with the industrial gas generation system.

Abstract: A pulse tube refrigeration system wherein the pulse tube working gas is cooled to a defined first stage temperature and is brought to a defined second stage temperature by operation of a regenerator and pulse tube, which are in flow communication through a cold heat exchanger, prior to providing refrigeration to a high temperature superconductor.

Abstract: A method for refrigerating a high temperature superconducting device to maintain superconducting operating conditions wherein a first heat transfer means such as a first heat transfer fluid is cooled to a temperature greater than the temperature of saturated liquid nitrogen and is used for ambient heat intercept while a second heat transfer means such as a second heat transfer fluid is cooled to a temperature within the high temperature superconductivity temperature operating range to maintain superconducting operating conditions.