CRYOGEN-FREE HIGH TEMPERATURE SUPERCONDUCTING MAGNET WITH THERMAL RESERVOIR

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method of cooling a cryogen-free superconducting magnet assembly and a system equipped with same. SOLUTION: There are provided a cryogen-free superconducting magnet assembly comprising a high Tcsuperconducting magnet and a thermal reservoir in thermal contact with the high Tcsuperconducting magnet, a method of cooling the cryogen-free superconducting magnet assembly, and an MRI system having the cryogen-free superconducting magnet assembly. The method comprises steps of: providing a high Tcsuperconducting magnet thermally connected to a thermal reservoir that comprises a material having a heat capacity of at least about 0.065 J/gK at 25 K; providing a cryocooler thermally connected to the high Tcsuperconducting magnet; and withdrawing heat from the high Tcsuperconducting magnet without using a cryogen. COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI