Abstract: A device is employed for an apparatus including an electrically conductive coil (230) which is disposed within a cryostat (210) and which is configured to produce a magnetic field when an electrical current is passed therethrough. The device dissipates heat from an electrical contact which is disposed within the cryostat and which is configured to supply electrical power to the electrically conductive coil, The device includes: a cooling gas circuit (326) configured to supply a cooling gas to the electrical contact which is disposed within the cryostat and configured to supply electrical power to the electrically conductive coil; and a heat exchanger (308) disposed within the cryostat and configured transfer heat from the electrical contact to the cooling gas to raise the temperature of the cooling gas.

Abstract: A superconducting magnet system, including a cryostat, and a ride-through system for the superconducting magnet system include: one or more gravity-fed cooling tubes configured to have therein a cryogenic fluid; a first heat exchanger configured to transfer heat from the one or more gravity-fed cooling tubes to a cryocooler; a storage device having an input connected to the first heat exchanger and configured to receive and store a boiled-off gas from the first heat exchanger; and a thermal regenerator having an input connected to the output of the storage device.

Abstract: A valve is configured to control a flow of a gas disposed within a convective cooling loop. The valve can be actuated between an open position and a closed position via a magnetic field generated by at least one electrically conductive coil disposed within a cryostat.

Abstract: A chamber (422) for a cryostat (420) includes: first and second annular sections (4221, 4222) separated and spaced apart from each other along a first direction, and a third annular section (4223) extending in the first direction between the first and second annular sections and connecting the first and second annular sections to each other. The first and second annular sections define corresponding first and second internal volumes, the third annular section defines a third internal volume, and the third internal volume is substantially less than the first internal volume and substantially less than the second internal volume.

Abstract: A device is employed for an apparatus including an electrically conductive coil (230) which is disposed within a cryostat (210) and which is configured to produce a magnetic field when an electrical current is passed therethrough. The device dissipates heat from an electrical contact which is disposed within the cryostat and which is configured to supply electrical power to the electrically conductive coil, The device includes: a cooling gas circuit (326) configured to supply a cooling gas to the electrical contact which is disposed within the cryostat and configured to supply electrical power to the electrically conductive coil; and a heat exchanger (308) disposed within the cryostat and configured transfer heat from the electrical contact to the cooling gas to raise the temperature of the cooling gas.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance (MR) imaging system (100) including a housing (102) having first and second openings (110, 116), and first and second solenoid coils (160, 150), the first and second solenoid coils (160, 150) generate a magnetic field suitable for imaging within a region of interest (ROI). The first and second solenoid coils (160, 150) have a common longitudinal axis (LA). The first and second openings (110, 116) are situated on opposite sides of the housing (102) along the longitudinal axis (LA). The first solenoid coil (160) has a different inside diameter than the second solenoid coil (150) and is positioned adjacent the first opening (110). The second solenoid coil (150) is positioned adjacent the second opening (116). Accordingly, the system provides improved access to the patent during imaging, e.g. for MR guided interventional procedures.

Abstract: An apparatus including a persistent current switch of a superconducting material which is electrically superconducting at a superconducting temperature and electrically resistive at a resistive mode temperature which is greater than the superconducting temperature. The apparatus further includes a first heat exchange element; a convective heat dissipation loop thermally coupling the persistent current switch to the first heat exchange element; a second heat exchange element spaced apart from the first heat exchange element; and a thermally conductive link thermally coupling the persistent current switch to the second heat exchange element. The first heat exchange element is disposed above the persistent current switch. The thermally conductive link may have a greater thermal conductivity at the superconducting temperature than at a second temperature which is greater than the superconducting temperature.

Abstract: An apparatus including an electrically conductive coil which produces a magnetic field when an electrical current passes therethrough; a selectively activated persistent current switch connected across the electrically conductive coil; a cryostat having the electrically conductive coil and the persistent current switch disposed therein; an energy dump; at least one sensor which detects an operating parameter of the apparatus and outputs at least one sensor signal in response thereto; and a magnet controller. The magnet controller receives the sensor signal(s) and in response thereto detects whether an operating fault (e.g. a power loss to the compressor of a cryocooler) exists in the apparatus, and when an operating fault is detected, connects the energy dump unit across the electrically conductive coil to transfer energy from the electrically conductive coil to the energy dump unit. The energy dump unit disperses the energy outside of the cryostat.