CT Gantry Fluid Reservoir Chamber for Bubble Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Bubbles and particles in the fluid reservoirs of CT imaging system components degrade their performance due to centrifugal forces during rotation, affecting cooling and electrical isolation.

Innovation Solution

A chamber is fluidically coupled to the reservoir to receive and remove bubbles or particles from the fluid using centrifugal forces, with openings disposed at radially innermost or outermost positions to separate them effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the reservoir is sealed to prevent fluid leakage, then fluid containment is improved, but bubbles and particles accumulate in the fluid degrading performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid containmentVSAvoidbubble and particle accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The reservoir is divided into two separate chambers: a first chamber for containing the fluid and a second chamber for collecting bubbles and particles. This segmentation allows the fluid to remain sealed while providing a dedicated collection area for harmful contaminants, resolving the contradiction between maintaining seal integrity and preventing contamination accumulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful bubbles and particles are extracted from the fluid through the centrifugal separation mechanism. The second chamber serves as a collection zone where these contaminants are removed from the fluid system, allowing the fluid in the first chamber to maintain its sealing while being periodically cleaned of contaminants.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If the component rotates at high speed for CT imaging, then imaging productivity is improved, but centrifugal forces force bubbles and particles into the fluid degrading performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging speedVSAvoidbubble and particle generation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful centrifugal forces generated during high-speed rotation are converted into a beneficial separation mechanism. These same forces that cause bubbles and particles to form are now utilized to force them radially outward into the second chamber, where they are collected and removed from the fluid system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The system operates in periodic cycles where the component rotates at high speed to generate centrifugal separation, then pauses to allow the collected bubbles and particles to be removed from the second chamber. This periodic operation allows the system to maintain high imaging productivity while periodically eliminating contaminants.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If fluid is replaced periodically to maintain performance, then component reliability is improved, but system downtime and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid performanceVSAvoidmaintenance complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary separation of bubbles and particles from the fluid during normal operation through centrifugal forces. By continuously collecting contaminants in the second chamber before they can degrade fluid performance, the system eliminates the need for periodic fluid replacement, reducing maintenance complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system serves itself by using its own rotation to automatically separate and collect contaminants from the fluid. The centrifugal separation mechanism and collection chamber work autonomously to maintain fluid quality without requiring external intervention or periodic maintenance, thereby reducing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Reduces the impact of bubbles and particles on component performance by utilizing centrifugal forces to segregate and remove them, maintaining efficient operation of CT imaging systems.

Implementation Method 1

the chamber is configured to receive bubbles or particles in the fluid which are forced radially with respect to the axis of rotation of the gantry as a result of centrifugal forces acting on the fluid during the rotation of the component around the axis of rotation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentUS20260102132A1Computed tomography imaging system with a component having a fluid reservoir

Publication Date: 2026.04.16 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV

AI summary

A computed tomography, CT, imaging system (100) includes a rotatable gantry (110), and a component (120). The component (120) is mechanically coupled to the gantry (110), and the gantry is configured to rotate the component around an axis of rotation (130). The component includes a reservoir (140) for containing a fluid, and a chamber (150). The chamber (150) is fluidically coupled to the reservoir (140), and the chamber is configured to receive bubbles (160) or particles (170) in the fluid which are forced radially (180) with respect to the axis of rotation (130) of the gantry (110) as a result of centrifugal forces acting on the fluid during the rotation of the component around the axis of rotation.