A magnetic resonance imaging magnet includes a ferromagnetic frame. A pair
of generally toroidal superconducting coil units overlie interfaces of
side walls incorporated in the frame. Each coil unit may include a vessel
having hollow support extensions extending into recesses in the side
walls. The coil units may further include elongated, low-thermal
conductance supports disposed within the support extensions. The frame
may include pole stems projecting inwardly from the side walls, and the
coils may be disposed in close proximity to the pole stems. Cryocoolers
may be mounted to the frame so that the cryocoolers are substantially
mechanically isolated from the coils of the coil units, but are in
thermal communication therewith. The cryocooler mountings may be arranged
for convenient servicing and installation of the cryocoolers.