CT Gantry Exhaust Duct Layout for Quiet Cooling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional X-ray CT apparatuses face challenges in reducing noise without increasing size, as the exhaust fan noise leaks out and the heat ducts extend along the circumference, making the apparatus larger.
Innovation Solution
The X-ray CT apparatus incorporates an annular rotator with a gantry and cover, featuring coolers positioned away from exhaust ports and a duct that receives exhaust air from fans, which sends heat to exhaust ports, reducing noise by inclining fan axes and using a non-linear duct to minimize size expansion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the exhaust fan is arranged close to the exhaust port to efficiently exhaust heat, then the heat exhaustion efficiency is improved, but the noise generated from the exhaust fan leaks from the exhaust port to the outside
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust system is segmented into distinct functional zones: the exhaust fan is positioned away from the exhaust port, and a duct is introduced as an intermediate component to connect them. This segmentation allows the fan to operate efficiently while the duct serves as a noise isolation barrier, preventing noise leakage to the outside.
Solution Approach 2:
A duct is introduced as an intermediary component between the exhaust fan and the exhaust port. This duct acts as a mediator that transfers exhaust air from the fan to the port while isolating the noise source, thereby maintaining heat exhaustion efficiency while reducing noise leakage.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the duct for exhausting heat is extended along the outer circumference of the rotating part to attenuate noise energy, then the noise reduction is improved, but the X-ray CT apparatus becomes large in size
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of extending the duct along the circumferential direction (horizontal dimension), the duct is configured to extend in the axial direction (vertical dimension) from the fan toward the exhaust port. This dimensional change allows noise attenuation through sufficient duct length while maintaining a compact overall apparatus size.
Solution Approach 2:
The duct is configured with a curved or bent shape rather than a straight linear extension. This curved configuration allows the duct to achieve sufficient length for noise attenuation while fitting within the compact spatial constraints of the apparatus, avoiding excessive size increase.
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
This design effectively reduces noise leakage while maintaining a compact size by strategically placing fans and ducts, enhancing noise reduction and operational efficiency without increasing the apparatus's dimensions.
Implementation Method 1
An exhaust fan is provided between the exhaust port and the vent hole. High temperature air radiated from the radiator is passed through the vent hole and the exhaust fan causes the high temperature air to be exhausted to the outside via the exhaust port
Implementation Method 2
The radiator is arranged in vicinity of the X-ray tube. High temperature air radiated from the radiator is passed through the vent hole
Data Source
AI summary
In an X-ray CT apparatus, an annular rotating body includes an X-ray tube and an opening portion accommodating a radiator that discharges heat from the X-ray tube and into which a bed can be inserted. A stand includes a frame disposed in a rear portion of the annular rotating body, and supports the annular rotating body to be rotatable about an axis. A cover which covers the annular rotating body and the stand includes an exhaust port. A cooling mechanism, disposed at a position away from a position of the exhaust port along a circumferential direction of the annular rotating body between an outer circumferential surface of the annular rotating body and cover, includes a fan disposed at the stand. A duct receives exhaust air from the fan at a rear position of the fan between the frame and cover, and leads from the fan to the exhaust port.