Electromagnetic Rotary Slip Ring for Quiet CT Signal Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing computed tomography devices face issues with carbon powder generation and noise from carbon brushes, unreliable power and signal transmission due to slip ring faults, and manufacturing challenges with large-sized slip rings.

Innovation Solution

A rotary assembly with electromagnetically coupled transmitting and receiving antennas on a stator and rotor disk, along with a metal skeleton in the slip ring, ensuring stable and silent power and data transmission, and improved rigidity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If carbon brushes and copper slideways are used for power transmission in the slip ring, then power transmission is achieved, but carbon powder is generated and noise is produced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower transmission efficiencyVSAvoidcarbon powder and noise
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical contact-based carbon brush and copper slideway system with an electromagnetic coupling system consisting of transmitting and receiving antennas. This substitution eliminates the mechanical friction that generates carbon powder and noise, while maintaining efficient power transmission through electromagnetic energy transfer between the rotating component and stationary component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If a single line is used for power and signal transmission in the slip ring, then transmission is simplified, but reliability decreases when faults occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission line structureVSAvoidpower and signal transmission reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the transmission function into multiple independent antenna elements (at least one transmitting antenna and at least one receiving antenna). These antennas operate in parallel, creating multiple independent transmission channels. When a fault occurs in one antenna, the system can continue operating through the other antennas, thereby improving reliability while maintaining manageable system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Loss of information

If a large-sized slip ring is used to carry multiple data transmission channels, then data transmission capacity is improved, but manufacturing difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission capacityVSAvoidmanufacturing difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the data transmission function into multiple independent antenna pairs, each capable of handling specific data channels. This modular approach allows the system to achieve high data transmission capacity without requiring a single large, complex slip ring structure. Each antenna element can be manufactured and tested independently, significantly reducing manufacturing difficulty.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Strength

If the metal skeleton is added inside the large-sized slip ring, then rigidity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveslip ring rigidityVSAvoidslip ring structure
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite structure combining the slip ring body with an internal metal skeleton framework. This composite design provides enhanced rigidity and structural strength to support the antenna elements and withstand operational forces, while the skeleton's strategic placement optimizes strength-to-weight ratio and minimizes unnecessary material, thereby controlling device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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

Enhances signal integrity, reduces carbon powder and noise, maintains transmission stability even with coil faults, and facilitates easier manufacturing of large-sized slip rings.

Implementation Method 1

at least one transmitting antenna disposed on a mating surface of one of the stator disk or the rotor disk, and at least one receiving antenna disposed on the mating surface of the other of the stator disk or the rotor disk. The transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna are electromagnetically coupled to maintain signal integrity during relative rotation.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic coupling: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4700977A1Rotary assembly for therapeutic device and computed tomography device
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 SHANGHAI UNITED IMAGING HEALTHCARE
  • EP4700977A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4700977A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4700977A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a rotary assembly. The rotary assembly comprises a stator disk, a rotor disk rotationally cooperated with the stator disk, at least one transmitting antenna disposed on a mating surface of one of the stator disk or the rotor disk, and at least one receiving antenna disposed on the mating surface of the other of the stator disk or the rotor disk. The transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna are electromagnetically coupled to maintain signal integrity during relative rotation.