Contactless Power Chain for CT Scanner Gantry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional slip-ring technology for power transfer in CT scanners is not well-suited for higher power demands and is prone to wear, while contactless transformers face issues with leakage flux-induced coupling and misalignment of windings.
Innovation Solution
A contactless power chain using shifted transformers with non-resin based carriers to maintain winding alignment and insulation, reducing leakage flux coupling and improving power transfer efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If slip-ring technology is used for power transfer, then power can be transferred from stationary to rotating gantry, but the technology is not well-suited for higher power demands and brushes are susceptible to wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical slip-ring brush system with a contactless transformer-based electromagnetic power transfer system. This eliminates mechanical contact and wear, providing reliable high-power transfer capability without the limitations of brush-based systems.
2Reliability
If contactless transformers are used to transfer power, then power transfer reliability improves, but leakage flux from one transformer may induce voltage in another transformer causing coupling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the harmful leakage flux coupling effect by strategically positioning and shielding transformers to isolate their magnetic fields, preventing interference between adjacent transformers in the power chain.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces magnetic shielding materials and spatial separation as intermediary elements between transformers to block and redirect leakage flux, preventing it from inducing voltage in adjacent transformers.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional techniques are used for mounting transformer windings, then installation is simplified, but windings may not be properly aligned and insulated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates alignment features and insulation structures into the transformer core design before winding installation, ensuring proper positioning and electrical isolation are established in advance, which guides correct winding placement and maintains precision.
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 effectively reduces cross-talk and induced voltage between transformers, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of power transfer in CT scanners, addressing the limitations of existing technologies.
Implementation Method 1
A first transformer transfers higher power for the x-ray tube and a second transformer transfers relatively lower power for the other components
Implementation Method 2
leakage flux from a transformer may induce a field in the other transformer
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging system (100) includes a stationary gantry (102) and a rotating gantry (104). The rotating gantry (104) includes a first component (110, 114, 116) supplied with first power and a second component supplied with second power, wherein the first and second power are different. A contactless power chain (118) includes a first transformer (202, 204, 306) for transferring the first power from the stationary gantry (102) to the rotating gantry (104) and a second transformer (202, 204, 306) for transferring the second power from the stationary gantry (102) to the rotating gantry (104). The first and second transformers (202, 204, 306) are shifted relative to each other along the longitudinal axis (108) by a pre-determined finite non-zero distance (240). In another embodiment, an imaging system (100) includes a stationary gantry (102) and a rotating gantry (104) that rotates about a longitudinal axis (108). A contactless power chain (118) transfers power from the stationary gantry (102) to the rotating gantry (104), wherein windings (214, 218, 230, 234) of the contactless power chain (118) are carried by a non-resin based carrier (700).