CT Gantry Cooling via Non-Uniform Opening Pattern
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Solution Overview
Problem
Computed tomography apparatuses face challenges in dissipating heat from x-ray radiators and detectors due to the conversion of 99% energy into heat, and conventional cooling systems cause unwanted high pressure fluctuations and noise stress during coolant transfer between rotating and stationary parts.
Innovation Solution
A gantry with a rotary carriage and support ring featuring a non-uniform opening pattern for coolant flow, which smoothes pressure fluctuations and reduces noise by ensuring a steady increase and decrease in coolant flow, using oblong holes angled relative to the circumferential direction and adapted geometry for efficient cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a uniform opening pattern is used for coolant flow between support ring and rotary carriage, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but high pressure fluctuations and noise occur during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by using a non-uniform opening pattern where openings are distributed at different circumferential positions with varying intervals. Specifically, the support ring has openings at different angular positions, and the rotary carriage has corresponding openings that create non-symmetric flow paths. This asymmetric arrangement prevents synchronized opening/closing events that cause pressure fluctuations, thereby reducing noise while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by varying the opening characteristics at different locations around the circumference. Each opening pair (support ring opening and rotary carriage opening) has specific angular positioning and dimensional characteristics tailored to create gradual flow transitions. This localized optimization of opening properties ensures that coolant flow increases and decreases steadily rather than abruptly, reducing pressure fluctuations and noise in different regions of the gantry.
2Productivity
If coolant flow transitions rapidly between rotating and stationary parts, then cooling efficiency is improved, but abrupt pressure fluctuations and noise occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action through the rotational motion of the rotary carriage that periodically brings opening pairs into alignment. However, the non-uniform angular distribution of openings ensures that these periodic alignment events are staggered in time rather than occurring simultaneously. This creates a modulated periodic flow pattern where coolant is supplied and discharged in a controlled sequence, maintaining cooling efficiency while avoiding abrupt pressure changes that would occur with uniform spacing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by allowing the coolant flow rate to vary continuously during the rotation cycle rather than maintaining a constant flow. The dynamic opening/closing of opening pairs during rotation creates a time-varying flow pattern that adapts to the rotational position. This dynamic flow management ensures adequate cooling during peak heat generation while using the non-uniform geometry to smooth out pressure fluctuations during flow transitions.
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 non-uniform opening pattern reduces abrupt pressure fluctuations and noise, resulting in a more comfortable operating environment by minimizing tonal noise and maintaining mechanical stability, while ensuring effective cooling of components.
Implementation Method 1
the distribution of the pressure fluctuations or the perception of the generated noises upon transition of the coolant from the stationary part to the rotating part of the gantry and vice versa is influenced by the non-uniform opening pattern
Implementation Method 2
the dissipation of the heat that accumulates in the x-ray radiator and the x-ray detector, because 99% of the energy used to generate an x-ray is converted into heat
Data Source
AI summary
A gantry for a computed tomography apparatus has a rotary carriage that is rotatable around an axis and a support ring arranged around the rotary carriage with a circumferential cooling channel. The support ring has a number of openings distributed around its circumference and forming a non-uniform opening pattern. The rotary carriage likewise has inflow and outflow openings that, in operation, overlap the openings on the stationary part of the computed tomography apparatus such that a coolant flows through between the support ring and the rotary carriage. A steady pressure fluctuation that leads to a reduction of the noise stress in operation ensues thanks to the non-uniform opening pattern.