Apparatus and System to Enhance Thermal Gradients in Cryogenic Devices

Abstract

Apparatus and methods to create and/or enhance thermal gradients in a body of cryogenic liquid contained in a vessel that is actively cooled by a cryocooler is provided. With such apparatus and/or methods temperature in one part of the body of liquid can be made lower than the temperature in another part of the body of liquid. Thus, the apparatus and/or methods enables cryogenic operation of a device at a temperature that is below that of the boiling point of the cryogenic liquid while simultaneously allowing the liquid to be at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure to obviate the risk of air entering the cryogenic space. These apparatus and/or methods may find use in cryogenic systems used for magnetic resonance imaging, cyclotrons for radioisotope generation, cyclotrons for radiation therapy, high-energy particle accelerators, magnet systems for crystal growth and the like.

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