Coreless Transformer Gate Driver for MRI Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems face interference from ferrite/magnetic components in the scan room, which can affect magnetic fields and image quality, and there is a need to reduce the system's footprint by moving components into the scan room without compromising safety and image quality.
Innovation Solution
A gate driver circuit with an isolated gate driver power supply circuit using a coreless transformer and resonance converter, specifically an air core transformer with multiple windings, is employed to minimize magnetic interference and ensure compatibility with MRI frequencies, reducing conducted and radiated interference through soft switching and resonant operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If ferrite/magnetic components are used in the scan room, then power efficiency is improved, but magnetic interference with MRI fields increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes ferromagnetic materials (ferrite cores) from the transformer structure, extracting the harmful magnetic interference element while retaining the essential power transformation function through air-core or non-ferromagnetic core design. This allows the component to operate in the MRI scan room without compromising magnetic field integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the transformer by eliminating ferromagnetic materials and using air cores or non-ferromagnetic materials, fundamentally altering the magnetic properties while maintaining electrical transformation capability through optimized winding structures and resonance converter design.
2Area of stationary object
If components are moved into the scan room, then system footprint is reduced, but magnetic interference risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful ferromagnetic materials are extracted from the power supply circuitry, enabling safe placement of the gate driver and transformer assembly within the MRI scan room. The remaining non-ferromagnetic structure provides necessary power isolation without magnetic interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an air-core transformer or non-ferromagnetic core as an intermediary that provides galvanic isolation and voltage transformation without introducing magnetic interference. The resonance converter acts as another intermediary to achieve soft switching without requiring ferromagnetic materials.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If air core transformer with resonance converter is used, then magnetic interference is reduced, but leakage inductance compensation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the transformer and resonance converter into an integrated power supply circuit where the resonance network is directly coupled to the air-core transformer windings. This merging allows leakage inductance to be naturally compensated through the resonant operation, reducing the need for separate compensation components.
Solution Approach 2:
The resonance converter is designed to automatically compensate for the leakage inductance of the air-core transformer through its inherent resonant characteristics. The circuit self-regulates the energy transfer and voltage output without requiring external control or additional compensation 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 provides a reliable and safe gate driver for MRI systems, maintaining image quality by eliminating ferromagnetic materials, achieving high power efficiency, and reducing interference, while being cost-effective and load-insensitive.
Implementation Method 1
a coreless transformer and a resonance converter coupled to the coreless transformer
Implementation Method 2
a resonance converter coupled to the coreless transformer... The resonance converter is configured to compensate for leakage inductance of the air core transformer... reducing conducted and radiated interference through soft switching and resonant operation
Data Source
AI summary
A gate driver circuit is provided. The gate driver circuit includes an isolated gate driver power supply circuit. The isolated gate driver power supply circuit includes a coreless transformer and a resonance converter coupled to the coreless transformer. A method of manufacturing an isolated gate driver power supply circuit for a gate driver circuit is also provided.