Shorting contacts for closing a superconducting current path operated by a bellows arrangement responsive to the pressure of a cryogenic medium used in cooling the contacts

An improved shorting element for closing the superconducting current path of a superconducting magnet coil cooled by a cryogenic cooling medium comprising:

• a. a first fixed contact made of a stabilized superconductive material coupled to one side of said superconducting coil;
• b. a second movble contact made of a stabilized superconductive material coupled to the other side of superconducting coil;
• c. a first cryogenic medium surrounding said first and second contacts, said cryogenic medium at a temperature maintaining said contacts in the superconducting state;
• d. closing means for bringing said first and second contacts into contact with each other;
• e. opening means for separating said first and second contacts, at least one of said closing and opening means being actuating means responsive to the application of a pressure medium;
• and
• f. means for supplying a second cryogenic medium at a temperature approximately equal to that of said first cryogenic medium to said actuating means.