According to one embodiment, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to calculate an allowable amount of heat input to a superconducting magnet, the allowable amount being allocated to each of a plurality of imagings scheduled during a target period. The processing circuitry is configured to determine an imaging condition based on the allowable amount in the each of the plurality of imagings.

According to one embodiment, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to calculate an allowable amount of heat input to a superconducting magnet, the allowable amount being allocated to each of a plurality of imagings scheduled during a target period. The processing circuitry is configured to determine an imaging condition based on the allowable amount in the each of the plurality of imagings.

The invention relates to a superconducting electrical switch. The switch comprises two parallel branches of superconducting material in a loop, and a magnetic field generator which generates a time-varying magnetic field through the loop in a direction generally parallel to the axis of the loop. The magnetic field generator is selectively activated and de-activated to switch the electrical switch between a low-resistance state and a higher-resistance state. In the low-resistance state, there is no magnetic field through the loop and transport current flows through the loop. In the higher-resistance state, a magnetic field through the loop induces a screening current such that the sum of the transport current and the screening current is substantially equal to the critical current or is greater than the critical current of the superconducting material. The switch may be used in, for example, a rectifier or fault current limiter.

The invention relates to a superconducting electrical switch. The switch comprises two parallel branches of superconducting material in a loop, and a magnetic field generator which generates a time-varying magnetic field through the loop in a direction generally parallel to the axis of the loop. The magnetic field generator is selectively activated and de-activated to switch the electrical switch between a low-resistance state and a higher-resistance state. In the low-resistance state, there is no magnetic field through the loop and transport current flows through the loop. In the higher-resistance state, a magnetic field through the loop induces a screening current such that the sum of the transport current and the screening current is substantially equal to the critical current or is greater than the critical current of the superconducting material. The switch may be used in, for example, a rectifier or fault current limiter.

A superconducting fault current limiter (10) is shown. It comprises a cryostatic cooling system (20) for containing a cooling medium (26), a superconducting wire (30) immersed in the cooling medium (26) and configured to carry a current, the superconducting wire (30) becoming non-superconducting above a critical current density, and a plurality of heat dissipation elements spaced along and projecting from the superconducting wire (30), wherein the heat dissipation elements have an electrically insulating coating, and whereby the heat dissipation elements transfer heat from the superconducting wire (30) into the cooling medium (26).

A superconducting fault current limiter (10) is shown. It comprises a cryostatic cooling system (20) for containing a cooling medium (26), a superconducting wire (30) immersed in the cooling medium (26) and configured to carry a current, the superconducting wire (30) becoming non-superconducting above a critical current density, and a plurality of heat dissipation elements spaced along and projecting from the superconducting wire (30), wherein the heat dissipation elements have an electrically insulating coating, and whereby the heat dissipation elements transfer heat from the superconducting wire (30) into the cooling medium (26).

A superconducting coil module includes: a superconducting coil configured by winding a superconducting wire a plurality of times; and a magnetic dam wound along a shape of the superconducting coil, and electromagnetically coupled. The magnetic dam may include a conductive structure device insulated from the superconducting coil, and implemented by a conductive wire wound along the shape of the superconducting coil a plurality of times, and a control circuit controlling current which flows to the magnetic dam during charging and discharging of the superconducting coil between both terminals of the conductive wire.

A superconducting coil module includes: a superconducting coil configured by winding a superconducting wire a plurality of times; and a magnetic dam wound along a shape of the superconducting coil, and electromagnetically coupled. The magnetic dam may include a conductive structure device insulated from the superconducting coil, and implemented by a conductive wire wound along the shape of the superconducting coil a plurality of times, and a control circuit controlling current which flows to the magnetic dam during charging and discharging of the superconducting coil between both terminals of the conductive wire.

A quench protection system for a superconducting machine, such as a superconducting generator having a plurality of series-arranged superconducting coils, includes at least one switch heater electrically coupled to each of the superconducting coils. A quench protection switch is provided in series with the coils, wherein each switch heater is in thermal contact with the quench protection switch. A heater network is configured in parallel with the quench protection switch and is in thermal contact with each of the coils. A quench of any one of the coils triggers a quench of the quench protection switch, wherein the heater network then triggers a quench of all of the remaining coils.

A quench protection system for a superconducting machine, such as a superconducting generator having a plurality of series-arranged superconducting coils, includes at least one switch heater electrically coupled to each of the superconducting coils. A quench protection switch is provided in series with the coils, wherein each switch heater is in thermal contact with the quench protection switch. A heater network is configured in parallel with the quench protection switch and is in thermal contact with each of the coils. A quench of any one of the coils triggers a quench of the quench protection switch, wherein the heater network then triggers a quench of all of the remaining coils.