CT Data Acquired System Airflow Guide for Temperature Uniformity

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing CT apparatuses face challenges in achieving uniform temperature distribution across circuit boards, leading to inefficient heat dissipation and reduced service life of electrical components, which affects the quality of CT images.

Innovation Solution

A data acquired system (DAS) with a main structure featuring a cavity, a fan assembly, and an airflow guide that directs airflow from the fan to electrical components through a tapered channel, combined with a filter assembly and electromagnetic interference guard, ensuring efficient heat dissipation and electromagnetic compatibility, while being lightweight and stiff enough for mounting on a rotating gantry.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If traditional heat dissipation structure is used in DAS, then device complexity is reduced, but temperature uniformity across circuit boards deteriorates and heat dissipation efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature uniformityVSAvoidheat dissipation structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heat dissipation structure is segmented into multiple independent airflow channels, each serving specific circuit boards. This segmentation allows targeted heat dissipation for different components while maintaining overall system simplicity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Airflow guides are introduced as intermediary components to direct and control airflow paths. These guides mediate between the fan assembly and circuit boards, ensuring uniform heat dissipation distribution without requiring complex thermal management systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If heavier materials are used to increase stiffness of DAS, then structural strength is improved, but weight increases making it difficult to mount on rotating gantry

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stiffnessVSAvoidDAS weight
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The DAS housing employs composite material construction combining lightweight materials with reinforcing structures. This approach achieves necessary stiffness and strength while minimizing weight, enabling successful mounting on the rotating gantry of CT apparatus.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The DAS housing incorporates curved and optimized structural forms that provide high strength-to-weight ratio. The curved design distributes mechanical stresses more effectively than flat structures, enhancing stiffness without requiring additional heavy materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Loss of energy

If airflow guide is positioned close to electrical components for effective heat dissipation, then heat dissipation efficiency is improved, but risk of electromagnetic interference increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipation efficiencyVSAvoidelectromagnetic interference risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The airflow guide serves as a physical intermediary barrier between the airflow path and electrical components. It directs airflow for effective heat dissipation while simultaneously providing electromagnetic shielding, protecting sensitive components from interference during the heat dissipation process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The airflow guide performs multiple functions simultaneously: it directs airflow for heat dissipation, provides electromagnetic shielding for component protection, and maintains proper spacing between airflow channels and electrical components. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between heat dissipation efficiency and electromagnetic interference risk.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 achieves higher temperature uniformity across circuit boards, lowers the working temperature of electrical components, extends their service life, and maintains high CT image quality while being compatible with electromagnetic interference and dust prevention.

Implementation Method 1

a fan assembly disposed on the main structure, and an airflow guide disposed within the cavity to guide airflow from the fan assembly for heat dissipation of the electrical components

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 2

the airflow guide is shaped to taper a cross section of an airflow channel in a direction from the fan assembly to the electrical components

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Data Source

PatentUS8895933B2Data acquired system and CT apparatus using the same
Publication Date: 2014.11.25 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO
  • US8895933B2 patent drawing
  • US8895933B2 patent drawing
  • US8895933B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A data acquired system is provided. The data acquired system includes a main structure with a cavity formed therein, the cavity having a bottom for mounting a circuit board with electrical components thereto, a fan assembly disposed on the main structure, and an airflow guide disposed within the cavity and configured to guide airflow from the fan assembly for heat dissipation of the electrical components, the airflow guide positioned at a distance above the electrical components to form a gap between the airflow guide and the electrical components, wherein a sidewall of the cavity is provided with an air vent corresponding to the gap such that the airflow passes through the gap and is discharged from the air vent.