Abstract: A superconducting machine system includes a superconducting machine that includes a composite structure. The superconducting machine system also includes a thermal shield encompassing the superconducting machine. The superconducting machine system further includes a vacuum vessel wall encompassing the thermal shield. The superconducting machine system still further includes a shroud encompassing the superconducting machine, wherein the thermal shield encompasses the shroud. The superconducting machine system also includes a mechanical vacuum pump located outside the vacuum vessel wall that is coupled to the shroud via piping, wherein the shroud and the mechanical vacuum pump are configured to capture and to remove outside the vacuum vessel wall outgassing gases released from the superconducting machine and the composite structure during a quench event.

Abstract: A superconducting electrical system includes a superconducting electrical machine comprising a superconducting magnet, a main cryogenic vessel containing a main cryogen and encompassing the superconducting magnet, and a vacuum vessel encompassing the main cryogenic vessel. A supplemental cooling system is inside the vacuum vessel and comprises a supplemental heat sink and. a gas gap heat switch configured to alternately thermally connect the supplemental heat sink to a component of the superconducting electrical machine and thermally isolate the supplemental heat sink from the component of the superconducting electrical machine. The supplemental cooling system is configured to supplement cooling of the superconducting electrical machine by the main cryogenic vessel to expedite cooling of the component of the superconducting electrical machine.

Abstract: A superconducting electrical system includes a superconducting electrical machine comprising a superconducting magnet, a main cryogenic vessel containing a main cryogen and encompassing the superconducting magnet, and a vacuum vessel encompassing the main cryogenic vessel. A supplemental cooling system is inside the vacuum vessel and comprises a supplemental heat sink and. a gas gap heat switch configured to alternately thermally connect the supplemental heat sink to a component of the superconducting electrical machine and thermally isolate the supplemental heat sink from the component of the superconducting electrical machine. The supplemental cooling system is configured to supplement cooling of the superconducting electrical machine by the main cryogenic vessel to expedite cooling of the component of the superconducting electrical machine.

Abstract: A superconducting magnet system includes a coil support structure having a body, a superconducting magnet having a plurality of coils disposed about the body, and a helium vessel encompassing the coil support structure and the superconducting magnet. The superconducting magnet system includes a cooling system that includes a network of tubes disposed within the helium vessel and configured to transport helium within, wherein the network of tubes is retroactively thermally coupled to the plurality of coils. The cooling system includes a liquid helium storage system located within the helium vessel and a helium recondenser located outside the helium vessel. The cooling system includes one or more tubes coupling the helium storage system to the helium recondenser, wherein where the one or more tubes pass through the helium vessel is retroactively vacuum sealed to make the helium vessel a sealed helium vessel.

Abstract: A superconducting machine system includes a superconducting electrical machine and a cryogenic vessel encompassing the superconducting electrical machine. The superconducting machine system includes a ramp lead assembly disposed within a vacuum vessel wall and having a first end and a second end. The first end of the ramp lead assembly is coupled in a fixed manner to the vacuum vessel wall and the second end is coupled to a high temperature superconductor power lead coupled to the superconducting switch. The ramp lead assembly includes a non-conductive support and a metal rod. The ramp lead assembly includes a thermal storage device coupled to the metal rod. The thermal storage device is configured to store heat, to limit heat transfer along the metal rod, and to limit an increase in temperature along the ramp lead assembly during the energization of the superconducting electrical machine.

Abstract: A superconducting magnet assembly is provided. The magnet assembly includes a magnet and a switch assembly coupled to the magnet. The switch assembly includes a thermosyphon tube configured to carry cryogen therethrough, a switch, a first pressure valve, and a second pressure valve. The switch is configured to switch between a resistive mode and a superconducting mode, wherein the switch is in thermal contact with the thermosyphon tube. The first pressure valve and the second pressure valve are positioned on the thermosyphon tube and configured to control flow of the cryogen in the thermosyphon tube, and the switch is positioned between the first pressure valve and the second pressure valve. The magnet is configured to generate a polarizing magnetic field based on switching of the switch between the resistive mode and the superconducting mode.

Abstract: A superconducting magnet assembly is provided. The magnet assembly includes a magnet and a switch assembly coupled to the magnet. The switch assembly includes a thermosyphon tube configured to carry cryogen therethrough, a switch, a first pressure valve, and a second pressure valve. The switch is configured to switch between a resistive mode and a superconducting mode, wherein the switch is in thermal contact with the thermosyphon tube. The first pressure valve and the second pressure valve are positioned on the thermosyphon tube and configured to control flow of the cryogen in the thermosyphon tube, and the switch is positioned between the first pressure valve and the second pressure valve. The magnet is configured to generate a polarizing magnetic field based on switching of the switch between the resistive mode and the superconducting mode.

Abstract: A superconducting magnet system includes a coil support structure having a body, a superconducting magnet having a plurality of coils disposed about the body, and a helium vessel encompassing the coil support structure and the superconducting magnet. The superconducting magnet system includes a cooling system that includes a network of tubes disposed within the helium vessel and configured to transport helium within, wherein the network of tubes is retroactively thermally coupled to the plurality of coils. The cooling system includes a liquid helium storage system located within the helium vessel and a helium recondenser located outside the helium vessel. The cooling system includes one or more tubes coupling the helium storage system to the helium recondenser, wherein where the one or more tubes pass through the helium vessel is retroactively vacuum sealed to make the helium vessel a sealed helium vessel.

Abstract: A superconducting magnet assembly is provided. The magnet assembly includes a magnet configured to generate a polarizing magnetic field, a thermosyphon tube, a main tank, and a metering tank. The thermosyphon tube is in thermal contact with the magnet, the thermosyphon tube configured to carry cryogen therethrough and cool the magnet via the cryogen. The metering tank contains the cryogen and is coupled with the main tank, and the main tank has an interior volume greater than an interior volume of the metering tank, The thermosyphon tube is coupled with the main tank at a first end of the thermosyphon tube and coupled with the metering tank at a second end of the thermosyphon tube, the second end opposite the first end, and the thermosyphon tube and the metering tank define a path along which the cryogen flows.

Abstract: A superconducting magnet assembly is provided. The magnet assembly includes a magnet configured to generate a polarizing magnetic field, a thermosyphon tube, a main tank, and a metering tank. The thermosyphon tube is in thermal contact with the magnet, the thermosyphon tube configured to carry cryogen therethrough and cool the magnet via the cryogen. The metering tank contains the cryogen and is coupled with the main tank, and the main tank has an interior volume greater than an interior volume of the metering tank, The thermosyphon tube is coupled with the main tank at a first end of the thermosyphon tube and coupled with the metering tank at a second end of the thermosyphon tube, the second end opposite the first end, and the thermosyphon tube and the metering tank define a path along which the cryogen flows.

Abstract: A superconducting magnet assembly is provided. The magnet assembly includes a magnet and a switch assembly coupled to the magnet. The switch assembly includes a thermosyphon tube configured to carry cryogen therethrough, a switch, a first pressure valve, and a second pressure valve. The switch is configured to switch between a resistive mode and a superconducting mode, wherein the switch is in thermal contact with the thermosyphon tube. The first pressure valve and the second pressure valve are positioned on the thermosyphon tube and configured to control flow of the cryogen in the thermosyphon tube, and the switch is positioned between the first pressure valve and the second pressure valve. The magnet is configured to generate a polarizing magnetic field based on switching of the switch between the resistive mode and the superconducting mode.

Abstract: A superconducting magnet assembly is provided. The magnet assembly includes a magnet configured to generate a polarizing magnetic field, a thermosyphon tube, a main tank, and a metering tank. The thermosyphon tube is in thermal contact with the magnet, the thermosyphon tube configured to carry cryogen therethrough and cool the magnet via the cryogen. The metering tank contains the cryogen and is coupled with the main tank, and the main tank has an interior volume greater than an interior volume of the metering tank, The thermosyphon tube is coupled with the main tank at a first end of the thermosyphon tube and coupled with the metering tank at a second end of the thermosyphon tube, the second end opposite the first end, and the thermosyphon tube and the metering tank define a path along which the cryogen flows.

Abstract: A superconducting magnet assembly is provided. The magnet assembly includes a magnet and a switch assembly coupled to the magnet. The switch assembly includes a thermosyphon tube configured to carry cryogen therethrough, a switch, a first pressure valve, and a second pressure valve. The switch is configured to switch between a resistive mode and a superconducting mode, wherein the switch is in thermal contact with the thermosyphon tube. The first pressure valve and the second pressure valve are positioned on the thermosyphon tube and configured to control flow of the cryogen in the thermosyphon tube, and the switch is positioned between the first pressure valve and the second pressure valve. The magnet is configured to generate a polarizing magnetic field based on switching of the switch between the resistive mode and the superconducting mode.

Abstract: A dual-purpose displacer for adjusting a liquid cryogen level in a cryostat, the dual-purpose displacer includes a displacer wall having an exterior displacer surface and an interior displacer surface. The interior displacer surface defines a displacing chamber configured to contain a first portion of liquid cryogen. The exterior displacer surface is configured to displace a second portion of liquid cryogen contained in a cryogenic chamber of the cryostat. The dual-purpose displacer is disposed within the cryogenic chamber of the cryostat and configured to transfer the first portion of liquid cryogen contained within the displacing chamber to the cryogenic chamber.

Abstract: A dual-purpose displacer for adjusting a liquid cryogen level in a cryostat, the dual-purpose displacer includes a displacer wall having an exterior displacer surface and an interior displacer surface. The interior displacer surface defines a displacing chamber configured to contain a first portion of liquid cryogen. The exterior displacer surface is configured to displace a second portion of liquid cryogen contained in a cryogenic chamber of the cryostat. The dual-purpose displacer is disposed within the cryogenic chamber of the cryostat and configured to transfer the first portion of liquid cryogen contained within the displacing chamber to the cryogenic chamber.