CT Detector Heat Pipe Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Excessive heat in CT detector assemblies leads to image artifacts due to temperature-dependent photodiode gain and mechanical misalignment of collimators, resulting in reduced image quality.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a heat pipe within a recessed area of a substrate supporting electronic components, with optional liquid coolant and thermal interface material, to regulate temperature and maintain mechanical alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electronic components are operated at higher temperatures to maintain performance, then photodiode gain and signal detection are improved, but image artifacts and pixel-to-pixel leakage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heat pipe utilizes phase transitions of working fluid (evaporation and condensation) to transfer heat away from electronic components, maintaining optimal operating temperatures and preventing image artifacts while preserving photodiode gain
Solution Approach 2:
The heat pipe acts as an intermediary thermal management device between the heat-generating electronic components and the external environment, efficiently conducting heat away to prevent temperature-related image degradation
2Object-affected harmful factors
If cooling systems are added to reduce heat, then image quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat pipe is a passive self-regulating device that automatically transfers heat from hot to cold regions without requiring external control systems, power consumption, or complex mechanical components, thus improving image quality without increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex active mechanical cooling systems with a passive heat pipe that uses thermodynamic principles (phase change and capillary action) to achieve effective heat removal, simplifying the overall system design
3Temperature
If temperature increases occur in detector modules, then heat dissipation is reduced, but mechanical alignment between detector assembly and collimator deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The heat pipe utilizes phase transitions to efficiently remove heat from the detector module, maintaining stable temperatures that prevent thermal expansion and contraction, thereby preserving precise mechanical alignment between the detector assembly and collimator
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
Effectively reduces heat-related image artifacts by maintaining optimal operating temperatures and mechanical alignment, thereby enhancing image quality in CT systems.
Implementation Method 1
a heat pipe at least partially disposed within the recessed area
Implementation Method 2
an electronic component attached to the substrate
Data Source
AI summary
A computed tomography detector apparatus includes a substrate defining a recessed area. The computed tomography detector apparatus includes a heat pipe at least partially disposed within the recessed area. The computed tomography detector apparatus also includes an electronic component attached to the substrate.