CT Scanner Thermal Management for Meat Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Computed Tomography (CT) scanners, used for meat analysis, are expensive and complex, posing challenges in reliability and energy consumption in high-throughput industrial environments, and existing solutions do not optimize scanner usage effectively.
Innovation Solution
A meat processing apparatus featuring a CT scanner with a radiation-shielded chamber, automated handling system, and a controller that sequences carriers for optimal power usage and cooling, using a pre-scan inspection station to adjust scanner parameters based on meat density and volume, ensuring efficient and reliable scanning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a CT scanner is used for meat analysis in high-throughput industrial environments, then measurement precision and information quality are improved, but reliability and energy efficiency deteriorate due to heat generation and component wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic cooling cycles for the X-ray tube, alternating between scanning operations and cooling periods. The controller monitors scan counts and automatically initiates cooling sequences, allowing the scanner to operate in bursts rather than continuously. This periodic action prevents overheating and extends component life while maintaining measurement precision during active scanning periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary inspection of meat carriers using a pre-scan inspection station before full CT scanning. This preliminary action identifies carriers that require scanning and prepares the system in advance, allowing the main scanner to operate more efficiently with better-prepared inputs, reducing overall system stress and improving reliability.
2Productivity
If a CT scanner operates continuously to meet high throughput requirements, then productivity is improved, but energy consumption and heat generation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The controller implements periodic scanning cycles with integrated cooling periods, allowing the system to maintain high productivity over extended periods without continuous operation. The X-ray tube operates at full power during scanning intervals and receives controlled cooling during idle intervals, optimizing the balance between throughput and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts scanning parameters based on real-time conditions, including carrier inspection results and scanner thermal state. The controller modifies scan frequencies, exposure times, and cooling durations adaptively, allowing the system to maintain productivity while responding to changing energy and thermal conditions.
3Productivity
If scanner power is increased to maintain scanning speed, then productivity is improved, but heat generation and component wear increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic high-power scanning intervals followed by controlled cooling periods. During active scanning, the X-ray tube operates at high power to maintain productivity. During cooling intervals, the power is reduced or shut off completely, allowing heat dissipation. This periodic power cycling maintains average productivity while significantly reducing cumulative heat generation and component stress.
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
The apparatus enhances scanner reliability and energy efficiency by optimizing power consumption and cooling, enabling continuous and accurate meat analysis while minimizing wear and tear on the scanner equipment.
Implementation Method 1
a scanner with a scanner controller for analysis of meat parts such as whole or parts of carcasses... The scanner is preferably a tomography scanner which can emit and receive penetrating radiation for the purposes of analysis of internal volumes of the meat part. It is in one example a computed tomography (CT) scanner in which the radiation includes X-rays.
Data Source
AI summary
A meat processing apparatus has an automated analysis stage for analysing meat parts with penetrating radiation. Data is generated for sue in both feedforward and feedback information, and may be used for robotic control of trimming and boning operations. There is a radiation-shielded chamber within which there is a tomography scanner with a scanner controller, arranged to perform analysis of meat parts. A port is used for entry and exit of meat parts placed in carriers into and out of the chamber for analysis by the scanner, and a handling system performs automated movement of the carriers between the port and the scanner. The port has an interlock chamber, having an inner door and an outer door and a controller to ensure that while the scanner is operating only one door can open. The meat parts are inspected automatically by an inspection station and a controller of the inspection station feeds forward data which is used by the scanner controller to control scanner operation according to meat part physical attributes.