Patent ID: 8134434

Claim:
A magnet system for generating a magnetic field, said system comprising: a superconducting magnet structured to generate magnetic fields and having a predetermined full field current rating; a non-reversing current flow non-persistent switch comprising a non-inductive superconducting current carrying path connected in parallel to said superconducting magnet, said switch configured to only carry a level of current that is less than 100% of the current required to obtain a full field by said superconducting magnet, said non-reversing switch being configured to be connected to a current supply and to supply current continuously to said superconducting magnet during generation of said magnetic fields, wherein the current supply is not removed from the magnet after the switch transitions back to the full field status; and a heater element thermally coupled to said switch, said heater element being configured, in combination with said switch, to vary the current level applied to said superconducting magnet.