Abstract: A switching device for shorting at least one superconducting magnet winding contains at least two contacts which can be cooled by a cryogenic medium and joined together by means of an actuator in such a manner that a superconducting current path and a normally conducting current path which completely stabilizes the superconducting current path are developed. The switching device exhibits a relatively large ohmic resistance in its open switch state. To this end, a current path with at least one partially stabilized superconductor with a resistance of at least 200 ohms in the normally conducting state of the superconductor and which is always closed is provided. A predetermined number of turns of the partially stabilized superconductor is connected to a switchable heating device in thermal contact therewith and electrically insulated therefrom. In addition, at least two contacts of normally conducting material are provided, each of which can be connected to the magnet winding via an electric conductor.

Abstract: A continuous-current switch for shorting at least one superconducting magnet winding is provided with at least two contacts, each of which comprises several superconducting conductor sections which are arranged parallel to one another. The superconducting conductor sections are connected to support elements and are cooled by a cryogenic coolant. An actuating device is provided for joining the superconducting conductor sections together with a predetermined contact pressure. In order to ensure contact resistances are as low as possible for large superconducting magnets, the invention provides that the superconducting sections are arranged at the surfaces of the contacts facing each other in at least substantially parallel planes whereby the superconducting conductor sections of the first contact cross the superconducting conductor sections of the other contact.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a fast transition of the entire superconducting winding of an electrical apparatus, which is arranged in a vacuum chamber and is cooled by a cryogenic medium, from the superconducting operating state into the normal-conducting state by heating the entire winding in case of a disturbance of a section of the winding which causes that section to become normal-conducting is disclosed. A predetermined quantity of a gas which is at a higher temperature and which would be frozen at the superconducting operating temperature is introduced into the vacuum chamber such that the superconducting parts of the winding are heated above the critical transition temperature characteristic for superconduction. The pressure in the spaces containing the cryogenic medium can also be increased by a predetermined value such that boiling of the cryogenic medium is suppressed when the superconducting parts are heated to at least the critical transition temperature.

Abstract: A shorting element for closing a superconducting current path using contacts of a stabilized superconductor material with the contacts being brought together through the use of a mechanical actuating device, in which the contact surfaces of the contact elements are brought into contact using a pneumatic and/or hydraulic means operated by a pressure medium fed into the interior of at least one spring bellows. The shorting element, which is particularly useful in shorting superconducting magnets, is of a simple design, operationally reliable, and results in small coolant losses from the addition of heat through the shorting element.