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 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 permanent magnet assembly comprising a fixed permanent magnet body and a movable permanent magnet body which is movable relative to the fixed permanent magnet body.

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 structure for superconducting magnets is provided. The structure includes a thermally conductive electrically resistive composite bobbin, a superconducting coil disposed around the thermally conductive electrically resistive composite bobbin for conducting current in a superconductive state. The structure also includes an electrically open cryogenic coil disposed on the thermally conductive composite electrically resistive bobbin, which can receive a flow of cryogenic fluid to maintain the superconducting coil in the superconductive state by transfer of heat from the superconducting coil to the electrically open cryogenic coil through the thermally conductive electrically resistive composite bobbin.

Abstract: A rotating machine comprising a superconductive coil and a temperature sensor operable to provide a signal representative of superconductive coil temperature. The rotating machine may comprise a control system communicatively coupled to the temperature sensor. The control system may be operable to reduce electric current in the superconductive coil when a signal representative of a defined superconducting coil temperature is received from the temperature sensor.

Abstract: A cooling system for providing cryogenic cooling fluid to an apparatus comprises a re-circulation device, a passive cold storage device having a porous matrix of material which directly contacts the cryogenic cooling fluid as the cryogenic cooling fluid passes through the passive cold storage device, a first portion of a fluid communication feed line fluidly connecting the re-circulation device to the passive cold storage device, a second portion of a fluid communication feed line fluidly connecting the passive cold storage device to the apparatus for communicating cryogenic cooling fluid to the apparatus, and a fluid communication return line fluidly connecting the apparatus to the re-circulation device. The passive cold storage device may comprise a regenerative heat exchanger including a porous matrix of metal wire mesh, metal spheres or ceramic spheres.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device for imaging a volume is provided with at least one main magnet for generating a magnetic field, and at least one gradient coil for manipulating the magnetic field generated by the at least one main magnet to image the volume. The magnetic fields generated by the at least one gradient coil are substantially unshielded.

Abstract: A system and method for protecting a superconductor from a quench condition. A quench protection system is provided to protect the superconductor from damage due to a quench condition. The quench protection system comprises a voltage detector operable to detect voltage across the superconductor. The system also comprises a frequency filter coupled to the voltage detector. The frequency filter is operable to couple voltage signals to a control circuit that are representative of a rise in superconductor voltage caused by a quench condition and to block voltage signals that are not. The system is operable to detect whether a quench condition exists in the superconductor based on the voltage signal received via the frequency filter and to initiate a protective action in response.

Abstract: A rotating machine comprising a superconductive coil and a temperature sensor operable to provide a signal representative of superconductive coil temperature. The rotating machine may comprise a control system communicatively coupled to the temperature sensor. The control system may be operable to reduce electric current in the superconductive coil when a signal representative of a defined superconducting coil temperature is received from the temperature sensor.

Abstract: Briefly in accordance with one aspect, the present technique provides a method for heating a permanent magnet in a magnetic resonance imaging system. The method for heating a permanent magnet includes directly heating a surface of the permanent magnet using a surface heater. The present technique also provides a system for heating a permanent magnet in a magnetic resonance imaging system. The system includes a surface heater configured to directly heat a surface of the permanent magnet.

Abstract: A system and method for protecting a superconductor. The system may comprise a current sensor operable to detect a current flowing through the superconductor. The system may comprise a coolant temperature sensor operable to detect the temperature of a cryogenic coolant used to cool the superconductor to a superconductive state. The control circuit is operable to estimate the superconductor temperature based on the current flow and the coolant temperature. The system may also be operable to compare the estimated superconductor temperature to at least one threshold temperature and to initiate a corrective action when the superconductor temperature exceeds the at least one threshold temperature.

Abstract: A low eddy current cryogen circuit for superconducting magnets including at least a first cooling coil made of an electrically conducting material and having at least one electrical isolator incorporated in the first cooling coil. The electrical isolator is located to inhibit induced eddy current loops due to inductive coupling of the first cooling coil with eddy current inducing field sources.

Abstract: A cooling system for providing cryogenic cooling fluid to an apparatus comprises a re-circulation device, a passive cold storage device having a porous matrix of material which directly contacts the cryogenic cooling fluid as the cryogenic cooling fluid passes through the passive cold storage device, a first portion of a fluid communication feed line fluidly connecting the re-circulation device to the passive cold storage device, a second portion of a fluid communication feed line fluidly connecting the passive cold storage device to the apparatus for communicating cryogenic cooling fluid to the apparatus, and a fluid communication return line fluidly connecting the apparatus to the re-circulation device. The passive cold storage device may comprise a regenerative heat exchanger including a porous matrix of metal wire mesh, metal spheres or ceramic spheres.

Abstract: A permanent magnet assembly comprising a fixed permanent magnet body and a movable permanent magnet body which is movable relative to the fixed permanent magnet body.

Abstract: A permanent magnet assembly for an imaging apparatus having a permanent magnet body having a first surface and a stepped second surface which is adapted to face an imaging volume of the imaging apparatus, wherein the stepped second surface contains at least four steps.

Abstract: A cryogen free superconducting magnet assembly having a high Tc superconducting magnet and a thermal reservoir in thermal contact with the high Tc superconducting magnet. A method of cooling a cryogen free superconducting magnet assembly and an MRI system having cryogen free superconducting magnet assemblies.

Abstract: A gradient compensation system comprising a magnet assembly, at least one field-generating gradient coil operable for generating magnetic field gradients in three orthogonal coordinates, and at least one gradient compensation coil positioned adjacent to the magnet assembly and operable for generating a magnetic field to compensate for leakage fields. A system for eliminating image distortion in magnetic resonance imaging comprising a magnet assembly comprising an imaging gradient coil and an imaging volume, and at least one gradient compensation coil positioned adjacent to the magnet assembly operable for generating gradient compensation fields in response to the magnetic field change.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device for imaging a volume is provided with at least one main magnet for generating a magnetic field, and at least one gradient coil for manipulating the magnetic field generated by the at least one main magnet to image the volume. The magnetic fields generated by the at least one gradient coil are substantially unshielded.

Abstract: A gradient compensation system comprising a magnet assembly, at least one field-generating gradient coil operable for generating magnetic field gradients in three orthogonal coordinates, and at least one gradient compensation coil positioned adjacent to the magnet assembly and operable for generating a magnetic field to compensate for leakage fields. A system for eliminating image distortion in magnetic resonance imaging comprising a magnet assembly comprising an imaging gradient coil and an imaging volume, and at least one gradient compensation coil positioned adjacent to the magnet assembly operable for generating gradient compensation fields in response to the magnetic field change.