X-ray CT Apparatus Regenerative Energy Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
X-ray CT apparatuses face challenges in effectively releasing and reusing the large amount of regenerative energy generated during high-speed rotation, leading to increased heat burden and complexity in heat management, which complicates the design and increases manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
The X-ray CT apparatus employs a step-down and step-up mechanism to lower and raise the voltage of regenerative electrical power, allowing it to be accumulated and reused for driving the rotating body or other mechanisms, thereby eliminating the need for large regenerative resistance and enhancing energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If regenerative resistance is increased in quantity to handle high-speed rotation energy, then the heat release capability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the regenerative resistance from the conventional location on the mounting base and relocates it to the lateral portion of the apparatus. This spatial extraction allows for better heat dissipation positioning without requiring additional resistance elements, thereby improving heat release capability while avoiding increased device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional heat dissipation approach (on the mounting base surface) to a three-dimensional approach by utilizing the lateral space of the apparatus. This dimensional change enables more effective heat release pathways without adding complexity to the existing resistance structure
2Temperature
If regenerative resistance is installed on the upper portion of the mounting base, then heat release is improved, but the available space is insufficient for high-performance resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the regenerative resistance from the two-dimensional mounting base surface to the lateral three-dimensional space of the apparatus. This dimensional transition provides sufficient installation area for high-performance resistance elements without consuming valuable mounting base area
3Temperature
If additional cooling constitution such as fan is added, then heat release is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the regenerative resistance to serve its own cooling needs by utilizing the natural airflow generated during apparatus operation. The resistance position and the airflow path are arranged so that the system cools itself without requiring additional active cooling components, thus improving heat release while avoiding increased device complexity
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 approach simplifies the apparatus design, reduces heat management complexity, and achieves energy savings by effectively utilizing regenerative energy, making the X-ray CT apparatus more compact and efficient.
Implementation Method 1
a step-down part that lowers the voltage of regenerative electrical power generated at the drive part during deceleration of the rotating body
Implementation Method 2
an accumulation part that charges the lowered electrical power
Implementation Method 3
a step-up part that raises the voltage of electrical power from the accumulation part and supplies electrical power to the drive part
Implementation Method 4
The power source supplies electrical power to the drive part, and the drive part rotates the rotating body
Data Source
AI summary
An X-ray-generator irradiates X-rays at a subject. The X-ray-detector detects the X-rays that have permeated the subject. The rotating body on which the X-ray-generator and the X-ray-detector are installed rotates around the subject. The rotating body is rotated by the drive part. The power source supplies electrical power to the drive part. The step-down part lowers the voltage of the regenerative electrical power generated at the drive part during the deceleration of the rotating body. The accumulation part charges the lowered electrical power. The step-up part raises the voltage of the electrical power from the accumulation part and supplies electrical power to the drive part.