A cryostat which is particularly useful for containing superconducting windings for a magnet to provide high strength magnetic fields for NMR imaging comprises a set of nested annular vessels in a suspension system which permits transport of the cryostat and magnet assembly with vacuum conditions intact. In particular, sets of transverse ties linking certain vessels to the next adjacent outer vessel are employed to prevent transverse motion of the cryostat assembly. Furthermore, during transport, a system of pins is employed to prevent axial motion, while at the same time minimizing thermal conductivity. During transport, the inner annular assemblies are locked in a fixed axial position which permits transport of the cryostat in a vertical position. A system of the present invention is therefore seen to satisfy the competing requirements for a strong internal support system for transport, but yet at the same time provides a suspension system which does not significantly impair the thermal insulation requirements of good cryostat design.
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