CT Gantry Rail Integrating Rotary Transformer Secondary
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing CT gantry systems face challenges with contact slip rings due to wear and maintenance needs, and non-contact slip rings are expensive and difficult to manufacture and maintain, particularly in maintaining the precise air gap for efficient power transmission.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a rolling surface and the secondary side of a rotary transformer into a single gantry rail component simplifies manufacturing and maintains a precise air gap for efficient power transmission, using a rotary transformer with a primary and secondary core separated by an air gap, and a smooth machined surface for engaging rollers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If contact slip rings are used to transmit power from stator to gantry, then power transmission is achieved, but wear and maintenance needs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical contact-based power transmission system (contact slip rings with brushes) with a non-contact electromagnetic field-based system (rotary transformer). This substitution eliminates mechanical wear between moving parts while maintaining continuous power transmission from the stationary stator to the rotating gantry, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and maintenance needs.
2Ease of repair
If non-contact slip rings (rotary transformer) are used for power transmission, then maintenance needs are reduced, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the gantry rail structure with the secondary core of the rotary transformer into a single integrated component. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate manufacturing and precise alignment of the air gap between the primary and secondary cores, significantly reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining the low-maintenance benefits of non-contact power transmission.
3Reliability
If non-contact slip rings are used for power transmission, then wear is eliminated, but precision air gap maintenance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the secondary core directly into the gantry rail structure, the patent eliminates the air gap precision problem. The secondary core and primary core become fixed relative to each other through the rigid rail structure, maintaining consistent magnetic coupling without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms or high-precision alignment procedures.
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 solution reduces operational costs and capital expenditure by simplifying the manufacturing process and maintaining efficient power transmission in CT gantry systems, while minimizing maintenance needs.
Implementation Method 1
a non-contacting slip ring may be utilized, referred to as a rotary transformer. The rotary transformer utilizes high-frequency electromagnetic fields to couple the stator to the gantry for power transmission.
Implementation Method 2
The rotary transformer has primary and secondary sides, with the primary side being disposed on the stator and the secondary side disposed on the gantry
Data Source
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AI summary
A gantry rail for a gantry computed tomography (CT) system includes a secondary side of a rotary transformer and an annular body having an annular rolling surface and an annular slip ring surface. The annular body is aligned orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the gantry CT system. The annular rolling surface has a normal vector that extends radially outward and orthogonal to the longitudinal axis. The annular slip ring surface defines a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, and includes a slot disposed in the slip ring surface. The slot is configured to engage the secondary side of the rotary transformer.