Support structure for a superconducting coil

Abstract

A superconducting device, such as a superconducting rotor for a generator or motor or a superconducting magnet for a magnetic resonance imaging machine, etc. A vacuum enclosure surrounds and is spaced apart from a superconductive coil. Apparatus supports the coil in the enclosure during operation of the device, such apparatus including a first thermally insulative honeycomb assemblage positioned between the coil and the enclosure. In a first preferred construction, the first honeycomb assemblage is positioned between and connected to the coil and a thermal shield, and a second honeycomb assemblage is positioned between and connected to the shield and the enclosure. In a second preferred construction, the second honeycomb assemblage is replaced with a first suspension strap.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.