CT Scanner Energy Storage for Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical CT scanners require high power intermittently, which is not efficiently met by standard single-phase power sources, leading to the need for dedicated three-phase connections, limiting portability and availability, especially in areas with unstable power infrastructure.
Innovation Solution
An energy storage component is placed in the stationary portion of the CT scanner to store electrical power from an external source, providing it on demand to the rotating portion, allowing for sufficient power during scans without the need for continuous three-phase connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dedicated three-phase power connection is used to provide high power continuously, then the power availability is improved, but the portability and installation complexity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by charging the energy storage component (batteries) during periods when power is not critically needed or when lower power levels are sufficient. This allows the system to accumulate energy in advance, so that when high power is needed for CT scanning, the stored energy can be delivered immediately without requiring a dedicated three-phase power connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy storage component acts as an intermediary between the standard power source and the high-power CT scanner. It decouples the scanner from the requirement for dedicated three-phase power by buffering power delivery - charging from standard sources and discharging to meet peak demands, thereby eliminating the need for complex dedicated power infrastructure.
2Power
If batteries are installed on the rotating gantry side to provide power, then the power delivery capability is improved, but the weight and balance complexity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The energy storage component serves as a stationary intermediary that decouples power delivery from the rotating gantry. Instead of placing batteries on the rotating side, the system uses a stationary energy storage component that interfaces between the power source and the rotating components, eliminating the need to add weight to the moving parts while still providing high power delivery capability when needed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If standard single-phase power sources are used, then the portability is improved, but the power sufficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses preliminary action by accumulating energy in the stationary energy storage component during periods when standard single-phase power is sufficient (during idle times or lower-power operations). This pre-charging allows the system to later deliver high power levels that exceed what standard single-phase sources can provide continuously, thereby maintaining portability while achieving power sufficiency when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic action by alternating between charging the energy storage component from standard power sources during low-demand periods and discharging to meet high-power demands during scanning operations. This periodic charge-discharge cycle allows the system to use modest power sources continuously while delivering high power intermittently, resolving the contradiction between portability and power sufficiency.
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 enables medical CT scanners to operate with standard power sources, enhancing portability and availability, especially in areas with unstable power, by storing energy for intermittent high-power demands.
Implementation Method 1
an energy storage component that is disposed in a stationary portion of the CT scanner. The energy storage component is configured to receive electrical power from an external source, store the electrical power, and provide the stored electrical power for an operation on a rotating portion of the CT scanner upon demand
Data Source
AI summary
One or more techniques and/or systems described herein implement, among other things, an energy storage component disposed in a stationary portion (e.g., non-rotating portion) of a CT scanning apparatus. The energy storage component receives electrical power from an external source, such as a power outlet, and stores the electrical power. The stored electrical power is provided for an operation on a rotating portion (e.g., non-stationary) of the CT scanning apparatus upon demand, and is sufficient to perform the operation alone or in combination with power from the external source.