Abstract: A hollow cylindrical thermal shield for a tubular cryogenically cooled superconducting magnet, has a first axis, an inner cylindrical tube having an axis aligned with the first axis, an outer cylindrical tube of greater diameter than the diameter of the inner cylindrical tube, having an axis aligned with the first axis, and annular end pieces, joining the inner cylindrical tube and the outer cylindrical tube to form an enclosure. The hollow cylindrical thermal shield further has a cylindrical stiffener, extending axially at least part of the axial length of the inner cylindrical tube, the stiffener being joined at intervals to the inner cylindrical tube, thereby to improve the mechanical rigidity of the inner cylindrical tube.

Abstract: A cryostat assembly (1) for a superconducting magnet assembly, with a helium tank (2) for liquid helium, whereby the superconducting magnet assembly (6) is located in the helium tank (2), with a nitrogen tank (3) for liquid nitrogen, whereby the nitrogen tank (3) encloses the helium tank (2), and with at least one access tube (4) in which the current lead is mounted through which current can be lead from the room-temperature warm area of the cryostat (1) into the superconducting magnet assembly (6), whereby the current lead assembly comprises at least one current lead with a normal conductor part (13) and a superconductor part (14) made of HTS material, characterized in that a terminal (12) of the at least one current lead, through which the normal conductor part (13) is electrically connected with the superconductor part (14) is thermally coupled with a wall of the nitrogen tank (3).

Abstract: A cryogenic container includes an inner vessel for containing a cryogenic fluid, and an outer vessel for insulating the cryogenic fluid from the environment. The inner vessel includes a superconductive layer formed of a material having superconducting properties at the temperature of the cryogenic fluid. The superconductive layer forms a magnetic field around the cryogenic container, that repels electromagnetic energy, including thermal energy from the environment, keeping the cryogenic fluid at low temperatures. The cryogenic container has a portability and a volume that permits its' use in applications from handheld electronics to vehicles such as alternative fueled vehicles (AFVs). A SMES storage system includes the cryogenic container, and a SMES magnet suspended within the cryogenic fluid. The SMES storage system can also include a recharger and a cryocooler configured to recharge the cryogenic container with the cryogenic fluid.

Abstract: A high temperature superconductor (HTSC) 5 is magnetized between drive coils 1,2 forming poles of a magnet connected by an iron yoke 9 by relative movement of a vacuum insulated cryostat 4 containing the HTSC and the magnetizing magnet, in order to magnetize a large area of HTSC using a magnet with a small region 3 of magnetizing flux. Alternatively, the HTSC 5may be contained in an evacuated region of a cryostat containing the magnetizing magnet. An interconnecting chamber allows the HTSC to be moved between an operative region and a magnetizing region without substantial loss of vacuum.

Abstract: An MR magnet assembly includes a cylindrical vessel for housing a superconducting magnet and having a vacuum between its inner and outer walls. The vessel defines a magnet bore for receiving a patient to be imaged. A gradient coil assembly is mounted in the bore adjacent the inner wall of the magnet assembly. To reduce gradient coil noise, the inner wall is constructed of a non-conductive material which does not support eddy currents.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a superconducting element includes a first chamber which accommodates a first coolant and maintains the superconducting element at a very low temperature, a second chamber which accommodates a second coolant and is thermally connected to the first chamber via a barrier member, the second coolant being liquidized at a temperature lower than that of the first coolant, and a cooling device which is connected to the second chamber and liquidizes the first coolant.

Abstract: A superconductive magnet having a superconductive coil located within a thermal shield located within a vacuum enclosure. A magnet re-entrant support assembly includes an outer support cylinder located between the vacuum enclosure and the thermal shield and includes an inner support cylinder located between the thermal shield and the superconductive coil. The outer support cylinder's first end is rigidly connected to the vacuum enclosure, and its second end is rigidly connected to the thermal shield. The inner support cylinder's first terminus is rigidly connected to the thermal shield near the outer support cylinder's second end, and its second terminus is located longitudinally between the outer support cylinder's first and second ends and is rigidly connected to the superconductive coil. Buckling resistance is improved by adding stiffening rings to the support cylinders.

Abstract: A superconductive magnet having a superconductive coil located within a thermal shield located within a vacuum enclosure. A cryocooler coldhead's first stage is in solid-conductive thermal contact with the thermal shield, and its second stage is in solid-conductive thermal contact with the superconductive coil. A magnet re-entrant support assembly includes an outer support cylinder located between the vacuum enclosure and the thermal shield and includes an inner support cylinder located between the thermal shield and the superconductive coil. The outer support cylinder's first end is rigidly connected to the vacuum enclosure, and its second end is rigidly connected to the thermal shield. The inner support cylinder's first terminus is rigidly connected to the thermal shield near the outer support cylinder's second end, and its second terminus is located longitudinally between the outer support cylinder's first and second ends and is rigidly connected to the superconductive coil.

Abstract: The rotary dipole active magnetic regenerative refrigerator (10) of the present invention comprises a stationary first regenerative magnetic bed (12) positioned within a stationary first inner dipole magnet (14), a stationary second regenerative magnetic material bed (16) positioned within a stationary second inner dipole magnet (18), an outer dipole magnet (20) that rotates on a longitudinal axis and encloses the inner dipole magnets (14, 18), a cold heat exchanger (22), hot heat exchangers (24, 26), a fluid displacer (28), and connective plumbing through which a heat transfer fluid is conveyed.

Abstract: A cryogenic containment vessel for use with a pulsed superconducting magnet system includes a superconducting coil positioned within the cryogenic containment vessel for providing a magnetic field. The containment vessel includes a relatively thin metallic inner tube for holding liquid helium and the coil. The containment vessel also includes a relatively thick outer tube encompassing the inner tube with a relatively rigid insulative spacer positioned between the inner and outer tubes so that the tubes are not in contact with each other. The outer tube is predominantly metallic and has at least one joint formed of insulative material to prevent the outer tube from forming a low electrical resistance loop. The inner tube provides a vacuum seal and the outer tube provides structural support for the inner tube so that eddy current losses resulting from ramping of the current to the coil are reduced. A method of fabricating the containment vessel is also disclosed.

Abstract: A ceramic type superconductive layer (2) is formed on the outer peripheral surface of an optical fiber (1), and a stabilizing layer (3) is formed so that it contacts the outer peripheral surface of the superconductive layer (3). The diameter of the optical fiber is, for example, not more tha 100 .mu.m. The superconductive layer may be formed with a spirally extending groove (7) which divides the superconductive layer.