Gradient coil water cooling device

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of gradient coils, in particular to a gradient coil water cooling device which comprises a Z coil formed by winding a cooling pipe, and one or more conversion connectors are arranged in the middle of the cooling pipe. A first chamber and a second chamber which are not communicated with each other are arranged on the adapter; the two ends of the adapter are communicated with the cooling pipes, and the cooling pipes at the two ends of the adapter are communicated with the first chamber and the second chamber respectively; a first infusion tube communicated with the first cavity and a second infusion tube communicated with the second cavity are arranged on the adapter substitute. According to the gradient coil water cooling device provided by the utility model, the conversion joint is arranged on the cooling pipe, and an original one-way cooling system is added to a multi-way cooling system, so that the current trend of the Z coil is ensured, the lift of the Z coil water cooling system is reduced, the cooling efficiency is improved, the temperature of the gradient coil is maintained within a proper range, and the service life of the gradient coil is prolonged. The cooling effect is better; the structure is simple, and the cooling efficiency is high.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of gradient coil technology, and in particular to a gradient coil water cooling device. Background Technology

[0002] Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an advanced, non-invasive imaging technique widely used in the diagnosis of diseases in various parts of the human body. It offers excellent soft tissue resolution and poses no risk of ionizing radiation. Gradient coils play a crucial role in MRI systems, primarily by generating gradient magnetic fields to spatially encode MRI signals, achieving three-dimensional spatial encoding (X, Y, and Z axes). This imbues the signal at each location with spatial information, thereby accurately reconstructing tomographic images.

[0003] The temperature of the gradient coil has multiple effects on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), thus impacting image quality. The main effects of gradient coil temperature on MRI include: 1. Temperature changes in the gradient coil alter the temperature of surrounding ferromagnetic materials (such as shims), causing field drift and affecting image quality, leading to decreased spatial resolution, signal inhomogeneity, and artifacts. 2. Excessive gradient coil temperature can change the coil's resistance, affecting current flow and altering the strength and linearity of the gradient magnetic field, resulting in unstable gradient magnetic field performance and inaccurate spatial localization encoding. Prolonged high temperatures also accelerate coil material aging, shortening its lifespan. 3. Gradient coils are high-power components that generate significant heat during operation. If the cooling system cannot effectively control the temperature, it will affect the stability of the MRI system, potentially leading to system malfunctions and disrupting normal equipment operation.

[0004] In existing technologies, to reduce the impact of temperature on gradient coils, multi-layer water-cooling systems are added to the gradient coils. These systems use circulating cooling media to remove the heat generated during operation, maintaining the gradient coil temperature within a suitable range. Gradient coils used in magnetic resonance imaging typically have multi-layer water-cooling systems, where the water-cooling layer of the Z-coil is generally spirally wound or wound in a Z-shape along the axial direction of the gradient coil.

[0005] like Figure 7 As shown, in the prior art, the Z-coil of the gradient coil is made of a copper tube; this copper tube is both the current carrier and the magnetic field generator, and also the flow channel for cooling water. However, this design suffers from drawbacks such as the cooling copper tube typically being hundreds of meters long, the large head required for water cooling, and unsatisfactory heat exchange efficiency, making it impossible to stably maintain the temperature of the gradient coil within a suitable range.

[0006] Therefore, designing a gradient coil water cooling device has become a technical problem that urgently needs to be solved by those skilled in the art. Utility Model Content

[0007] The technical problem this utility model aims to solve is to provide a gradient coil water cooling device that addresses the above-mentioned shortcomings. By setting a conversion connector on the cooling pipe, the original single-channel cooling system is increased to a multi-channel cooling system, which not only ensures the current flow of the Z coil but also reduces the head of the Z coil water cooling system. It has the advantages of simple structure, high cooling efficiency, and better cooling effect.

[0008] To solve the above problems, the technical solution adopted by this utility model is as follows:

[0009] A gradient coil water cooling device includes a Z-coil wound from a cooling tube, wherein one or more conversion joints are provided in the middle of the cooling tube; the conversion joint is provided with a first chamber and a second chamber that are not interconnected; both ends of the conversion joint are connected to the cooling tube, and the cooling tubes at both ends of the conversion joint are respectively connected to the first chamber and the second chamber; the conversion joint is provided with a first infusion tube connected to the first chamber and a second infusion tube connected to the second chamber.

[0010] As an improvement, the upper side of the adapter is provided with a downward recessed groove, which is located between the first chamber and the second chamber; so that the cross-sectional areas of each cross section of the adapter (3) from the left end to the right end tend to be equal.

[0011] As an improvement, both ends of the adapter are provided with first connection holes, and the two first connection holes are respectively connected to the first chamber and the second chamber; the cooling pipes at both ends of the adapter are respectively installed in the corresponding first connection holes.

[0012] As an improvement, the side of the adapter is provided with two spaced-apart second connection holes, which are respectively connected to the first chamber and the second chamber; the first infusion tube and the second infusion tube are respectively installed in their corresponding second connection holes.

[0013] As an improvement, the conversion joints are provided at one-quarter, one-half, and three-quarters of the cooling pipe.

[0014] As an improvement, the conversion joint is provided at one-quarter and three-quarters of the cooling pipe, and a tee is provided at one-half of the cooling pipe. The two ends of the tee are connected to the cooling pipe, and the other end of the tee is connected to the third infusion pipe.

[0015] As an improvement, the adapter is a copper adapter.

[0016] As an improvement, both the cooling pipe and the adapter are provided with an insulating layer on their surfaces.

[0017] The present invention adopts the above technical solution and has the following advantages compared with the prior art:

[0018] The cooling pipe of this gradient coil serves as both a current carrier and a magnetic field generator, as well as a channel for cooling water flow. This water-cooling device, by incorporating conversion connectors on the cooling pipes, transforms a single-channel cooling system into a multi-channel system. This ensures the current flow of the Z-coil while reducing the head of the Z-coil water-cooling system. It also increases the amount of heat carried away by the circulating cooling medium, maintaining the gradient coil's temperature within a suitable range and achieving better cooling performance. Furthermore, it boasts advantages such as simple structure and high cooling efficiency.

[0019] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the gradient coil water cooling device in Embodiment 1 of this utility model;

[0021] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of the transition connector;

[0022] Figure 3 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the transition connector Figure 1 ;

[0023] Figure 4 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the transition connector Figure 2 ;

[0024] Figure 5 for Figure 3 Sectional view of AA;

[0025] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the gradient coil water cooling device in Embodiment 2 of this utility model;

[0026] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a gradient coil water cooling device in the prior art;

[0027] Wherein: 1-Z coil, 2-cooling pipe, 3-adapter connector, 4-first chamber, 5-second chamber, 6-first infusion tube, 7-second infusion tube, 8-groove, 9-first connecting hole, 10-second connecting hole, 11-tee, 12-third infusion tube. Detailed Implementation

[0028] Example 1

[0029] For ease of explanation rather than as a limitation, Figure 5 The direction of the left end of the adapter 3 shown is defined as left, the direction of the right end is defined as right, and the directions derived therefrom are up and down.

[0030] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, a gradient coil water-cooling device includes a Z-coil 1 wound from a cooling tube 2, with one or more conversion joints 3 located in the middle of the cooling tube 2. The cooling tube 2 serves as both a current carrier, generating a magnetic field, and a channel for cooling water flow. The conversion joints 3 are copper conversion joints, and the cooling tube 2 is made of copper. Both the cooling tube 2 and the conversion joints 3 have an insulating layer on their surfaces. In the prior art, insulation treatment is performed on the copper tube and its connectors during gradient coil manufacturing. Insulation treatment during gradient coil manufacturing is not the technical problem to be solved in this application; existing insulation treatment methods can be used in this application, and therefore, will not be elaborated further. Preferably, in this embodiment, there are two conversion joints 3; conversion joints 3 are located at one-quarter and three-quarters of the cooling tube 2, and a tee 11 is located at one-half of the cooling tube 2. The two ends of the tee 11 are connected to the cooling tube 2, and the other end of the tee 11 is connected to a third infusion tube 12. The tee 11 is a copper tee. In application, the number of conversion joints 3 and the position of each conversion joint 3 on the cooling tube 2 can be set according to actual needs.

[0031] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, the adapter 3 has a first chamber 4 and a second chamber 5 that are not interconnected. Both ends of the adapter 3 are connected to cooling pipes 2, which are respectively connected to the first chamber 4 and the second chamber 5. Preferably, in this embodiment, the connection between the cooling pipes 2 and the adapter 3 is achieved by copper welding. This connection method ensures both a fixed connection between the cooling pipes 2 and the adapter 3 and guarantees current conduction between them. The adapter 3 has a first infusion pipe 6 connected to the first chamber 4 and a second infusion pipe 7 connected to the second chamber 5. The first infusion pipe 6, the second infusion pipe 7, and the third infusion pipe 12 are all connected to an external cooling system, forming a complete and efficient cooling circuit. The cooling medium can circulate more comprehensively and smoothly throughout the gradient coil, greatly improving cooling efficiency. The first infusion pipe 6, the second infusion pipe 7, and the third infusion pipe 12 are all made of insulating tubing.

[0032] The adapter 3 has a downwardly recessed groove 8 on its upper side, located between the first chamber 4 and the second chamber 5. This structure makes the cross-sectional areas of each section of the adapter 3 from left to right approximately equal. The groove 8 in the middle solid part of the adapter 3 prevents current from flowing upwards during use, ensuring that the current center direction on the adapter is consistent and the current can be conducted stably, preventing the current direction from deviating from the design value. The bottom surface of the adapter 3 is an arc surface that matches the diameter of the Z coil 1.

[0033] Preferably, in this embodiment, both ends of the adapter 3 are provided with first connection holes 9, which are respectively connected to the first chamber 4 and the second chamber 5. Cooling pipes 2 at both ends of the adapter 3 are respectively installed in their corresponding first connection holes 9. The cooling pipes 2 are fixed at the first connection holes 9 by welding. The side of the adapter 3 is provided with two spaced-apart second connection holes 10, which are respectively connected to the first chamber 4 and the second chamber 5. The first infusion tube 6 and the second infusion tube 7 are respectively installed in their corresponding second connection holes 10. Both the first infusion tube 6 and the second infusion tube 7 are made of insulating tubing, such as plastic tubing or PVC tubing. One first connection hole 9 and one second connection hole 10 at one end of the adapter 3 serve as the inlet and outlet water outlet, respectively, as needed.

[0034] like Figure 1 As shown, the gradient coil water cooling device of this embodiment divides the original single cooling system into four cooling units by setting two conversion joints 3 and a tee 11 on the cooling pipe 2. The left quarter of the Z coil 1 forms a separate cooling unit, with the left end of the copper pipe of the Z coil 1 and the first liquid inlet pipe 6 of the conversion joint 3 at the leftmost end serving as the water inlet and return pipe, respectively. Similarly, the other cooling units on the Z coil 1 are respectively designated as water inlet and return pipes. It should be noted that the third liquid inlet pipe 12 connected at the tee 11, as a water path shared by the two middle cooling units, should serve the same function in both cooling units, and should be either a water inlet pipe or a water return pipe.

[0035] The first chamber 4 and the second chamber 5 of the conversion connector 3 are not interconnected, thus separating the water path in the cooling pipe 2. This effectively reduces the head required for water cooling of the gradient coil, resulting in high heat exchange efficiency and the ability to stably maintain the temperature of the gradient coil within a suitable range. While ensuring the cooling capacity of the water cooling device, it achieves water-electricity separation of the gradient coil without altering the current design. Ordinary purified water or distilled water can be used as the refrigerant, reducing maintenance costs and dependence on special materials, and minimizing the risk of leakage.

[0036] Example 2

[0037] like Figure 6 As shown, the difference between this embodiment and embodiment 1 is that the above-mentioned conversion joint 3 is provided at one-quarter, one-half and three-quarters of the cooling pipe 2.

[0038] like Figure 6As shown, the gradient coil water cooling device of this embodiment divides the original single cooling system into four cooling units by setting three conversion joints 3 on the cooling pipe 2. The left quarter of the Z coil 1 forms a separate cooling unit, with the left end of the copper tube of the Z coil 1 and the first liquid inlet pipe 6 of the conversion joint 3 at the leftmost end serving as the water inlet and return pipe, respectively. Similarly, the other cooling units on the Z coil 1 define the water inlet and return pipes, respectively.

[0039] This utility model discloses a gradient coil water-cooling device. By installing a conversion connector 3 on the cooling pipe 2, the original single-channel cooling system is increased to a multi-channel cooling system. The first chamber 4 and the second chamber 5 of the conversion connector 3 are not connected to each other, thus dividing the water path in the cooling pipe 2. This effectively reduces the head required for gradient coil water cooling, resulting in high heat exchange efficiency and the ability to stably maintain the temperature of the gradient coil within a suitable range. Simultaneously, the current is conducted along the central solid of the conversion connector 3, without altering the original current conduction path of the Z coil 1, ensuring that the current direction of the Z coil 1 is consistent with the design direction.

[0040] In summary, this utility model provides a gradient coil water-cooling device. By installing a conversion connector on the cooling pipe, the original single-channel cooling system is increased to a multi-channel cooling system. This not only ensures the current flow of the Z-coil but also reduces the head of the Z-coil water-cooling system. It also increases the amount of heat carried away by the circulating cooling medium, maintaining the gradient coil temperature within a suitable range and achieving better cooling. Furthermore, it ensures the performance of the gradient magnetic field and the stability of the magnetic resonance system, increasing the quality of the magnetic resonance scan image and the strength and linearity of the gradient magnetic field. It has advantages such as simple structure and high cooling efficiency.

[0041] Finally, it should be noted that the above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this utility model and is not intended to limit the utility model. Although the utility model has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A gradient coil water cooling device comprising a Z-coil (1) wound by a cooling tube (2), characterized in that: One or more conversion joints (3) are provided in the middle of the cooling pipe (2); The conversion connector (3) is provided with a first chamber (4) and a second chamber (5) that are not connected to each other; both ends of the conversion connector (3) are connected to the cooling pipe (2), and the cooling pipes (2) at both ends of the conversion connector (3) are connected to the first chamber (4) and the second chamber (5) respectively; the conversion connector (3) is provided with a first infusion pipe (6) connected to the first chamber (4) and a second infusion pipe (7) connected to the second chamber (5).

2. The gradient coil water cooling apparatus of claim 1, wherein: The adapter (3) has a downward recessed groove (8) on its upper side, which is located between the first chamber (4) and the second chamber (5).

3. The gradient coil water cooling apparatus of claim 1, wherein: The adapter (3) has a first connection hole (9) at both ends, and the two first connection holes (9) are connected to the first chamber (4) and the second chamber (5) respectively; the cooling pipes (2) at both ends of the adapter (3) are installed in the corresponding first connection holes (9).

4. The gradient coil water cooling apparatus of claim 1, wherein: The adapter (3) has two spaced second connection holes (10) on its side, which are connected to the first chamber (4) and the second chamber (5) respectively; the first infusion tube (6) and the second infusion tube (7) are installed in their corresponding second connection holes (10).

5. The gradient coil water cooling arrangement of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The conversion joint (3) is provided at one-quarter, one-half and three-quarters of the cooling pipe (2).

6. The gradient coil water cooling arrangement of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The conversion connector (3) is provided at one-quarter and three-quarters of the cooling pipe (2), and a tee (11) is provided at one-half of the cooling pipe (2). The two ends of the tee (11) are connected to the cooling pipe (2), and the other end of the tee (11) is connected to the third infusion pipe (12).

7. The gradient coil water cooling arrangement of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The adapter (3) is a copper adapter.

8. The gradient coil water-cooling device as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The surface of both the cooling pipe (2) and the conversion connector (3) is provided with an insulating layer.

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