A precision refrigerating unit integrating cold water and air conditioning for a magnetic resonance device

Abstract

The application provides a precision refrigeration unit integrating cold water and air conditioning for a magnetic resonance device, which comprises an indoor unit and an outdoor unit connected with the indoor unit, the indoor unit comprises a refrigeration system, a cold water system, an air conditioning system and an electric control system, and the outdoor unit comprises a condensation system, wherein the refrigeration system is connected with the condensation system, the cold water system and the air conditioning system respectively, the refrigeration system and the condensation system provide refrigerant for evaporators in the cold water system and the air conditioning system, and the refrigerant after heat exchange in the cold water system and the air conditioning system is recovered to the condensation system through the refrigeration system, the cold water system provides cold water for heat generating components of the magnetic resonance device, the air conditioning system provides temperature and humidity within a preset range for a scanning room and a device room of the magnetic resonance device, and the electric control system is electrically connected with the refrigeration system, the condensation system, the cold water system and the air conditioning system respectively. The application is beneficial to solving the problems of high cost, large occupied area, high construction difficulty and low reliability of the prior art.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of medical equipment cooling technology, specifically to a precision refrigeration unit that integrates chilled water and air conditioning for magnetic resonance imaging equipment. Background Technology

[0002] With increasing health awareness, the demand for medical examinations is also growing, and more and more people are proactively undergoing MRI scans to rule out potential health risks. As a result, more and more hospitals are equipping themselves with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) equipment. MRI equipment generates a significant amount of heat during operation. Some of this heat needs to be removed by cooling water and released into the atmosphere via a refrigeration system; the heat generated by the control cabinet and electrical cabinet needs to be cooled by precision air conditioning units, which are also ultimately released into the atmosphere. Because of the strong magnetic field in the scanning room, ordinary independent air conditioners cannot be installed. Therefore, the precision air conditioning units also serve as comfort air conditioning in the scanning room to ensure patient comfort during the scan.

[0003] Existing technical solutions typically require three devices to meet the operational requirements of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system: an outdoor primary chiller, an indoor secondary heat exchanger, and a precision air conditioning unit. The outdoor primary chiller and the indoor secondary heat exchanger together form a chilled water cooling system. The outdoor primary chiller provides coolant at 5–15°C year-round, which is pumped to the indoor secondary heat exchanger. The indoor secondary heat exchanger uses the low-temperature coolant as a cold source to cool deionized water in a plate heat exchanger. After cooling, the deionized water is pumped to the MRI equipment by a secondary water pump to achieve the desired cooling effect.

[0004] Precision air conditioning units provide a constant temperature and humidity environment for equipment rooms and scanning rooms through independent compression refrigeration cycles. A precision air conditioning unit consists of an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. The indoor unit controls the temperature and humidity, while the outdoor unit releases heat into the air. In winter, if indoor heating is required, the electric heating function of the indoor unit provides the heat.

[0005] Existing technical solutions require the simultaneous configuration of an outdoor primary chiller, an indoor secondary heat exchanger, and a precision air conditioning unit during the operation of an MRI machine, resulting in high costs. The outdoor primary chiller and its outdoor unit need to be installed outdoors, while the indoor secondary heat exchanger and its indoor unit need to be installed indoors, occupying significant outdoor and indoor space. The outdoor primary chiller provides low-temperature coolant to the indoor secondary heat exchanger, requiring water pipes for connection, which is difficult to install and weld, and carries the risk of leakage. The connection between the indoor and outdoor units of the precision air conditioning unit requires copper pipes and cables, necessitating two independent indoor-outdoor connection pipelines, further complicating construction and demanding technical expertise. Furthermore, these three devices work in conjunction with the MRI machine; a malfunction in any one of them will render the MRI machine inoperable. Utility Model Content

[0006] In view of this, the main objective of this application is to provide a precision refrigeration unit that integrates chilled water and air conditioning for magnetic resonance equipment, which helps to solve the problems of high cost, large footprint, difficult construction and low reliability of existing solutions.

[0007] This application provides a precision refrigeration unit for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) equipment that integrates chilled water and air conditioning. It includes an indoor unit and an outdoor unit connected to the indoor unit. The indoor unit includes a refrigeration system, a chilled water system, an air conditioning system, and an electrical control system. The outdoor unit includes a condensing system. The refrigeration system is connected to the condensing system, the chilled water system, and the air conditioning system. The refrigeration system and the condensing system provide refrigerant to the evaporators in the chilled water system and the air conditioning system. The refrigerant, after heat exchange with the chilled water system and the air conditioning system, is recovered to the condensing system through the refrigeration system. The chilled water system provides chilled water to the heating components of the MRI equipment. The air conditioning system provides a preset temperature and humidity range for the scanning room and equipment room of the MRI equipment. The electrical control system is electrically connected to the refrigeration system, the condensing system, the chilled water system, and the air conditioning system.

[0008] As described above, this application consists of two parts: an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. The indoor and outdoor units transfer heat via refrigerant; that is, the refrigeration system of the indoor unit and the condensation system of the outdoor unit transfer heat via refrigerant. The chilled water system of the indoor unit uses a water pump to deliver low-temperature water for heat exchange with the various heat-generating components of the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device. The air conditioning system controls the temperature and humidity of the environment by supplying air to the equipment room and scanning room. The electrical control system monitors and provides feedback on the operation of various components in other systems in real time. When any system malfunctions, the electrical control system can promptly transmit a fault signal to the central processing unit of the MRI device to ensure its safe and reliable operation. This precision refrigeration unit, through its refrigeration system, condensation system, and chilled water system... The integrated design of the five systems—water system, air conditioning system, and electrical control system—reduces unnecessary duplicate parts. It integrates the equipment that originally required three separate installations (outdoor primary chiller unit, indoor secondary heat exchanger unit, and precision air conditioning unit) into a single integrated unit comprising indoor and outdoor units. This not only reduces the number of moving parts, lowering costs and space requirements, but also simplifies the installation process. The installation of this precision refrigeration unit only requires connecting the copper pipes of the indoor and outdoor units of the air conditioning system within the indoor unit, halving the construction effort and simplifying installation and maintenance. Compared to traditional designs, this precision refrigeration unit has significantly fewer moving parts, greatly improving reliability and preventing losses due to downtime of the MRI equipment caused by malfunctions.

[0009] Optionally, the refrigeration system includes: an inlet end of a dryer filter connected to an outlet end of a condensing system; an outlet end of the dryer filter connected to a sight glass; a pipe equipped with a sight glass connected to a first branch equipped with a first electronic expansion valve and a second branch equipped with a second electronic expansion valve; the first branch connected to a chilled water system and merges with a pipe equipped with a compressor; the second branch connected to an air conditioning system and merges with a pipe equipped with a compressor; return gas temperature sensors are respectively installed at the outlet ends of the first and second branches; the main inlet valve of an electric three-way valve is connected to the outlet end of the compressor; the first branch outlet valve of the electric three-way valve is connected to a third branch; the third branch connected to the air conditioning system and merges with the inlet end of the first branch; the second branch outlet valve of the electric three-way valve is connected to the inlet end of the condensing system; a high-pressure sensor is installed on the pipe connected to the second branch outlet valve; and a low-pressure sensor is installed at the inlet end of the compressor.

[0010] As described above, the first branch provides heat exchange for deionized water in the chilled water system, the second branch provides heat exchange for filtered air in the air conditioning system, and the third branch, opened by an electric three-way valve, supplements heat to the air conditioning system in winter, reducing energy loss; the dryer filter removes moisture and other impurities from the refrigerant, protecting other components in the refrigeration system from corrosion and blockage; the sight glass checks for moisture in the refrigerant and for a lack of refrigerant in the pipeline; the electronic expansion valve reduces pressure by depressurizing the liquefied high-pressure refrigerant into a low-temperature, low-pressure liquid state; the high-pressure and low-pressure sensors allow the system to monitor the pressure at the compressor inlet and outlet, promptly detecting and handling abnormalities to prevent equipment damage; and the return gas temperature sensor helps monitor the refrigerant temperature in real time and analyze for any abnormalities.

[0011] Optionally, the air conditioning system includes, from the air inlet to the air outlet, an air filter, a finned evaporator, a heat recovery unit, a humidifier, and a fan, wherein an air temperature sensor and a humidity sensor are installed above the fan, a water collection tray is installed below the finned evaporator, the heat recovery unit, and the humidifier, and a one-way valve is installed on the third branch connected to the outlet of the heat recovery unit.

[0012] As described above, the air filter located at the air inlet effectively removes dust, particulate matter, and other impurities from the air entering the air conditioning system; the finned evaporator cools the air by absorbing heat through refrigerant evaporation to lower the air temperature; the heat recovery unit can preheat the cold air entering the air conditioning system in winter using waste heat generated by the magnetic resonance equipment, improving energy efficiency; the humidifier adds an appropriate amount of water to the air in a dry environment to maintain a suitable humidity level, preventing the air from becoming too dry and affecting comfort or damaging certain equipment; the air temperature and humidity sensors located above the blower can monitor the temperature and humidity of the delivered air in real time; the drip tray located below the finned evaporator, heat recovery unit, and humidifier collects condensate that may be generated during operation, preventing water dripping that could damage the equipment or cause other safety hazards; the one-way valve installed on the third branch connected to the heat recovery unit outlet prevents refrigerant backflow, ensuring that the refrigerant in the air conditioning system flows in the predetermined direction.

[0013] Optionally, the condensing system includes: a condenser fan; a finned condenser disposed on the air inlet side of the condenser fan, the inlet end of the finned condenser being connected to a pipeline with a second diversion outlet valve, and the outlet end of the finned condenser being connected to a dryer filter.

[0014] As mentioned above, the finned condenser installed on the air inlet side of the condenser fan uses the forced airflow generated by the condenser fan to accelerate the heat dissipation on the surface of the finned condenser, so that the refrigerant can be transformed from a high-temperature, high-pressure gas into a low-temperature, high-pressure liquid in a short time.

[0015] Optionally, the chilled water system includes: a heat exchange pipeline, from its inlet end to its outlet end, on which a plate evaporator, a water tank, a water pump, a chilled water temperature sensor, and a water pressure sensor are sequentially installed. The inlet end of the heat exchange pipeline is connected to the inlet branch of multiple magnetic resonance circuits, and the outlet end of the heat exchange pipeline is connected to the outlet branch of multiple magnetic resonance circuits. A flow sensor is installed on some of the inlet branches.

[0016] As described above, the plate evaporator provides the necessary low-temperature deionized water to the various heating components of the magnetic resonance equipment; the water tank acts as a buffer container, smoothing water flow fluctuations and ensuring stable operation of the chilled water system under different loads; the water pump provides power for the water supply; the chilled water temperature sensor monitors the temperature of the outflowing low-temperature deionized water to ensure it meets the heat exchange requirements of the magnetic resonance equipment; the water pressure sensor monitors the water pressure within the chilled water system to ensure it remains within a safe range, as excessively high or low pressure may lead to chilled water system malfunctions or reduced efficiency; flow sensors installed on some inlet branches of the magnetic resonance circuit monitor the water flow in real time, enabling the electronic control system to precisely adjust the water volume of multiple magnetic resonance circuits according to actual needs, ensuring optimal cooling performance for each circuit and improving the overall energy efficiency ratio of the precision refrigeration unit.

[0017] Optionally, the second branch connects to the air conditioning system, including: the second branch connects to a finned evaporator.

[0018] As shown above, the second branch is connected to the finned evaporator in the air conditioning system through a path equipped with a second electronic expansion valve. This allows the electronic control system to precisely adjust the amount of refrigerant entering the finned evaporator according to actual needs, thereby achieving precise control of the cooling capacity of the air conditioning system.

[0019] Optionally, the third branch connects to the air conditioning system, including: the third branch connects in sequence to the heat recovery unit and the one-way valve.

[0020] As described above, the electric three-way valve prioritizes guiding the high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant through the third branch, releasing heat via the heat recovery unit. In winter, when heating is required, the waste heat generated during the operation of the magnetic resonance equipment is used to preheat the air entering the air conditioning system, achieving efficient energy reuse. The one-way valve can effectively prevent refrigerant backflow.

[0021] Optionally, the outlet ends of the first branch and the second branch are respectively provided with return air temperature sensors, including: the return air temperature sensors include a cold water return air temperature sensor and an air conditioning return air temperature sensor, the outlet end of the first branch is provided with a cold water return air temperature sensor, and the outlet end of the second branch is provided with an air conditioning return air temperature sensor.

[0022] As described above, a dedicated chilled water return gas temperature sensor is installed on the first branch, and a dedicated air conditioning return gas temperature sensor is installed on the second branch. This allows for real-time monitoring of the refrigerant temperature returning to the compressor from the plate evaporator and finned evaporator, enabling the electronic control system to precisely adjust the operating status of each system according to the actual operating conditions.

[0023] Optionally, the first branch is connected to a chilled water system, including: the first branch is connected to a plate evaporator, which performs heat exchange treatment on high-temperature water from the inlet branches of multiple magnetic resonance circuits.

[0024] As described above, in the plate evaporator, the low-temperature, low-pressure liquid refrigerant from the first branch exchanges heat with the high-temperature water, ensuring that the required low-temperature cooling water is provided for each heat-generating component of the magnetic resonance equipment.

[0025] Optionally, the air conditioning system is also equipped with multiple air ducts, each of which independently provides the scanning room and equipment room with their own preset temperature and humidity ranges.

[0026] As a result, the scanning room focuses more on patient comfort and usually needs to be maintained within a relatively comfortable temperature and humidity range; while the equipment room focuses more on maintaining the best environmental conditions for equipment operation. By setting up corresponding independent air ducts, the temperature and humidity of the air supplied are precisely adjusted according to the specific needs of each room to ensure that both areas can obtain the best working environment.

[0027] In summary, the precision refrigeration unit for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) equipment provided in this application, which integrates chilled water and air conditioning, not only provides low-temperature cooling water at different flow rates for multiple MRI loops required by the MRI equipment, but also provides precise temperature and humidity control for the human-machine environment, i.e., providing constant temperature and humidity functions for the scanning room and equipment room. This precision refrigeration unit has a simple installation structure, occupies a small area, and recovers the heat generated by the MRI equipment in winter to supply the human-machine environment, exhibiting high reliability. Material costs, installation costs, and manufacturing costs are all significantly reduced. Compared with traditional MRI cooling solutions, this application reduces costs by 30% and occupies half the space. Installation only requires connecting copper pipes between the indoor and outdoor units, reducing construction intensity by half. The number of repetitive moving parts is greatly reduced, significantly improving reliability and avoiding losses due to equipment downtime caused by malfunctions. Once installed, the MRI equipment continuously generates at least 6.5kW of heat, which this application also recovers as a heating source for the winter air conditioning system, achieving 100% energy savings compared to traditional electric heating solutions. Attached Figure Description

[0028] The various technical features of this application and their relationships will be further explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings are exemplary; some technical features are not shown to scale, and some drawings may omit technical features commonly used in the art to which this application pertains that are not essential for understanding and implementing this application, or may additionally show technical features that are not essential for understanding and implementing this application. In other words, the combination of various technical features shown in the drawings is not intended to limit this application. Furthermore, throughout this application, the same reference numerals refer to the same things. Specific descriptions of the drawings are as follows:

[0029] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of a precision refrigeration unit that integrates chilled water and air conditioning for magnetic resonance imaging equipment, as described in this application.

[0030] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0031] 1-Refrigeration system, 101-Compressor, 102-Electric three-way valve, a-Main inlet valve, b-First branch outlet valve, c-Second branch outlet valve, 103-High pressure sensor, 104-Drier filter, 105-Sight glass, 106-First electronic expansion valve, 107-Second electronic expansion valve, 108-Cold water return gas temperature sensor, 109-Air conditioning return gas temperature sensor, 110-Low pressure sensor;

[0032] 2-Condensing system, 201-Finned condenser, 202-Condensing fan;

[0033] 3-Cold water system, 301-Plate evaporator, 302-Water tank, 303-Water pump, 304-Cold water temperature sensor, 305-Water pressure sensor, 306-Flow sensor;

[0034] 4-Air conditioning system, 401-Air filter, 402-Finned evaporator, 403-Heat recovery unit, 404-Humidifier, 405-Drain tray, 406-Fan supply, 407-Air temperature sensor, 408-Humidity sensor, 409-One-way valve;

[0035] 5. Electrical control system.

[0036] The accompanying drawings illustrate specific embodiments of this application, which will be described in more detail below. These drawings and descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the concept in any way, but rather to illustrate the concept of this application to those skilled in the art through reference to particular embodiments. Detailed Implementation

[0037] The preferred embodiments of this application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that the advantages and features of this application can be more easily understood by those skilled in the art, thereby providing a clearer and more definite definition of the scope of protection of this application.

[0038] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used merely to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising..." does not exclude the presence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0039] The technical solutions of this application and how they solve the aforementioned technical problems will be described in detail below with specific embodiments. The specific embodiments described below can be combined with each other to form new embodiments. The same or similar ideas or processes described in one embodiment may not be repeated in other embodiments. The embodiments of this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0040] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of a specific embodiment of the precision refrigeration unit integrating chilled water and air conditioning for magnetic resonance imaging equipment, as described in this application. The following text in this application refers to... Figure 1 Let's take an example to explain. This precision refrigeration unit includes an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. The indoor unit consists of a refrigeration system 1, a chilled water system 3, an air conditioning system 4, and an electrical control system 5. The chilled water system 3 exchanges heat with the magnetic resonance equipment using low-temperature deionized water (referred to as low-temperature water). The air conditioning system 4 regulates the temperature of the human-machine environment in the equipment room and scanning room using air. In winter, the heat generated by the magnetic resonance equipment is released to the equipment room and scanning room through a heat recovery unit to achieve energy saving. All systems in the indoor unit are integrated into a single cabinet. The outdoor unit consists of a condensing system 2, which includes a condenser fan 202 and a finned condenser 201. The indoor and outdoor units are connected by copper pipes and cables.

[0041] Refrigeration System 1

[0042] The refrigeration system 1 consists of a compressor 101, an electric three-way valve 102, a high-pressure sensor 103, a dryer filter 104, a sight glass 105, a first electronic expansion valve 106, a second electronic expansion valve 107, a cold water return gas temperature sensor 108, an air conditioning return gas temperature sensor 109, and a low-pressure sensor 110.

[0043] A low-pressure sensor 110 is installed at the inlet of compressor 101. The outlet of compressor 101 is connected to the main inlet valve a of electric three-way valve 102. The second diversion outlet valve c of electric three-way valve 102 is connected to the inlet of condensing system 2 via a pipeline. A high-pressure sensor 103 is installed on the pipeline of the second diversion outlet valve c. The outlet of condensing system 2 is connected to dryer filter 104. Dryer filter 104 is connected to the inlet pipeline of sight glass 105. Two parallel-connected first electronic expansion valves 106 and second electronic expansion valves 107 are both connected to the outlet pipeline of sight glass 105. The pipeline equipped with the first electronic expansion valve 106 is designated as the first branch, and the pipeline equipped with the second electronic expansion valve 107 is designated as the second branch. The first branch flows through the plate evaporator 301 in the chilled water system 3 and then returns to the pipeline equipped with the low-pressure sensor 110. A chilled water return gas temperature sensor 108 is installed on the side of the first branch near the low-pressure sensor 110. The second branch flows through the finned evaporator 402 in the air conditioning system 4 and then returns to the pipeline equipped with the low-pressure sensor 110. An air conditioning return gas temperature sensor 109 is installed on the side of the second branch near the low-pressure sensor 110. The first diversion outlet valve b of the electric three-way valve 102 is connected to the third branch. The third branch flows through the heat recovery unit 403 in the air conditioning system 4 and then merges into the main inlet of the first and second branches.

[0044] Condensation System 2

[0045] The condensing system 2 consists of a finned condenser 201 and a condensing fan 202. The finned condenser 201 is located on the air inlet side of the condensing fan 202. The finned condenser 201 can process the refrigerant in a high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous state into a low-temperature, high-pressure liquid state. The inlet and outlet ends of the finned condenser 201 are both connected to the refrigeration system 1. The inlet end of the finned condenser 201 is connected to the pipeline equipped with the second diversion outlet valve c of the electric three-way valve 102, and the outlet end of the finned condenser 201 is connected to the dryer filter 104.

[0046] chilled water system 3

[0047] The chilled water system 3 consists of a plate evaporator 301, a water tank 302, a water pump 303, a chilled water temperature sensor 304, a water pressure sensor 305, and a flow sensor 306.

[0048] In this application, the cold water system 3 includes four magnetic resonance circuits, referred to as the first magnetic resonance circuit, the second magnetic resonance circuit, the third magnetic resonance circuit, and the fourth magnetic resonance circuit. The first magnetic resonance circuit includes a first inlet branch and a first outlet branch, the second magnetic resonance circuit includes a second inlet branch and a second outlet branch, the third magnetic resonance circuit includes a third inlet branch and a third outlet branch, and the fourth magnetic resonance circuit includes a fourth inlet branch and a fourth outlet branch. Flow sensors 306 are installed at the inlet positions of the first, second, and third inlet branches.

[0049] Four inlet branches converge into a main inlet branch, which connects to the inlet end of the heat exchange side of the plate evaporator 301. A main outlet branch is located on the rear side of the four outlet branches, connecting to the outlet end of the heat exchange side of the plate evaporator 301. Along the fluid flow direction, a water tank 302, a water pump 303, a cold water temperature sensor 304, and a water pressure sensor 305 are sequentially arranged on the main outlet branch. The inlet and outlet ends of the refrigerant side of the plate evaporator 301 are connected to the first branch. The low-temperature, low-pressure liquid refrigerant, after being throttled and depressurized, flows through the first branch through the refrigerant side of the plate evaporator 301, where it exchanges heat with the high-temperature deionized water (hereinafter referred to as high-temperature water) from the four inlet branches to obtain low-temperature cooling water (hereinafter referred to as cold water). This low-temperature cooling water then cools the various heating components of the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device through the four outlet branches.

[0050] In the chilled water system 3, the water pump 303 is turned on, and the water pressure sensor 305 detects the water pressure in the main outlet branch. High-temperature deionized water is collected from the four inlet branches into the main inlet branch, and then flows through the heat exchange side of the plate evaporator 301, through the water tank 302, water pump 303, chilled water temperature sensor 304 and water pressure sensor 305 on the main outlet branch, and then flows out through the four outlet branches.

[0051] Air conditioning system 4

[0052] The air conditioning system 4 consists of an air filter 401, a finned evaporator 402, a heat recovery unit 403, a humidifier 404, a water tray 405, a fan 406, an air temperature sensor 407, and a humidity sensor 408.

[0053] In the first chamber of the air conditioner, an air filter 401, a finned evaporator 402, a heat recovery unit 403, and a humidifier 404 are arranged sequentially along the airflow direction. A water collection tray 405 is provided below the finned evaporator 402, the heat recovery unit 403, and the humidifier 404. A one-way valve 409 is provided at the outlet end of the heat recovery unit 403. The one-way valve 409 can control the unidirectional flow of refrigerant on the third branch to prevent refrigerant backflow. The air filter 401 is located at the air inlet end of the first chamber of the air conditioner, and the finned evaporator 402 is located on the air outlet side of the air filter 401. In the second chamber of the air conditioner, a fan 406, an air temperature sensor 407, and a humidity sensor 408 are provided. The fan 406 is located on the air outlet side of the second chamber, providing the equipment room and the scanning room with their respective preset temperature and humidity ranges.

[0054] In one specific embodiment of this application, the equipment room and the scanning room can each be equipped with independent air ducts. Each independent air duct connected to the room is equipped with a valve, which can be opened, closed, or adjusted independently under the command of the electronic control system 5. When it is necessary to increase the humidity in the equipment room, the electronic control system 5 can adjust the air duct valves leading to the equipment room to ensure that more moisture is delivered to that area.

[0055] The equipment room and scanning room are each equipped with independent temperature and humidity sensors. The electronic control system 5 can monitor the temperature and humidity of the equipment room and scanning room in real time, and adjust the temperature and humidity of the air supplied to the corresponding room according to the actual environmental requirements to maintain a constant temperature and humidity environment.

[0056] If the humidity in the equipment room is lower than the set value, the electronic control system 5 will activate the corresponding humidifier 404 to add moisture to the air, thereby increasing the humidity. At this time, if the humidity in the scanning room already meets the requirements, theoretically no additional moisture input is needed, so its air duct valve can be kept closed to avoid affecting the environmental conditions of the scanning room.

[0057] When the temperature and humidity in the scanning room are normal, but the humidity in the equipment room is insufficient, the humidity in the equipment room can be precisely regulated by closing the air duct valves in the scanning room and simultaneously increasing the supply of humidified air to the equipment room. This design ensures that the two different functional areas can obtain appropriate temperature and humidity conditions according to their respective needs, while also improving the flexibility and efficiency of the precision refrigeration unit.

[0058] The electrical control system 5 is electrically connected to the refrigeration system 1, condensation system 2, chilled water system 3, and air conditioning system 4. Throughout the operation of this precision refrigeration unit, the electrical control system 5 controls the operation of these other systems to achieve precise control of temperature and humidity, and accurate flow distribution. Simultaneously, the electrical control system 5 can monitor and provide feedback on the operation of each component in real time. If a fault occurs in another system, the electrical control system 5 promptly transmits the fault signal to the central processing unit of the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device to ensure the safe and reliable operation of the MRI equipment.

[0059] In this application, the functions of the equipment that originally required three separate installations—the outdoor primary chiller unit, the indoor secondary heat exchanger unit, and the precision air conditioning unit—are integrated into a single unit that includes both indoor and outdoor units. Through this design, the outdoor primary chiller unit (responsible for cooling), the indoor secondary heat exchanger unit (used to regulate deionized water temperature), and the precision air conditioning unit (serving air conditioning needs), which previously required separate installations, are integrated into a unified solution that includes both indoor and outdoor units. This integrated design not only reduces costs and space requirements but also significantly simplifies installation and maintenance complexity, and improves system reliability and energy efficiency. Therefore, it does not simply concentrate all functions in a single indoor or outdoor system; rather, through rational design, it enables the indoor and outdoor components to work collaboratively, achieving effective management of the magnetic resonance imaging equipment and its surrounding environment.

[0060] The indoor unit comprises a refrigeration system 1, a chilled water system 3, an air conditioning system 4, and an electrical control system 5. These systems work together to provide deionized water at varying flow rates to multiple magnetic resonance circuits, meeting the cooling requirements of the magnetic resonance equipment, and to maintain a constant temperature and humidity environment in the equipment room and scanning room. All these systems are integrated into a single cabinet, reducing floor space and simplifying the installation process.

[0061] The outdoor unit mainly consists of a condensing system 2, which comprises a condensing fan 202 and a finned condenser 201. The condensing system 2 in the outdoor unit is responsible for exchanging heat with the refrigeration system 1 in the indoor unit using an environmentally friendly refrigerant, helping to dissipate the heat transferred from the chilled water system and air conditioning system in the indoor unit.

[0062] Working principle

[0063] The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device generates a lot of heat when it is working, and cold water is needed to cool down the heat-generating components of the MRI device. The equipment room and scanning room of the MRI device need an air conditioning system to maintain a constant temperature and humidity environment to meet the environmental requirements of the MRI device and provide a comfortable medical environment for patients.

[0064] Summer cooling cycle of chilled water system 3:

[0065] After the cold water flows through the various heating components inside the magnetic resonance equipment, it absorbs heat and becomes high-temperature water. The high-temperature water is then delivered to the plate evaporator 301 in the cold water system 3 through the magnetic resonance circuit distributed by the distributor system of the magnetic resonance equipment. The low-temperature, low-pressure liquid refrigerant inside the plate evaporator 301 absorbs heat from the high-temperature water and vaporizes, forming a low-temperature, low-pressure gaseous refrigerant. This low-temperature, low-pressure gaseous refrigerant flows through the first branch to the compressor 101, where it is pressurized to become a high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant. This high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant then flows through the main inlet valve a-second branch outlet valve c of the electric three-way valve 102 and enters the finned condenser 201 of the condensing system 2. It is forced to dissipate heat through the condensing fan 202, releasing heat to the outside. The low-temperature, high-pressure liquid refrigerant, after being liquefied in the finned condenser 201, flows through the first electronic expansion valve 106 to reduce its pressure, forming a low-temperature, low-pressure liquid refrigerant. This low-temperature, low-pressure liquid refrigerant returns to the plate evaporator 301 in the chilled water system 3, absorbs heat again, and forms a low-temperature, low-pressure gaseous refrigerant, completing the refrigeration cycle. After the high-temperature water absorbs heat from the low-temperature, low-pressure liquid refrigerant, it is cooled and becomes low-temperature water, which enters the water tank 302 in the cold water system 3. Then, the water pump 303 pressurizes the water and enters the water supply circuit of the distributor system to supply the various heating components of the magnetic resonance equipment, thus completing the water circulation.

[0066] Winter cooling cycle of air conditioning system 4:

[0067] The high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant output from compressor 101 dissipates heat in finned condenser 201 (with condenser fan 202 assisting in heat dissipation). The liquefied, low-temperature, high-pressure liquid refrigerant is then depressurized by the second electronic expansion valve 107, forming a low-temperature, low-pressure liquid refrigerant. This low-temperature, low-pressure liquid refrigerant absorbs heat and vaporizes in finned evaporator 402 of air conditioning system 4, eventually returning to compressor 101. Outside air enters air conditioning system 4 after being purified by air filter 401. The heat released by the purified air flowing through finned evaporator 402 is absorbed by the low-temperature, low-pressure liquid refrigerant, transforming the purified air into low-temperature air. This low-temperature air is then delivered to the equipment room and scanning room by fan 406, achieving environmental temperature control.

[0068] Winter chilled water circulation in chilled water system 3:

[0069] Cold water flows through the heating components inside the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device, absorbing heat and becoming high-temperature water. This high-temperature water flows through the inlet branch of the cold water system 3 to the plate evaporator 301. Inside the plate evaporator 301, the low-temperature, low-pressure liquid refrigerant absorbs heat from the high-temperature water and vaporizes, forming a low-temperature, low-pressure gaseous refrigerant. This low-temperature, low-pressure gaseous refrigerant is then pressurized by the compressor 101, becoming a high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant. This high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant flows through the main inlet valve a of the electric three-way valve 102. The electrical control system 5 intelligently allocates the refrigerant flow through the first branch outlet valve b and the second branch outlet valve c according to the heating requirements of the equipment room and the scanning room. The high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant preferentially enters the third branch through the first branch outlet valve b, flowing through the heat recovery unit 403 to release heat. If the heat demand of the heat recovery unit 403 is insufficient, the refrigerant flow through the first branch outlet valve b is increased. The high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant can also enter the condensing system 2 through the second diversion outlet valve c to release heat to the outside (through forced heat dissipation by the condenser fan 202). The liquefied, low-temperature, high-pressure liquid refrigerant flows through the first electronic expansion valve 106 to reduce its pressure, forming a low-temperature, low-pressure liquid refrigerant. The low-temperature, low-pressure liquid refrigerant returns to the plate evaporator 301 to absorb heat again, completing the refrigeration cycle. After the high-temperature water absorbs heat from the low-temperature, low-pressure liquid refrigerant, it is cooled to become low-temperature water and enters the water tank 302. Then, the water pump 303 pressurizes the water and enters the water supply circuit of the distributor system to supply the various heating components of the magnetic resonance equipment, completing the water circulation.

[0070] Winter heating and humidification cycle of air conditioning system 4:

[0071] After the outside air passes through the air filter 401 to purify particulate matter, the purified air flows through the heat recovery unit 403 to absorb the heat released by the high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant. The purified air temperature rises to form high-temperature supply air. The high-temperature air is pressurized by the supply fan 406 and then distributed to the equipment room and scanning room through the duct system (i.e., the air ducts are set up independently for the equipment room and the scanning room respectively). The humidifier 404 is turned on in a timely manner according to environmental needs to adjust the supply air temperature and humidity to maintain a constant temperature and humidity environment.

[0072] Throughout the entire system's operation, the electronic control system 5 controls the operation of each system, achieving precise control of temperature and humidity, and accurate allocation of flow. Simultaneously, the electronic control system 5 monitors and provides feedback on the operation of each component in real time. If a fault occurs in another system, the electronic control system 5 promptly transmits the fault signal to the central processing unit of the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device to ensure its safe and reliable operation.

[0073] In summary, the precision refrigeration unit for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) equipment provided in this application, which integrates chilled water and air conditioning, not only provides low-temperature cooling water at different flow rates for the multiple MRI loops required by the MRI equipment, but also provides precise temperature and humidity control for the human-machine environment, i.e., providing constant temperature and humidity functions for the scanning room and equipment room. This precision refrigeration unit has a simple installation structure, occupies a small area, and recovers the heat generated by the MRI equipment in winter to supply the human-machine environment, exhibiting high reliability. Material costs, installation costs, and manufacturing costs are all significantly reduced. Compared with traditional MRI cooling solutions, this application reduces costs by 30% and occupies half the space. Installation only requires connecting copper pipes between the indoor and outdoor units, reducing construction intensity by half. The number of repetitive moving parts is greatly reduced, significantly improving reliability and avoiding losses due to equipment downtime caused by malfunctions. Once installed, the MRI equipment continuously generates at least 6.5kW of heat, which this application also recovers as a winter heating source for the air conditioning system, achieving 100% energy savings compared to traditional electric heating solutions.

[0074] It should be noted that in the description herein, the terms "middle," "front," "back," "top," "bottom," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this application.

[0075] Furthermore, the terms "installation," "setup," "equipped with," "connection," "linked," "socketed," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral structure; they can refer to a mechanical connection; they can refer to a direct connection, or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or an internal connection between two devices, components, or parts. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model according to the specific circumstances.

[0076] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used throughout this application have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application pertains. In case of any inconsistency, the meaning as stated in this application or derived from the content described herein shall prevail. Furthermore, the terminology used in this description is for the purpose of describing embodiments of this application only and is not intended to limit this application.

[0077] Note that the above are merely preferred embodiments and the technical principles employed in this application. Those skilled in the art will understand that this application is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, and various obvious changes, readjustments, and substitutions can be made without departing from the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, although this application has been described in detail through the above embodiments, this application is not limited to the above embodiments. Many other equivalent embodiments may be included without departing from the technical concept of this application, all of which fall within the scope of protection of this application.

[0078] The above description is merely an embodiment of this application and does not limit the patent scope of this application. Any equivalent structural transformations made using the content of this application's specification and drawings, or direct or indirect applications in other related technical fields, are similarly included within the patent protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A precision refrigeration unit integrating chilled water and air conditioning for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) equipment, comprising an indoor unit and an outdoor unit connected to the indoor unit, characterized in that: The indoor unit includes a refrigeration system, a chilled water system, an air conditioning system, and an electronic control system; the outdoor unit includes a condensing system. The refrigeration system is connected to the condensing system, the chilled water system, and the air conditioning system respectively. The refrigeration system and the condensing system provide refrigerant to the evaporators in the chilled water system and the air conditioning system. The refrigerant after heat exchange in the chilled water system and the air conditioning system is recovered to the condensing system through the refrigeration system. The chilled water system provides chilled water to the heating components of the magnetic resonance imaging equipment. The air conditioning system provides the scanning room and equipment room of the magnetic resonance imaging equipment with a temperature and humidity within a preset range. The electrical control system is electrically connected to the refrigeration system, the condensation system, the chilled water system, and the air conditioning system, respectively.

2. The precision refrigeration unit integrating chilled water and air conditioning for magnetic resonance equipment as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The refrigeration system includes: The inlet end of the dryer filter is connected to the outlet end of the condensing system, and the outlet end of the dryer filter is connected to a sight glass. The pipeline with the sight glass is connected to a first branch with a first electronic expansion valve and a second branch with a second electronic expansion valve. The first branch is connected to the chilled water system and merges with the pipeline with the compressor. The second branch is connected to the air conditioning system and merges with the pipeline with the compressor. The outlet ends of the first branch and the second branch are respectively equipped with return gas temperature sensors. The main inlet valve of the electric three-way valve is connected to the outlet end of the compressor. The first branch outlet valve of the electric three-way valve is connected to the third branch, which is connected to the air conditioning system and merges with the inlet end of the first branch. The second branch outlet valve of the electric three-way valve is connected to the inlet end of the condensing system. A high-pressure sensor is installed on the pipeline connected to the second branch outlet valve, and a low-pressure sensor is installed at the inlet end of the compressor.

3. The precision refrigeration unit integrating chilled water and air conditioning for magnetic resonance equipment as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The air conditioning system includes: From the air inlet to the air outlet, an air filter, a finned evaporator, a heat recovery unit, a humidifier, and a fan are arranged in sequence. An air temperature sensor and a humidity sensor are installed above the fan. A water collection tray is installed below the finned evaporator, the heat recovery unit, and the humidifier. A one-way valve is installed on the third branch line connected to the outlet of the heat recovery unit.

4. The precision refrigeration unit integrating chilled water and air conditioning for magnetic resonance equipment as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The condensation system includes: Condensing fan; A finned condenser is installed on the air inlet side of the condenser fan. The inlet end of the finned condenser is connected to a pipeline with a second diversion outlet valve, and the outlet end of the finned condenser is connected to the dryer filter.

5. The precision refrigeration unit integrating chilled water and air conditioning for magnetic resonance equipment as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The cooling water system includes: The heat exchange pipeline, from its inlet to its outlet, is sequentially equipped with a plate evaporator, a water tank, a water pump, a cold water temperature sensor, and a water pressure sensor. The inlet of the heat exchange pipeline is connected to the inlet branches of multiple magnetic resonance circuits, and the outlet of the heat exchange pipeline is connected to the outlet branches of multiple magnetic resonance circuits. Some of the inlet branches are equipped with flow sensors.

6. The precision refrigeration unit integrating chilled water and air conditioning for magnetic resonance equipment as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The second branch is connected to the air conditioning system and includes: The second branch is connected to the finned evaporator.

7. The precision refrigeration unit integrating chilled water and air conditioning for magnetic resonance equipment as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The third branch is connected to the air conditioning system and includes: The third branch is connected in sequence to the heat recovery unit and the one-way valve.

8. The precision refrigeration unit integrating chilled water and air conditioning for magnetic resonance equipment according to claim 7, characterized in that, The outlet ends of the first branch and the second branch are respectively equipped with return gas temperature sensors, including: The return air temperature sensor includes a cold water return air temperature sensor and an air conditioning return air temperature sensor. The cold water return air temperature sensor is installed at the outlet end of the first branch, and the air conditioning return air temperature sensor is installed at the outlet end of the second branch.

9. The precision refrigeration unit integrating chilled water and air conditioning for magnetic resonance equipment according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first branch is connected to the cold water system and includes: The first branch is connected to the plate evaporator, which performs heat exchange treatment on the high-temperature water from the inlet branches of the plurality of magnetic resonance circuits.

10. The precision refrigeration unit integrating chilled water and air conditioning for magnetic resonance equipment according to claim 3, characterized in that, The air conditioning system is also equipped with multiple air ducts, each of which independently provides the scanning room and the equipment room with their respective preset temperature and humidity ranges.

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