Abstract: A tensioning arrangement for a suspension system comprising an elongate suspension member (2) for attachment to an element to be suspended under tension at a predetermined location relative to a support surface (10); the arrangement comprising a lever arm member (1) having a component (5) adapted to engage with and support said elongate suspension member remotely from said suspended element, wherein said lever arm member is formed with first (7) and second (6) bearing means adapted to bear respectively against first (9) and second (8) spaced-apart regions of said support surface and wherein at least said first bearing means incorporates an adjuster means (3) permitting the said arm member to be moved relative to said first region of said support surface, thereby to permit adjustment of tension in said suspension member.

Abstract: A method can be used to perform an operation on a system that includes an assembly and a vessel that includes a wall and a thermal shield. The method can include breaking a thermal connection between the assembly and the thermal shield, separating the assembly and a surface within the vessel from each other, or any combination thereof. The method can also include changing a pressure with the vessel to be closer to atmospheric pressure, heating the assembly, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the method can be performed while keeping a cryogenic region substantially sealed, keeping a superconducting magnet energized, or a combination thereof. In a particular embodiment, the method can be used when servicing the assembly, such as a cryocooler.

Abstract: A cryostat has a cryogen vessel retained within an outer vacuum container, a thermally insulating jacket surrounding the outer vacuum container and insulating it from ambient temperature.

Abstract: A cryostat has a tank for accommodation of a coolant and at least one superconducting magnet coil to generate a magnetic field. The tank has on a top side at least one tower pipe for filling the coolant and/or for venting vaporized coolant. In order to immediately indicate if and when sealing of filling pipes and discharging pipes with (for example) ice has occurred, a pressure sensor is connected via a pressure sensor pipe with the inside of the tank.

Abstract: In an apparatus and method for transporting cryogenically cooled goods or equipment, a cryostat containing the cryogenically cooled goods or equipment and partially filled with liquid cryogen is provided with a cryogenic refrigerator for active cooling; and auxiliary equipment sufficient to maintain the cryogenic refrigerator in operation, are all mounted on a transportable carrier such that the transportable carrier may be transported with the cryogenic refrigerator in operation without connection of any of the cryostat, refrigerator and auxiliary equipment to any supplies located off of the transportable carrier.

Abstract: A cryostat for electric power conditioner comprising external walls (1, 3, 11) in contact with an ambient medium, internal walls (2, 12, 13) in contact with a cooled medium and a thermal insulating gap (4, 14) formed between the external walls (1, 3, 11) and the internal walls (2, 12, 13). At least one part of the at least one external wall (1, 3, 11) and/or at least one part of the at least one internal wall (2, 12, 13) of the cryostat comprises a layered structure (15, 16, 17).

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for producing hyperpolarized samples for use in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are provided. The apparatus comprises an ultra-compact cryogen-free cryostat structure for use in polarizing a sample of selected material, wherein the cryostat structure comprises a central bore being adapted to be evacuated to create a vacuum region, and a cooling device inserted in the central bore or optionally close to the central bore for maintaining a selected temperature of the sample.

Abstract: A container for cryogenic liquids, comprising an evacuable outer container, wherein the outer container has a substantially flat base wall, a substantially flat ceiling wall and side walls. A support is arranged between inner containers, wherein the support is larger in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the inner container than in the direction between the inner containers and at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the inner container.

Abstract: An extra-low vibration cryostat, which incorporates a cryocooler and cryostat to cool and house a vibration-sensitive device, with the cryocooler and cryostat sealed gas-tight to each other, but mechanically isolated, so that vibration from the cryocooler does not affect the device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a refrigerating arrangement (100) comprising a hot connection element and a cold connection element (101, 103) and a heat exchanger tube arranged between said connection elements (101, 103). The heat exchanger tube (105) is to be at least partially filled with a liquid (106) that can be circulated in the heat exchanger tube (105) by a thermosiphon effect. The parts (102) to be cooled of a device, especially used in superconductivity technology, are connected to the hot connection element (101), and a heat sink (104) is connected to the cold connection element (103). In order to thermally separate the connection elements (101, 103), the liquid (106) can be pumped out by means of a pipeline (107) connected to the inside of the heat exchanger tube (105).

Abstract: A method for delivery of cryogenic combustible gases to users is described, where the combustible gas is kept in one or more storage tanks (10, 20) in a liquid state, such as LNG, as said number of tanks are arranged to be filled up after they are emptied at the delivery to the users, and where a conduit (22, 24) leads gas in liquid state by way of an evaporator to said users.

Abstract: A cryostat (1) with a magnet coil system including superconductors for the production of a magnet field Bo in a measuring volume (3) has a plurality of radially nested solenoid-shaped coil sections (4, 5, 6) which are electrically connected in series, at least one of which being an LTS section (5, 6) with a conventional low temperature superconductor (LTS) and at least one of which being an HTS section (4) including a high temperature superconductor (HTS), wherein the LTS section (5, 6) is located in a first helium tank (9) of the cryostat (1) along with liquid helium at a helium temperature TL<4 K. The apparatus is characterized in that the HTS section (4) is disposed radially within the LTS section (5, 6) in a separate helium tank (19) of the cryostat (1) having normal liquid helium and is separated from the LTS section (5, 6) by means of at least one wall disposed between the two helium tanks.

Abstract: A method for controlling egress of gas from a cryogen vessel (12) housing a superconducting magnet (10). A controller (30) receives data indicative of gas pressure within the cryogen vessel; a controlled valve (40) controls the egress of cryogen gas from the cryogen vessel (12); and data is made available to the controller, indicating a state of the magnet. Egress of cryogen gas from the cryogen vessel is controlled by operation of the controlled valve (40) by the controller (30) in response to the available data indicating a state of the magnet.

Abstract: A superconductor system cooling apparatus, the apparatus comprising a casing, a solid coolant and a cooling circuit; wherein the cooling circuit comprises a heat exchanger, and a connector to couple the heat exchanger to a pre-cool loop of the superconductor system; wherein the cooling circuit further comprises a heat exchange medium to transfer heat between the solid coolant and the superconducting system.

Abstract: A cryostat (1) with a magnet coil system including superconductors for the production of a magnet field B0 in a measuring volume (3) has a plurality of radially nested solenoid-shaped coil sections (4, 5, 6) and which are electrically connected in series, at least one of which being an LTS section (5, 6) with a conventional low temperature superconductor (LTS) and at least one of which being an HTS section (4) including a high temperature superconductor (HTS), wherein the magnet coil system is located in a helium tank (9) of the cryostat (1) along with liquid helium at a helium temperature TL<4 K. The apparatus is characterized in that heating means are provided which always keep the HTS at an increased temperature TH>TL and TH>2.2 K. The cryostat in accordance with the invention can maintain the HTS section over a long period of time in a reliable manner.

Abstract: A cryostat assembly includes a first thermal shield positioned outside a working volume and a second thermal shield positioned outside the first thermal shield. A first cryocooler has at least two cooling stages operating with He4, a first stage of the cryocooler being thermally coupled to the second thermal shield, and a second stage of the first cryocooler being thermally coupled to the first thermal shield. A second cryocooler operates with He3 and has at least one cooling stage, a part of the second cryocooler, warmer than the cooling stage of the second cryocooler, being thermally coupled to the second stage of the first cryocooler.

Abstract: A processor is provided in a MRI scanner which senses pressure within a cryogen vessel and the ambient environmental pressure outside of the scanner. It controls a pressure controller means in the cryogen to in turn control the pressure to ensure that it is set to provide as large a buffer as possible before a pressure relief valve is opened. This ensures that cryogen is not lost unnecessarily.

Abstract: A cryopreservation storage and processing container for cryogenic material is disclosed. In one embodiment, the container can be used to cryopreserve and store biological specimens at cryogenic temperature but also can be used directly in centrifuges or microcentrifuges to process biological materials. It incorporates the functions of both storage container and centrifuge tubes, provides self-sealing mechanism, and accommodates higher cooling/warming rates. The storage container includes both a vessel body 14 and a cap 12.

Abstract: A low-temperature-slush-fluid producing apparatus capable of achieving an increased weight solidification rate of slush fluid is provided. A low-temperature-slush-fluid producing apparatus includes a slush-fluid producing unit that includes a heat exchanger having a heat-transfer surface and disposed in a liquid-phase low-temperature fluid L stored in a container and scraping means for scraping a solid-phase low-temperature fluid formed on a surface of the heat-transfer surface; and a cryogenic-fluid generating unit for supplying into the interior of the heat-transfer surface a cryogenic fluid having a lower temperature than the liquid-phase low-temperature fluid L stored in the container.

Abstract: A component cooling system includes a component tank configured to receive a heat-generating device. The component tank is at least partially filled with a subcooled liquid at a first pressure and at a first temperature. A cryogenic system maintains the component tank at essentially the first temperature. The cryogenic system includes a heat exchange system thermally coupled with at least a portion of the component tank. The heat exchange system is at least partially filled with a second saturated liquid at a second pressure and at essentially the first temperature. A cryostat tank is fluidly-coupled with the heat exchange system and allows for pumpless displacement of the second saturated liquid between the heat exchange system and the cryostat tank.

Abstract: A cryostat (1) with a magnet coil system including superconductors for the production of a magnet field B0 in a measuring volume (3) has a plurality of radially nested solenoid-shaped coil sections (4, 5, 6) and which are electrically connected in series, at least one of which being an LTS section (5, 6) with a conventional low temperature superconductor (LTS) and at least one of which being an HTS section (4) including a high temperature superconductor (HTS), wherein the magnet coil system is located in a helium tank (9) of the cryostat (1) along with liquid helium at a helium temperature TL. The apparatus is characterized in that a chamber (11) is provided within which the HTS sections (4) are held having an internal portion with a sufficiently low pressure such that helium located therein at a temperature of TL is gaseous. The cryostat in accordance with the invention can be utilized to maintain HTS coil sections over a long period of time in a reliable fashion.

Abstract: The fault current limiter in a cryogenic liquid heat transfer medium, employs a high temperature superconductor (HTS) element which has a high thermal resistance coating material encapsulating the high temperature superconductor to form an intermediate boundary layer between the HTS element and the heat transfer medium. The coating material has a thickness which enables it to minimize the retained heat in the HTS element during recovery from a fault condition, wherein substantially all heat transfer from the encapsulated high temperature superconductor element to the liquid cryogen heat transfer medium occurs at the nucleate boiling heat transfer rate.

Abstract: A burst disc replacement apparatus (102) comprises a magazine (114) carrying a first burst disc (116) and a second burst disc (118). The apparatus also comprises a flow path (104) therethrough for venting fluid. The first burst disc (116) is located in the flow path (104) and the second burst disc (118) is located outside the flow path (104). A translation mechanism is also provided and coupled to the magazine (114) and arranged to permit manual translation of the magazine (114) so that the second burst disc (118) moves, when in use, into the flow path (104) in place of the first burst disc (116).

Abstract: When hydrogen is taken out, para-hydrogen having a low energy is converted into ortho-hydrogen having a high energy, and a cooling effect of endothermy of the para-ortho conversion is utilized for maintaining the temperature within a hydrogen storage device low. For accomplishing such a system, there is provided a hydrogen storage device for storing a liquid hydrogen, wherein a porous magnetic body serving as a para-ortho conversion catalyst is arranged in a hydrogen circulation.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for refrigerating one or more thermal loads which consists in providing a first CO2 source derived from a mechanical cold system, and in feeding one or more evaporators from said first source so as to cause the CO2 to evaporate thereby cooling said one or more thermal loads. The method is characterized in that it consists in providing a second CO2 source, consisting of a cryogenic storage of CO2, and in inputting CO2 from said second source, so that the flow rate of fluid feeding the evaporator(s) is a mixture of liquid CO2 derived from said first source and liquid CO2 derived from said second source.

Abstract: A cryostat comprises a cryogen vessel housed within an outer vacuum container (OVC), a thermal radiation shield being located between an external surface of the cryogen vessel and an internal surface of the OVC. A decouplable thermal link arrangement is provided between an external surface of the cryogen vessel and an internal surface of the thermal radiation shield, being decoupled by action of an applied magnetic field.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cryostat comprising a cryogen vessel (1), a thermal radiation shield (2), and a sleeve (5) for accommodating a cryogenic refrigerator. Also provided is a first thermal contact for thermally and mechanically connecting a first stage of a cryogenic refrigerator to the radiation shield for cooling thereof. A secondary recondensing chamber is provided (8) for accommodating a second stage of a cryogenic refrigerator, and means (10; 24) are provided for thermally connecting the secondary recondensing chamber to a recondensing surface (11a; 44) exposed to the interior of the cryogen vessel. The cryostat further comprises a pressure control arrangement (100) for controlling the pressure of a gas within the secondary recondensing chamber.

Abstract: A method of storing biological samples in which the biological samples are stored in a stack within a vessel interior of an insulated vessel. A pool of liquid cryogen is maintained within the vessel interior by condensing cryogenic vapor boiled off of the pool of liquid cryogen with a cryocooler having a cold finger. The cryocooler and cold finger are positioned so that a cold heat exchanger of the cold finger is in thermal contact with the cryogenic vapor and is positioned above the stack, so as to also maintain a temperature difference within the insulated vessel, between a bottom region of the stack and a top region of the stack, of no greater than about 65K.

Abstract: A cryogenic container with a built-in refrigerator according to the present invention comprises the refrigerator having a first heat absorbing part and a first heat dissipating part, a vacuum vessel for containing and thermally insulating an object to be cooled while holding the object at a cryogenic temperature through the first heat absorbing part of the refrigerator, and a pre-cooling unit having a second heat absorbing part and a second heat dissipating part for cooling the first heat dissipating part, wherein the first heat dissipating part and the second heat absorbing part are arranged inside the vacuum vessel, and a part of a heat dissipating unit including the second heat dissipating part is exposed outside the vacuum vessel.

Abstract: A limiter is provided to limit the motion of components in a cryostat during transit. This permits the use of a support structure which minimises the disturbance to an insulating structure and thus reduces ingress of heat to the cryogen. Cryogen loss is reduced leading to lower operating costs.

Abstract: A refrigerated container and method capable of maintaining super frozen temperatures of about ?50 degrees C. or less, includes container walls insulated to a value of at least about r-20, a cargo compartment configured for receiving cargo, and at least one refrigerant compartment configured for receiving refrigerant in the form of CO2 snow. The refrigerant compartment maintains the CO2 snow and vapor sublimating therefrom separately from the cargo compartment. The refrigerant compartment is located within the cargo compartment and configured to permit ambient atmosphere within the cargo compartment to contact at least three sides, and up to six sides, of the refrigerant compartment. The placement of the refrigerant compartment is also configured to generate a temperature gradient within the cargo compartment capable of generating convection therein, so that the super frozen temperatures are maintained within the cargo compartment without the use of external power sources.

Abstract: A cryogen tank in thermal and mechanical attachment with the equipment to be cooled. Direct thermal conduction between the cryogen and the equipment provides the required cooling. The tank is preferably arranged so as to lie within an existing profile of the cooled equipment, and to be relatively small as compared to known cryogen tanks.

Abstract: A compressor (1) including a compressor mechanism; an input line (12) for providing gas to the compressor; and an output line (14) for providing compressed gas from the compressor. The compressor may supply gas at a first pressure or at a second pressure, by variation of the charge pressure within a gas circuit. A buffer volume and arrangement of valves, contained within the compressor, facilitate the change in static charge pressure. The electrical power drawn by the compressor is reduced when the charge pressure is reduced. Changing the charge pressure in the compressor also varies the cooling power delivered by the refrigerator. Therefore, this variable charge compressor can be used to reduce the electrical power drawn by an MRI system when it is in standby, and the full refrigeration capability is not required. Also, this has the effect of reducing wear and increasing the life of certain components within the refrigerator and compressor.

Abstract: A Dewar vessel (1) for automated cryosubstitution or low-temperature substitution is disclosed. The invention further discloses an apparatus (10) for automated liquid transfer for cryosubstitution or low-temperature substitution. The apparatus (10) encompasses a container (50) that encompasses at least one specimen holder (2) and at least one reservoir holder (20); and wherein a movable transfer container (35) for automated exchange of at least one liquid (42) between the at least one specimen holder (2) and the at least one reservoir holder (20) is provided.

Abstract: A method and devices for rapid cooling of small biological samples by plunging them in a cryogenic liquid, such as liquid nitrogen, or contacting them with a cryogenic metal surface, reduce or eliminate the cold gas layer that forms above the liquid cryogens or cryogenic surfaces, producing an abrupt transition from ambient (e.g., room) temperature to the cryogen temperature as the sample enters the liquid or contacts the surface. To reduce or eliminate the effects of the cold gas layer, a flow of warm dry gas can be directed along the plunge path, for example. By removing this cold gas layer, cooling times for a 10 micron sample (the size of single cells and the smallest protein crystals now used protein crystallography) will decrease to ˜0.001 s.

Abstract: An ultra-rapid freezing device (100) adapted for cooling a sample (1), includes a substrate chip (10) being adapted for cooling the sample (1), and at least one sample carrier (20) being adapted for accommodating the sample (1) and including at least one heatable support (21), through which the at least one sample carrier (20) is attached to the substrate chip (10). Preferably, the at least one sample carrier (20) is attached to the substrate chip (10) in a suspended manner. Furthermore, a method of ultra-rapid freezing a sample (1) is described. The at least one sample carrier (20) can be switched between a heated state at which a thermal gradient is formed relative to the substrate chip (10) and a cooled state at which a thermal equilibrium is formed relative to the substrate chip (10).

Abstract: A cryostat has a cryogen vessel retained within an outer vacuum container, the cryogen vessel being provided with a vent path allowing cryogen gas to escape from the cryogen vessel, the cryostat further having a thermal radiation shield interposed between the cryogen vessel and the outer vacuum container. The vent path is arranged such that escaping cryogen gas is directed through a conduit, which forms an integral part of a thermal radiation shield.

Abstract: A cryogenic enhanced mechanical freezer system and method are provided. The disclosed system includes a mechanical freezer compartment adapted for freezing food products on a conveyor, a cryogen injection system adapted to directly inject cryogen into a shrouded zone proximate the conveyor in the mechanical freezer compartment, an exhaust system adapted to rapidly evacuate cryogen vapors from the freezer compartment; and a freezer control system adapted to operatively control the exhaust system and cryogen injection system in response to selected inputs so as to not adversely affect the mechanical refrigeration capacity associated with the mechanical freezer. The selected inputs may include user inputs as well as inputs received from one or more temperature sensors disposed in the freezer compartment and a gas analyzer adapted to monitor concentrations of selected gases within the freezer compartment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a reservoir, in particular a cryogenic reservoir, provided with two concentric envelops (1, 3), i.e. the internal (1) and external (3), respectively, defining an interwall space (2) therebetween, wherein said internal space (2) is exposable to a reduced operational pressure and the internal envelop (1) is exposable to an internal positive process.

Abstract: A superconducting device has a cryosystem to whose cryogenic medium a superconducting appliance and a superconducting switching path (which is electrically connected to it and can be activated thermally by means of a heater) of a superconducting switch are thermally coupled. A pipeline, to whose end the superconducting switching path is thermally coupled, is connected to a coolant area of at least one superconducting appliance. To ensure reliable heating of the switching path when the heater is activated, the pipeline has a cross-sectional constriction which impedes the heat exchange with the coolant area.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging system has a superconducting magnet contained within a cryostat, the cryostat being cooled by a cooling system that includes a healing and compressor, a refrigeration device and a local supervisory system. The helium compressor provides compressed helium to the refrigeration device, and the local supervisory system controls operation of the refrigeration device. The helium compressor is in communication with the local supervisory system, and also is able to communicate, independently of the local supervisory system, with a remote service provider.

Abstract: A cryostat configuration comprising an outer shell and a cryocontainer (2) for cryogenic fluid installed therein, wherein the cryocontainer (2) is connected to the outer shell via at least two suspension tubes (16), and with a neck tube (1) whose upper warm end is connected to the outer shell and whose lower cold end is connected to the cryocontainer (2) and into which a cold head (3) of a multi-stage cryocooler is installed, wherein the outer shell, the cryocontainer (2), the suspension tubes (16) and the neck tube (1) delimit an evacuated space, and wherein the cryocontainer (2) is moreover surrounded by at least one radiation shield which is connected to the suspension tubes (16) and optionally to the neck tube (1) of the cryocontainer (2) in a thermally conducting fashion, is characterized by a seal which can be manually and/or automatically actuated to separate the cold end of the neck tube (1) from the cryocontainer (2) in such a manner that fluid flow between the cryocontainer (2) and the neck tube (1)

Abstract: A cooled cryostat device comprising: a cold finger having infrared detector means secured to the end thereof; an outer casing surrounding the cold finger; and stiffener means for stiffening the cold finger and interposed between the outer casing and the cold finger in the vicinity of the end thereof. The stiffener means comprising: first eyelets provided on the inside of the casing and around its periphery; second eyelets provided on the outside of the cold finger around its periphery; the first and second eyelets being mutually angularly offset; and a cable tensioned around a closed loop between the outer casing and the cold finger and passing freely through the first and second eyelets, with the cable, once the cold finger has been placed in a balanced situation, itself being secured to the outer casing and to the cold finger.

Abstract: An NMR probe contains a metallic dewar for use in a high field magnet, the dewar characterized as having a major fraction of its inner wall made from an alloy whose weight composition includes at least 70% copper, less than 20% zinc, less than 10% nickel, less than 8% Cr, less than 4% Pb, less than 0.15% iron, less than 0.15% cobalt, and at least 3% from the set comprised of tin, silicon, aluminum, and chromium, and said inner wall further characterized as being plated with a pure metal on at least one surface.

Abstract: A multi-bath apparatus and method for cooling a superconductor includes both a cooling bath comprising a first cryogen and a shield bath comprising a second cryogen. The cooling bath surrounds the superconductor, and the shield bath surrounds the cooling bath. The cooling bath is maintained at a first pressure and subcooled, while the shield bath is maintained at a second pressure and saturated. The cooling bath and the shield bath are in a thermal relationship with one another, and the first pressure is greater the second pressure. Preferably, the cryogens are liquid nitrogen, and the superconductor is a high temperature superconductor, such as a current limiter. Following a thermal disruption to the superconductor, the first pressure is restored to the cooling bath and the second pressure is restored to the shield bath in order to restore the superconductor to a superconductive state.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making noncommercial amounts of a gas a liquid using a Joule-Thomson device. The device uses a precooler, a compressor, a Joule-Thomson valve and a thermally insulated housing.

Abstract: A suspension assembly for mechanically retaining a first article by bracing it against a distant second article, includes a tensile rod that extends between first and second articles. At least one first surface is mechanically linked to the tensile rod, and at least one second surface mechanically linked to the first article. The first surface and said second surface are braced against one another by tension in the tensile rod, and have at least three separate points of contact between them. At least one of the first and second surfaces is non-planar, and at least one of the points of contact is provided by a part of the surface which is convex and non-planar.

Abstract: Cryostat (1) for studying samples in a vacuum, which cryostat comprises a cold finger (2) equipped with a finger portion as well as a base portion (10) rigidly connected to the finger portion, which cryostat also includes a sample support (32) mounted on a free end for cooling of the finger portion, wherein this finger portion is placed in a vacuum chamber (4). The vacuum chamber is partially defined by a one-piece hollow part (6) defining an open cavity (46) with a single opening (44) through which the finger portion passes, and the sample support is located inside said open cavity (46). The chamber is also defined by a cryostat body (8) of which an external cylindrical surface with a circular cross-section (36) cooperates with a rotation device (62).

Abstract: The present invention provides a recondensing service neck for a cryostat. A service neck tube (22) provides access to the interior (10) of the cryostat. A recondensing surface is provided (44) for recondensing liquid cryogen boiled off from a liquid cryogen (12) within a cryostat; and a recondensing refrigerator (30) is provided for cooling the recondensing surface to below the boiling point of the cryogen.

Abstract: A cryostat assembly includes a thermal shield, a cooling system including a cold member maintained in use at a temperature lower than that of the thermal shield, a first adsorption pump assembly located at least partly within the thermal shield, a first switch thermally connecting the adsorption pump to the thermal shield, a second switch selectively, thermally connecting the adsorption pump to the cold member, and a first thermal link. The first adsorption pump includes a pumping chamber containing a working fluid and an adsorption pump in fluid communication with the pumping chamber. The first thermal link couples the pumping chamber to the cold member. During adsorption of the working fluid by the adsorption pump, a portion of the working fluid evaporates so as to cause the temperature within the pumping chamber to fall below the temperature of the cold member.