A magnetic resonance imaging device is described that includes multiple magnetic coils to generate a magnetic field. Additionally, the magnetic resonance imaging device may include one or more radial gaps within some or all of the magnetic coils (e.g., primary magnetic coils, bucking coils, and so forth) in which radial spacers may be located to help preserve the homogeneity of the magnetic isocenter of the primary magnetic coils during operation.

A superconducting magnet assembly with a reinforced coil region (3) having a layered conductor coil assembly (10) forming cylindrical conductor layers (11, . . . ), each having plural circular conductor turns (12) centered around and aligned along the axis of cylindrical symmetry (z). The reinforced coil region further includes a layered corset coil assembly (20) having an inner radius bigger than an outer radius of the layered conductor coil assembly (10), and a corset sheet assembly (30) including a foil element forming a corset sheet (31, . . . ). A cross section of the corset sheet with any plane perpendicular to the z-axis forms a segmented circle centered around the z-axis, the radius of which is bigger than that of one of the conductor layers and smaller than that of another of the conductor layers. In addition, the segmented circle covers at least 90% of a full circle but has at most four segments. The assembly provides mechanical reinforcement against radial magnetic forces.

A toroidal field coil. The toroidal field coil comprises a central column and a plurality of return limbs. Each return limb comprises a plurality of double pancake, DP, coils, the DP coils comprising high temperature superconducting, HTS, tapes. The DP coils are arranged such that a section of the DP coil which passes through the central column is positioned such that the tapes are aligned substantially with the local magnetic field during operation of the toroidal field coil. At least two DP coils at the outside of each return limb are bent about an axis parallel to the central column such that they each curve inwards towards each other.

An apparatus and method for winding electrical coils (electromagnets) is described. A self-propelled and self-referencing winding vehicle uses features on a winding bobbin to guide the direction and/or orientation of the vehicle, while laying electrical conductor material (e.g., high-temperature superconducting (HTS) tapes) as it traverses the bobbin. The vehicle may wind electrical coils with complex shapes. In some embodiments, the self-propelled, self-referencing (SPSR) vehicle may perform other magnet fabrication and assembly procedures.

Described herein are concepts, system and techniques which provide a means to construct robust high-field superconducting magnets using simple fabrication techniques and modular components that scale well toward commercialization. The resulting magnet assembly—which utilizes non-insulated, high temperature superconducting tapes (HTS) and provides for optimized coolant pathways—is inherently strong structurally, which enables maximum utilization of the high magnetic fields available with HTS technology. In addition, the concepts described herein provide for control of quench-induced current distributions within the tape stack and surrounding superstructure to safely dissipate quench energy, while at the same time obtaining acceptable magnet charge time. The net result is a structurally and thermally robust, high-field magnet assembly that is passively protected against quench fault conditions.

A Conductor on Molded Barrel (COMB) magnet assembly optimized for High Temperature Superconducting (HTS) materials. The magnet assembly comprises a magnetic coil(s) carried by a conductor support structure and configured in cosine-theta geometry. Created using additive manufacturing, the conductor support structure features a continuous cable channel that fittedly carries and positions elongated straight portion(s) of the magnetic coil(s) parallel to a magnetic axis. The conductor support structure may be cylindrically shaped and longitudinally bored, with the continuous cable channel comprising an outer channel portion (distal on the cylinder) and an inner channel portion (proximal on the cylinder). A transition hole that joins the outer channel portion and the inner channel portion allows a single magnetic coil to be wound along both the outer and inner surfaces of the conductor support structure. The conductor support structure may be fabricated as longitudinally-symmetrical halves, and secured for operation using azimuthal and/or midplane shims.

A superconductor (10, 30) has a twisted structure and is adapted to form windings in a superconducting coil. The superconductor (10, 30) comprises at least one superconductor wire. The superconductor further comprises at least one elongated electrical insulation element (18, 37). The elongated electrical insulation element(s) (18, 37) is/are twisted with or around the superconductor wire(s) in order to create a separation distance with an adjacent superconductor wire in a neighbouring winding. The elongated electrical insulation element(s) (18, 37) and the superconductor wire(s) may be twisted in one and the same twisting operation.

A monitoring device for use in a cryogenic system. The monitoring device comprises first and second conducting elements and a current detector. The first conducting element comprises high temperature superconducting, HTS, material and is configured for connection to a current source and insertion into the cryogenic system. The second conducting element comprises HTS material and is connected in parallel to the first conducting element by first and second joints. The current detector is configured to detect a current in the second conducting element. When the HTS material in each of the first and second conducting elements is in a superconducting state, the resistance, R.sub.T, of the first conducting element between the first and second joints, is less than the sum, R.sub.B, of the resistance of the second conducting element between the first and second joints and the resistances of the first and second joints.

A high temperature superconducting, HTS, field coil. The HTS field coil comprises a plurality of turns and a partially insulating layer. The plurality of turns comprises HTS material and metallic stabilizer. The partially insulating layer separates the turns, such that current can be shared between turns via the partially insulating layer. The partially insulating layer comprises an electrically conducting layer, and first and second insulating layers. The electrically conducting layer is coated on one side with the first insulating layer and on the other side with the second insulating layer. Each insulating layer has one or more windows through which electrical contact can be made between the turns and the electrically conducting layer. The windows in the first insulating layer are offset in the plane of the electrically conducting strip from the windows in the second insulating layer.

Described herein are concepts, system and techniques which provide a means to construct robust high-field superconducting magnets using simple fabrication techniques and modular components that scale well toward commercialization. The resulting magnet assembly—which utilizes non-insulated, high temperature superconducting tapes (HTS) and provides for optimized coolant pathways—is inherently strong structurally, which enables maximum utilization of the high magnetic fields available with HTS technology. In addition, the concepts described herein provide for control of quench-induced current distributions within the tape stack and surrounding superstructure to safely dissipate quench energy, while at the same time obtaining acceptable magnet charge time. The net result is a structurally and thermally robust, high-field magnet assembly that is passively protected against quench fault conditions.