An alternative approach to flux pumping in superconducting devices is described for fast and extremely precise tuning of the current during persistent mode operation. Rather than bringing in new flux from outside the circuit, the alternative approach stores a small flux in a tunable inductor (also referred to herein as a “flux bank”) at the initial point of powering. Flux can be transferred back and forth from this bank to the main coil by simply changing the inductance of the bank. This allows for fine and fast adjustments of the persistent current without the use of thermal switches found in other approaches (which limit the adjustment speed and accuracy).

An alternative approach to flux pumping in superconducting devices is described for fast and extremely precise tuning of the current during persistent mode operation. Rather than bringing in new flux from outside the circuit, the alternative approach stores a small flux in a tunable inductor (also referred to herein as a “flux bank”) at the initial point of powering. Flux can be transferred back and forth from this bank to the main coil by simply changing the inductance of the bank. This allows for fine and fast adjustments of the persistent current without the use of thermal switches found in other approaches (which limit the adjustment speed and accuracy).

In a magnet system: —a superconducting main field magnet (7) generates a magnetic field in a first sample volume (16), —a superconducting additional field magnet (22) generates another field in a second sample volume (24), —a cryostat (2) has a cooled main coil container (6), an evacuated RT (room temperature) covering (4), and an RT bore (14) which extends through the main and the additional field magnets, and —a cooled additional coil container (21) in a vacuum. The RT covering has a flange connection (17) with an opening (19) through which the RT bore extends, a front end of the additional coil container protrudes through the opening into the RT covering such that the additional field magnet also protrudes through the opening into the RT covering, and a closure structure (20) seals the RT covering between the flange connection and the RT bore.

In a magnet system: —a superconducting main field magnet (7) generates a magnetic field in a first sample volume (16), —a superconducting additional field magnet (22) generates another field in a second sample volume (24), —a cryostat (2) has a cooled main coil container (6), an evacuated RT (room temperature) covering (4), and an RT bore (14) which extends through the main and the additional field magnets, and —a cooled additional coil container (21) in a vacuum. The RT covering has a flange connection (17) with an opening (19) through which the RT bore extends, a front end of the additional coil container protrudes through the opening into the RT covering such that the additional field magnet also protrudes through the opening into the RT covering, and a closure structure (20) seals the RT covering between the flange connection and the RT bore.

A method of protecting a superconducting magnet from quenches, the superconducting magnet having at least one primary coil comprising high temperature superconductor, HTS, material. A secondary HTS tape is provided, the secondary HTS tape being in proximity to and electrically insulated from the primary coil, and being configured to cease superconducting at a lower temperature than the primary coil during operation of the magnet. A loss of superconductivity in the secondary HTS tape is detected. In response to said detection, energy is dumped from the primary coil into an external resistive load.

A method of protecting a superconducting magnet from quenches, the superconducting magnet having at least one primary coil comprising high temperature superconductor, HTS, material. A secondary HTS tape is provided, the secondary HTS tape being in proximity to and electrically insulated from the primary coil, and being configured to cease superconducting at a lower temperature than the primary coil during operation of the magnet. A loss of superconductivity in the secondary HTS tape is detected. In response to said detection, energy is dumped from the primary coil into an external resistive load.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a displacer for reducing the consumption of a cryogen used in a superconductive magnet device. The displacer may occupy some space within the cryogen storage cavity or limit the cryogen into a relatively small space surrounding a superconductive coil in the cryogen storage cavity. The displacer may also include a displacer cavity that may be vacuum or contain a cryogen or another substance.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a displacer for reducing the consumption of a cryogen used in a superconductive magnet device. The displacer may occupy some space within the cryogen storage cavity or limit the cryogen into a relatively small space surrounding a superconductive coil in the cryogen storage cavity. The displacer may also include a displacer cavity that may be vacuum or contain a cryogen or another substance.

A method, a system, and an article of manufacture are disclosed for obtaining imaging data from human head, jaws, sinuses, extremities and even full body, while standing, sitting or lying down. The disclosed MRI system is configured to accommodate patient shoulders in some embodiments. In various embodiments the cross section of the bore may be circular, oval, or any other appropriate and useful geometric shape. In some embodiments the body of the MRI scanner is rotatably mounted on a variable height stand to adjust for any orientation of the patient and patient's body parts.

A method, a system, and an article of manufacture are disclosed for obtaining imaging data from human head, jaws, sinuses, extremities and even full body, while standing, sitting or lying down. The disclosed MRI system is configured to accommodate patient shoulders in some embodiments. In various embodiments the cross section of the bore may be circular, oval, or any other appropriate and useful geometric shape. In some embodiments the body of the MRI scanner is rotatably mounted on a variable height stand to adjust for any orientation of the patient and patient's body parts.