Patent ID: 7263841
Filing Date: 2007-09-04
Classification: F25B,F25D,G01R

Abstract:
1. A superconducting magnet system comprising: (A) a superconducting magnet and a cryogenic shield for providing cooling to the superconducting magnet; (B) a cryogen vessel containing liquid cryogen; and (C) a heat pipe extending from the cryogen vessel to the cryogenic shield, the heat pipe having a wall structure and a working fluid, the wall structure configured such that the working fluid wicks in the wall structure to effect heat transfer from the cryogenic shield to the liquid cryogen within the cryogen vessel thereby to provide further cooling, independently of the cryocooler, from the liquid cryogen within the cryogen vessel to the cryogenic shield; (D) a cryocooler in contact with the cryogenic shield but not the cryogen vessel to provide refrigeration direct to the cryogenic shield and therefore the superconducting magnet and indirectly to the liquid cryogen within the cryogen vessel through the heat transfer effected within the heat pipe between the cryogenic shield and the liquid cryogen such that when the cryocooler is operating boil-off of the liquid cryogen is prevented by subcooling the liquid cryogen within the cryogen vessel through the heat pipe and when the cryocooler is not operating the heat transfer from the cryogenic shield to the heat pipe will evaporate the liquid cryogen within the cryogen vessel top provide shield cooling and therefore, the cooling to the superconducting magnet.