Abstract: A superconducting magnet coil support structure (20) includes a solid body (21) having an exterior side (24), an interior portion (26), and an interior side (28). The interior portion has a base (36) that is formed of a first resin material. The exterior side (24) has multiple spacers (32) and multiple pockets (34) with dimensions that correspond to dimensions of a superconducting magnet (14). The spacers (32) are coupled to the base (36) and are formed of a second resin material. The exterior side (24), the interior portion (26), and the interior side (28) include varying width material.

Abstract: A method for winding on embedded b-zero coil maintains the integrity of superconducting main coil and the b-zero wire during coil winding and during normal operation of a superconducting MRI magnet. The b-zero coil is co-wound with an aluminum overwrap while the aluminum overwrap is being wound onto the superconducting MRI coil. The two-wire geometries are selected such that the height or thickness of the aluminum overwrap is greater than or equal to the height or thickness of the b-zero coil wire. The b-zero coil wire sits in a cavity that is created by adjacent turns.

Abstract: A superconducting magnet coil support structure (20) includes a solid body (21) having an exterior side (24), an interior portion (26), and an interior side (28). The interior portion has a base (36) that is formed of a first resin material. The exterior side (24) has multiple spacers (32) and multiple pockets (34) with dimensions that correspond to dimensions of a superconducting magnet (14). The spacers (32) are coupled to the base (36) and are formed of a second resin material. The exterior side (24), the interior portion (26), and the interior side (28) include varying width material.

Abstract: A method for winding on embedded b-zero coil maintains the integrity of superconducting main coil and the b-zero wire during coil winding and during normal operation of a superconducting MRI magnet. The b-zero coil is co-wound with an aluminum overwrap while the aluminum overwrap is being wound onto the superconducting MRI coil. The two-wire geometries are selected such that the height or thickness of the aluminum overwrap is greater than or equal to the height or thickness of the b-zero coil wire. The b-zero coil wire sits in a cavity that is created by adjacent turns.

Abstract: A superconducting magnet support structure and a method of fabricating the same are provided. The superconducting magnet support structure having a solid body comprises an exterior side, an interior portion, and an interior side. The superconducting magnet support structure is formed by performing a wet winding process thereby winding fiber cloth onto a preformed support tooling, curing the fiber cloth, and removing the preformed support tooling from the superconducting magnet support structure. The method of fabricating the superconducting magnet support structure of the present invention provides versatility allowing it to be applied to various MRI systems with varying superconducting magnet dimensions and geometries.

Abstract: An improved high performance x-ray system having a rotating anode therein which includes an improved target/stem assembly comprising a metallic target and a large bore, thin-walled tubular metal stem which, when connected to a rotor body assembly, provides a rotating x-ray tube anode assembly is disclosed. An insert of an alloy, for example, tantalum alloy, is placed between the target layer and the large bore, thin-walled tubular stem and then bonded thereto to produce a composite x-ray tube target/stem assembly. The target/stem assembly is then connected to a rotor body assembly by fasteners, preferably threaded, applied through a plate connected to the tubular stem and preferably through a thermal washer to produce a rotating anode assembly having high bond strength that provides acceptable balance during x-ray tube operations.

Abstract: Methods of making an improved high performance x-ray system having a rotating anode therein are available. The anode includes an improved target/stem connection which reduces tube failure due to anode assembly imbalance. Methods of bonding a metallic target and a metal stem to form a composite rotating x-ray tube target are also available. In these procedures an insert of an alloy, for example, tantalum or its alloys , is placed between the target and the niobium-alloy stem and then bonded thereto to produce a composite x-ray tube target/stem having a high remelt temperature and bond strength which retains its balance throughout the manufacturing process and during x-ray tube operations.

Abstract: An improved high performance x-ray system having a rotating anode therein which includes an improved target/stem connection and a coating, operatively positioned between the target and the stem, for enhancing the diffusion therebetween to reduce tube failure due to anode assembly imbalance comprising a metallic target and a metal stem bonded to provide a composite rotating x-ray tube target is disclosed. An insert of an alloy, for example, titanium alloy, is placed between the target layer, the stem and a coating, operatively positioned between the target and the stem, for enhancing the diffusion therebetween and then bonded thereto to produce a composite x-ray tube target/stem having a high remelt temperature and bond strength which retains its balance throughout the manufacturing process and during x-ray tube operations is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of making a high performance x-ray system having a rotating anode includes making target/tubular stem assembly and then assembling it to a rotor body assembly. This particular method reduces tube failure due to anode assembly imbalance and provides an improved rotating x-ray tube anode assembly.

Abstract: Methods of making an improved high performance x-ray system having a rotating anode therein which includes an improved target/tubular stem combination which, when combined with a rotor body assembly, reduces tube failure due to anode assembly imbalance and methods of bonding a metallic target and a metal tubular stem and connecting the combination to a rotor body assembly to provide a rotating x-ray tube target are disclosed. An insert of an alloy, for example, tantalum or its alloys, is placed between the target and the niobium-alloy tubular stem and then bonded thereto to produce the x-ray tube target/tubular stem assembly having a high remelt temperature and bond strength which, when connected, such as by bolting to the rotor body assembly, the resulting anode assembly retains proper balance during x-ray tube operations.

Abstract: A method and system for rapidly connecting and rapidly disconnecting a large number of point contacts onto a pipe surface for detecting defects in pipe and other structures is taught. The method and system involve independently pressing a plurality of sharply pointed pin contacts onto the pipe surface by a means, such as a spring. The system comprises a plurality of electrodes each having a plurality of pins, as illustrated seventeen (17) pins, arranged in a pattern. Each of the plurality of pins is held in a conforming opening in the electrode and is urged by springs means, such as a coil spring, against the surface of the structures. Each of the plurality of pins (sixteen (16) current pins and one voltage pin) are individually connected to a power supply and sensing apparatus. This system and method has proved operable for detecting defects in structures, such as pipe.

Abstract: A scheme for rapidly connecting and rapidly disconnecting a large number of point contacts onto a pipe surface is taught. The scheme involves pressing sharply pointed pin contacts onto the pipe surface by gas pressure. Each pin is held in a conforming opening in an annular ring structure. The ring forms the inner wall of an annulus capable of holding gas pressure to urge the many needles inward against the pipe surface. Each pin is individually connected to a power supply and sensing apparatus.