CT Gantry Support Wheels for High-Speed Serviceable Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gantry systems, particularly those with slew bearings, face challenges in serviceability and rotational speed limitations due to cantilevered support, high maintenance costs, and complexity, which are not adequately addressed by existing solutions.
Innovation Solution
A CT gantry system supported by a plurality of rotatable support wheels, featuring two gantry rings with a cross member and double-chamfered outer surfaces, allowing balanced and high-speed rotation without cantilevered stress, enabling easier maintenance and higher rotational speeds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If slew bearings are used to support the gantry, then the gantry can be rotatably supported, but the rotational speed is limited and serviceability becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The gantry system divides the support function into multiple independent support wheels (typically three or more) distributed around the gantry circumference, rather than using a single slew bearing. Each support wheel can be independently accessed and serviced, eliminating the difficulty of servicing a single complex slew bearing while allowing higher rotational speeds through the distributed support configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the lubrication requirement from the support system by using support wheels with self-lubricating properties or sealed bearings that do not require external lubrication. This eliminates the maintenance burden associated with slew bearings while enabling higher rotational speeds without the limitations of lubricated bearings
2Reliability
If customized slew bearings are developed for a particular gantry system, then the gantry can be supported, but the cost increases and specialized maintenance is required
Solution Approach 1:
The support wheels are designed as universal, off-the-shelf components that can be used across different gantry systems rather than custom-designed slew bearings. Each support wheel serves multiple functions: supporting the gantry weight, enabling rotation, and providing a simple mounting interface. This universality reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining reliable gantry support through the distributed wheel configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The support wheels are designed as inexpensive, easily replaceable components compared to costly customized slew bearings. If a support wheel wears or fails, it can be quickly replaced without requiring specialized maintenance procedures or expensive custom parts, thereby reducing both initial manufacturing cost and long-term operational costs
3Strength
If the gantry is cantilevered off a bearing, then the gantry can be supported, but the bearing interface stiffness requirement increases and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention distributes the gantry weight across multiple support wheels positioned around the gantry circumference, creating a balanced support configuration. This eliminates the cantilevered load condition on any single bearing interface, reducing the stiffness requirements for each individual support point while simplifying the overall system through the use of standard wheels rather than complex slew bearings
Data Source
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AI summary
A computed tomography (CT) gantry system is described herein. The CT gantry system includes a frame, a plurality of support wheels rotatably coupled to the frame, and a gantry resting upon the plurality of support wheels. In some embodiments, the gantry includes two gantry rings, and a cross member extending between the two gantry rings. In other embodiments, the gantry includes a first gantry ring, and a second gantry ring spaced apart from the first gantry ring in a direction parallel to an axis of rotation of the gantry. In some embodiments, the plurality of support wheels includes a plurality of front support wheels and a plurality of back support wheels. In some embodiments, the gantry includes a front gantry ring resting upon the front support wheels, a back gantry ring resting upon the back support wheels, and a cross member coupled between the front and back gantry rings.