Superconducting switch cooled by means of internal cavity filled with liquid or gaseous coolant

Abstract

When testing or powering up a magnet in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device, a switch (10) is provided that switches a winding (12) between resistive and superconductive modes. The switch (10) comprises a housing (26) that contains a winding (12) wound about a bobbin (14), and an internal coolant cavity (16) that contains coolant that cools the winding (12). A baffle (20) separates the internal coolant cavity (16) from an external coolant reservoir (18). The baffle has small apertures that permit influx of liquid coolant into the internal cavity (16) to cool the winding. At high temperatures, the coolant in the internal cavity (16) vaporizes causing the winding to further increase its temperature and resistance. Upon reduction of heat to the winding (12), the winding cools sufficiently to permit influx of liquid coolant, thereby restoring a superconductive mode of operation to the winding (12).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.