An anomaly detection system comprising a diagnostic interface and a data acquisition system capable of recording data indicating variation of voltages at tapping points in a superconducting magnet. Data representing those variations in voltages may be stored as a data log and a processor may analyze the data in order to identify a mechanical impact.

An anomaly detection system comprising a diagnostic interface and a data acquisition system capable of recording data indicating variation of voltages at tapping points in a superconducting magnet. Data representing those variations in voltages may be stored as a data log and a processor may analyze the data in order to identify a mechanical impact.

A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system includes a superconducting magnet assembly with a superconducting field coil for generating a stationary uniform main magnetic field. A gradient system includes a gradient coil for generating gradient magnetic fields and a gradient amplifier which is connectable to the gradient coil for driving the gradient coil. A switch assembly is adapted for galvanically coupling the superconducting field coil to the gradient amplifier. In this way, it is possible for energizing and discharging a superconducting magnet of an MRI system in an easy and cost-efficient way.

A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system includes a superconducting magnet assembly with a superconducting field coil for generating a stationary uniform main magnetic field. A gradient system includes a gradient coil for generating gradient magnetic fields and a gradient amplifier which is connectable to the gradient coil for driving the gradient coil. A switch assembly is adapted for galvanically coupling the superconducting field coil to the gradient amplifier. In this way, it is possible for energizing and discharging a superconducting magnet of an MRI system in an easy and cost-efficient way.

An electrical spool device having at least one coil winding composed of a superconducting strip conductor is specified. The strip conductor includes: a strip-type substrate having two main surfaces; at least one planar superconducting layer applied on a first main surface of the substrate; and at least one outer electrical coupling layer applied on at least one of the main surfaces of the conductor composite thus formed. In this case, the coupling layer brings about an electrical coupling of adjacent turns of the coil winding, wherein the electrical coupling is dimensioned such that the time constant for electrical charging and/or discharging of the coil winding is in the range of 0.02 seconds and 2 hours.

An electrical spool device having at least one coil winding composed of a superconducting strip conductor is specified. The strip conductor includes: a strip-type substrate having two main surfaces; at least one planar superconducting layer applied on a first main surface of the substrate; and at least one outer electrical coupling layer applied on at least one of the main surfaces of the conductor composite thus formed. In this case, the coupling layer brings about an electrical coupling of adjacent turns of the coil winding, wherein the electrical coupling is dimensioned such that the time constant for electrical charging and/or discharging of the coil winding is in the range of 0.02 seconds and 2 hours.

Various implementations of the invention correspond to an improved vortex flux generator. In some implementations of the invention, the improved vortex flux generator includes a magnetic circuit configured to produce a magnetic field; a quench controller configured to provide a variable current; a vortex material configured to form and subsequently dissipate a vortex in response to the variable current, wherein upon formation of the vortex, a magnetic field density surrounding the vortex is urged to decrease, and wherein upon subsequent dissipation of the vortex, the urging to decrease ceases and the magnetic field density increases prior to a reformation of the vortex, and wherein the decrease of the magnetic field density and the increase of the magnetic field density correspond to a modulation of the magnetic field; an inductor disposed in a vicinity of the vortex such that the modulation of the magnetic field induces an electrical current in the inductor; and a dissipation superconductor electrically disposed in parallel with the vortex material and configured to carry, without quenching, an entirety of the variable current during dissipation of the vortex in the vortex material.

Various implementations of the invention correspond to an improved vortex flux generator. In some implementations of the invention, the improved vortex flux generator includes a magnetic circuit configured to produce a magnetic field; a quench controller configured to provide a variable current; a vortex material configured to form and subsequently dissipate a vortex in response to the variable current, wherein upon formation of the vortex, a magnetic field density surrounding the vortex is urged to decrease, and wherein upon subsequent dissipation of the vortex, the urging to decrease ceases and the magnetic field density increases prior to a reformation of the vortex, and wherein the decrease of the magnetic field density and the increase of the magnetic field density correspond to a modulation of the magnetic field; an inductor disposed in a vicinity of the vortex such that the modulation of the magnetic field induces an electrical current in the inductor; and a dissipation superconductor electrically disposed in parallel with the vortex material and configured to carry, without quenching, an entirety of the variable current during dissipation of the vortex in the vortex material.

A partially insulating layer for use in an HTS magnet coil. The partially insulating layer comprises an insulating body 401 having within it a set of linking tracks and a set of pickup tracks. Each linking track is electrically conductive and is electrically connected to first and second surfaces of the partially insulating layer, in order to provide an electrical path between said first and second surfaces. Each pickup track is electrically conductive and is inductively coupled to a respective linking track, and electrically isolated from the first and second surfaces. Each of the pickup tracks is configured for connection to a current measuring device in order to measure a current induced in the pickup track by a change in current flowing in the respective linking track.

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.