Capsule Slip Ring Rolling Contact for CT Gantry Wear Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large thru-bore slip rings in CT gantry systems are prone to wear and failure due to kinetic friction, leading to costly maintenance and replacement processes.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of small-diameter capsule slip rings with contact roller wheels that provide a rolling contact, reducing friction to static friction and facilitating easier replacement and repair by eliminating the need for large thru-bore slip rings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If large thru-bore slip rings are used to transmit electrical signals across the rotatory joint in CT gantry systems, then electrical connection is achieved, but wear and failure occur due to kinetic friction at the contact point
Solution Approach 1:
The large thru-bore slip ring is segmented into multiple small-diameter capsule slip rings distributed around the gantry circumference. Each capsule slip ring handles a portion of the electrical signal transmission, allowing the system to maintain reliability while reducing the friction burden on each individual contact point.
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding contact mechanism is replaced with a rolling contact mechanism using contact roller wheels. This substitution transforms the harmful kinetic friction from sliding motion into significantly reduced friction from rolling motion, thereby improving slip ring reliability and reducing wear.
2Reliability
If large thru-bore slip rings are used, then electrical signal transmission is achieved, but expensive maintenance and replacement processes are required
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the single large slip ring into multiple small capsule slip rings, the system enables modular replacement. If one capsule slip ring fails, only that individual unit needs to be replaced rather than the entire large slip ring assembly, significantly reducing maintenance cost and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact roller wheels are designed as separable components that can be easily removed from the capsule slip rings. This extraction capability allows for quick replacement of worn rollers without replacing the entire capsule slip ring assembly, further simplifying the repair process.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If small-diameter capsule slip rings with contact roller wheels are used, then friction is reduced to static friction, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple capsule slip rings are distributed around the gantry circumference and work in parallel to collectively handle the electrical signal transmission task. This merging approach distributes the functional load, allowing each individual capsule slip ring to have a simpler design while the system as a whole maintains or improves performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The capsule slip rings are designed with universal mounting configurations that can accommodate different gantry sizes and electrical signal requirements. The contact roller wheels serve multiple functions including electrical contact, mechanical support, and wear compensation, reducing the need for additional specialized components.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution reduces wear and enhances maintenance accessibility, providing a more reliable and cost-effective electrical rotary joint for CT systems by minimizing the impact of kinetic friction and simplifying the replacement process.
Implementation Method 1
small-diameter capsule slip rings with contact roller wheels that provide a rolling contact, reducing friction to static friction
Implementation Method 2
reducing friction to static friction
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
A system for implementing an electrical rotary joint in a large-diameter system using relatively small-diameter capsule slip rings is described herein. The system includes a system rotor that rotates about a system axis of rotation, and a system stator that is stationary with respect to the system rotor. The system also includes at least one conductive contact channel disposed on one of the system rotor and the system stator. The system further includes at least one capsule slip ring (CSR) coupled to the other of the system rotor and the system stator. The at least one CSR has a conductive annular element coupled thereto, the conductive annular element in mechanical contact with the at least one conductive contact channel such that the at least one CSR forms an electrical rotary joint between the system rotor and the system stator.