Magnetic field generation device with alternative quench device
A magnetic field generation device for a magnetic resonance tomography apparatus has a vacuum container that encloses a magnetic coil made of superconducting material, and a conduit of a pipe system is connected with the magnetic coil so as to conduct heat. The pipe system and the conduit are filled with a coolant that places the magnetic coil in a superconducting state during normal operation of the tomography system. A valve connects the pipe system to the interior of a capture container. In the event of non-normal operation, such as a quench, evaporated coolant passes through the valve into the capture container.
1. A magnetic field generation device for a magnetic resonance tomography apparatus, said magnetic field generation device comprising:
a vacuum container that generates a vacuum inside of the vacuum container;
at least one magnetic coil made of superconducting material that is enclosed by said vacuum container;
a pipe system comprising at least one conduit in heat-transferring communication with said magnetic coil, said conduit containing a liquid coolant therein that places said superconducting material in a superconducting state during a normal operating condition of said magnetic resonance tomography apparatus, and at least a portion of said liquid coolant transitioning to a gas in a non-normal operating state of said magnetic resonance tomography apparatus;
a capture container; and
a valve connected with said pipe system that regulates passage of said gas between said pipe system and an interior of said capture container.
2. A magnetic field generation device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said capture container is formed by said vacuum container.
3. A magnetic field generation device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said magnetic coil is formed in a coil winding, and wherein said at least one conduit proceeds along said coil winding.
4. A magnetic field generation device as claimed in claim 1 comprising a pressure sensor in said pipe system that causes said valve to open upon detection of a pressure associated with said non-normal operating condition.
5. A magnetic field generation device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said valve comprises a pressure sensor that opens said valve upon sensing of a pressure associated with said non-normal operating condition.
6. A magnetic field generation device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said valve is a first valve, and comprising a second valve that regulates passage of said gas between said interior of said capture container and an ambient space outside of said capture container.
7. A magnetic field generation device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said conduit is a first conduit, and comprising a second conduit that places said capture container in a circulating fluid communication with a remainder of said pipe system.
8. A magnetic field generation device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said capture container is a reservoir that is connected to said pipe system only by said conduit, said reservoir having a reservoir outlet allowing said gas to exit said reservoir to an exterior of said reservoir.
9. A magnetic resonance tomography apparatus comprising:
a magnetic resonance data acquisition unit;
a vacuum container in said data acquisition unit that generates that generates a vacuum inside of the vacuum container;
at least one magnetic coil that generates a static magnetic field in said data acquisition device, said at least one magnetic coil being made of superconducting material that is enclosed by the vacuum container;
a pipe system comprising at least one conduit in heat-transferring communication with said magnetic coil, said conduit containing a liquid coolant therein that places said superconducting material in a superconducting state during a normal operating condition of said magnetic resonance tomography apparatus, and at least a portion of said liquid coolant transitioning to a gas in a non-normal operating state of said magnetic resonance tomography apparatus;
a capture container; and
a valve connected with said pipe system that regulates passage of said gas between said pipe system and an interior of said capture container.
10. A magnetic resonance tomography apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein said capture container is formed by said vacuum container.
11. A magnetic resonance tomography apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein said magnetic coil is formed in a coil winding, and wherein said at least one conduit proceeds along said coil winding.
12. A magnetic resonance tomography apparatus as claimed in claim 9 comprising a pressure sensor in said pipe system that causes said valve to open upon detection of a pressure associated with said non-normal operating condition.
13. A magnetic resonance tomography apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein said valve comprises a pressure sensor that opens said valve upon sensing of a pressure associated with said non-normal operating condition.
14. A magnetic resonance tomography apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein said valve is a first valve, and comprising a second valve that regulates passage of said gas between said interior of said capture container and an ambient space outside of said capture container.
15. A magnetic resonance tomography apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein said conduit is a first conduit, and comprising a second conduit that places said capture container in a circulating fluid communication with a remainder of said pipe system.
16. A magnetic resonance tomography apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein said capture container is a reservoir that is connected to said pipe system only by said conduit, said reservoir having a reservoir outlet allowing said gas to exit said reservoir to an exterior of said reservoir.