Combined Cold Plate and Radiation Shield for RF Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radiation imaging systems face challenges in maintaining a high signal-to-noise ratio due to low radiation intensity and interference from RF and EMI, while also requiring cooling, which creates unshielded gaps in the shielding when connecting cooling elements.
Innovation Solution
A combined cold plate and shield using a thermal sandwich of materials with high thermal conductivity and radiation shielding properties, such as aluminum and lead, to provide both effective cooling and interference protection, including RF and EMI filtering, while maintaining a continuous shielding environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If separate cooling and shielding components are used, then cooling function is provided, but shielding continuity is compromised due to connection gaps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cold plate and radiation shield into a single integrated component. The cold plate is constructed with alternating layers of high thermal conductivity material (aluminum) and high density radiation shielding material (lead), creating a unified structure that simultaneously provides cooling and radiation/EMI shielding without gaps or connection points that would compromise shielding continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cold plate uses a composite layered structure combining aluminum and lead materials. The aluminum layers provide thermal conduction for cooling, while the lead layers provide radiation and electromagnetic interference shielding. This composite approach allows both cooling and shielding functions to be achieved within a single component.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If high density shielding material is used, then radiation shielding is improved, but thermal conductivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The cold plate employs a layered composite structure where high density lead material provides radiation shielding and high thermal conductivity aluminum material provides heat dissipation. The alternating layers allow both functions to coexist, with heat conducting through the aluminum layers while radiation is blocked by the lead layers.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the cold plate have different material properties optimized for their specific functions. The aluminum layers are positioned to maximize thermal conduction pathways, while the lead layers are positioned to provide radiation shielding. This local differentiation of material properties allows simultaneous optimization of both cooling and shielding performance.
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 enhances the signal-to-noise ratio by ensuring even cooling and minimizing interference, effectively shielding against radiation and electromagnetic interferences, thus improving the quality of medical imaging.
Implementation Method 1
a first material with good thermal conductivity, such as aluminum
Implementation Method 2
a second material with good radiation shielding properties, such as lead
Data Source
AI summary
A combined cold plate for RF shield is optimized both for cooling a device and also for shielding it against RF. One embodiment uses a two-part material so that it has improved thermal characteristics from one part and RF shielding characteristics from another part.