Abstract: A quench protection apparatus includes a number N of superconducting coils and a heater matrix. The number N of superconducting coils are electrically coupled in series. The heater matrix module includes the number N of heater units. The number N of heater units is electrically coupled in parallel with the number N of superconducting coils respectively. A number M of the heater units each includes at least the number N of heaters. Each superconducting coil is thermally coupled with at least one heater of each of the number M of the heater units. The number of N-M of the heater units each includes at least one heater. Each of the number M of superconducting coils correspondingly coupled with the number M of the heater units is thermally coupled with at least one heater of each of the number N-M of the heater units. A superconducting magnet system protected by above quench protection apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A quench protection apparatus includes a number N of superconducting coils and a heater matrix. The number N of superconducting coils are electrically coupled in series. The heater matrix module includes the number N of heater units. The number N of heater units is electrically coupled in parallel with the number N of superconducting coils respectively. A number M of the heater units each includes at least the number N of heaters. Each superconducting coil is thermally coupled with at least one heater of each of the number M of the heater units. The number of N-M of the heater units each includes at least one heater. Each of the number M of superconducting coils correspondingly coupled with the number M of the heater units is thermally coupled with at least one heater of each of the number N-M of the heater units. A superconducting magnet system protected by above quench protection apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: The present application and the resultant patent provide a superconducting electrical machine. The superconducting electrical machine may include an armature coil made of a high temperature superconducting material, a cooling system, and a field coil. The cooling system may include a cryostat surrounding the armature coil and a foam insulation surrounding the cryostat.

Abstract: The present application and the resultant patent provide a superconducting electrical machine. The superconducting electrical machine may include an armature coil made of a high temperature superconducting material, a cooling system, and a field coil. The cooling system may include a cryostat surrounding the armature coil and a foam insulation surrounding the cryostat.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, an electromechanical device includes a rotor having a rotational axis, and a stator disposed about the rotor. The stator may include a circumferentially laminated section comprising a plurality of circumferential segments disposed one after another in a circumferential direction relative to the rotational axis. The stator also may include a radially laminated section comprising a plurality of radial segments disposed one after another in a radial direction relative to the rotational axis. In addition, the stator may include an axially laminated section comprising a plurality of axial segments disposed one after another in an axial direction relative to the rotational axis.

Abstract: An open magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device is provided with at least one main coil for generating a magnetic field for imaging a volume, and at least one shaping coil. The at least one shaping coil is positioned relative to the at least one main coil to shape the magnetic field in the volume.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, an electromechanical device includes a rotor having a rotational axis, and a stator disposed about the rotor. The stator may include a circumferentially laminated section comprising a plurality of circumferential segments disposed one after another in a circumferential direction relative to the rotational axis. The stator also may include a radially laminated section comprising a plurality of radial segments disposed one after another in a radial direction relative to the rotational axis. In addition, the stator may include an axially laminated section comprising a plurality of axial segments disposed one after another in an axial direction relative to the rotational axis.

Abstract: A cold mass for a superconducting magnet system in one example comprises a superconducting magnet, a cryogenic cooling circuit, and a magnet and cooling circuit support. The magnet and cooling circuit support comprises a substantially conductive coupler in a discrete path that serves to couple the superconducting magnet and the cryogenic cooling circuit.

Abstract: A cold mass for a superconducting magnet system in one example comprises a superconducting magnet, a cryogenic cooling circuit, and a magnet and cooling circuit support. The magnet and cooling circuit support comprises a substantially conductive coupler that serves to couple the superconducting magnet and the cryogenic cooling circuit. The cryogenic cooling circuit comprises an inlet path and a substantially upward outlet path. The inlet path avoids direct conductive thermal engagement with the substantially conductive coupler. The substantially upward outlet path comprises direct conductive thermal engagement with the substantially conductive coupler.

Abstract: A Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system having a vacuum vessel positioned about an imaging volume, one or more high temperature superconducting coils positioned within the vacuum vessel, and a cryocooler coupled to the vacuum vessel to operate the superconducting coil at a temperature above 10 K. At least one gradient coil is positioned between an imaging volume and the superconducting coil without any thermal shielding interposed between the gradient coil and the superconducting coil.

Abstract: A cooling system is in thermal contact with a magnet and provides cooling thereto. A storage tank is fluidly connected to the cooling system to store gas released by the cooling system. The stored gas may then be released back into the cooling system when needed.

Abstract: A portable power system has a turbine engine generating mechanical energy. A homopolar electrical machine receives this energy. The homopolar electrical machine has a single stationary superconducting field coil configured to create a magnetic field. A homopolar rotor is configured to rotate within the magnetic field such that a rotating magnetic field is created in a stationary winding by interaction of the rotating permeance wave produced by the homopolar rotor and the magnetic field produced by the single stationary field coil. The homopolar electrical machine is configured as a generator and produces electrical power for the portable power system.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system is provided. The MRI system includes a cylindrical magnet for generating a static magnetic field. The magnet includes a cryostat having concave end plates and a first set of superconducting coils shielded with a second set of superconducting coils. The first and the second set of superconducting coils are disposed in the cryostat.

Abstract: A magnetizing coil unit and a method of making a magnetizing coil unit is provided. The coil includes a solenoid coil having a coiled copper sheet in which the width of the copper sheet is equal to the height of the solenoid coil. A magnetizing assembly includes a plurality of magnetizing coil units.

Abstract: A composite sealed vessel is provided. The vessel includes a non-metallic, generally cylindrical inner containment piece, a non-metallic, generally cylindrical outer containment piece disposed around the inner containment piece. A pair of non-metallic flanges are disposed at ends of the inner and outer containment pieces to form a closed structure defining a cavity therein. The vessel also includes a metallic external lining disposed over the closed structure to form a leak-tight pressure boundary.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for cooling superconducting devices. The system includes a cryogen cooling system configured to be coupled to the superconducting device and to supply cryogen to the device. The system also includes a cryogen storage system configured to supply cryogen to the device. The system further includes flow control valving configured to selectively isolate the cryogen cooling system from the device, thereby directing a flow of cryogen to the device from the cryogen storage system.

Abstract: A fluid transfer device and a method for conveying a fluid from a fluid transfer device to a rotating member are provided. The fluid transfer device includes a housing disposed around a first rotating member extending along an axis. The housing has a first plurality of apertures extending therethrough that communicate with the fluid source. The first rotating member has a second plurality of passageways extending from a first exterior surface of the first rotating member to a third passageway extending generally axially within the first rotating member. Further, at least a portion of the second plurality of passageways communicate with at least a portion of the first plurality of apertures, wherein the fluid flows through the first plurality of apertures and the second plurality of passageways to the third passageway in the first rotating member.

Abstract: A superconducting coil assembly includes a plurality of circuit branches. Each circuit branch of the plurality of circuit branches is electrically connected in parallel to each other. Each circuit branch is disposed at a structural core. Each circuit branch of the plurality of circuit branches includes a coil wound from a superconducting wire and a resistive means electrically connected in series to the coil. The coil from each circuit branch forms a plurality of coils with respect to the plurality of circuit branches.

Abstract: A power generation system including: a generator including a rotor including a superconductive rotor coil coupled to a rotatable shaft; a first prime mover drivingly coupled to the rotatable shaft; and a thermal radiation shield, partially surrounding the rotor coil, comprising at least a first sheet and a second sheet spaced apart from the first sheet by centripetal force produced by the rotatable shaft. A thermal radiation shield for a generator comprising a rotor including a super-conductive rotor coil comprising: a first sheet having at least one surface formed from a low emissivity material; and at least one additional sheet having at least one surface formed from a low emissivity material spaced apart from the first sheet by centripetal force produced by the rotatable shaft, wherein each successive sheet is an incrementally greater circumferental arc length and wherein the centripetal force shapes the sheets into a substantially catenary shape.

Abstract: A flexible stator bar generally includes a stranded conductor having a rectangular shaped cross sectional profile, wherein the stranded conductor comprises a plurality of wires having a gauge dimension effective to impart flexibility; and a thermoplastic elastomeric insulating material disposed about the stranded conductor. Also disclosed herein are processes for fabricating the flexible stator bar, which generally comprises depositing a thermoplastic elastomeric insulating material onto the flexible stranded conductor, which can be flexibly oriented into a desired position, thereby improving dimensional control relative to Roebel-type stator bars. The insulated flexible stranded conductor may then be coated with a B-stage epoxy or the like and cured to form the final shape after assembly within the desired electrical machine application.