Gradient Coil Fault Detection via Simulation Model
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current magnetic resonance imaging systems require additional components and material for monitoring current measuring means, and existing methods fail to detect faults like short-circuits or ruptures within gradient coils, leading to potential malfunctions and reduced system stability.
Innovation Solution
A method using a simulation computer to model operational characteristics of the gradient power amplifier and coil, allowing for the determination of target current values and generation of fault signals based on deviations, eliminating the need for a current sensor and enabling detection of faults in both forward and return current paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a current sensor is added to monitor the current measuring means, then the reliability of current measurement is improved, but the device complexity and material outlay increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual model (copy) of the gradient coil's electrical characteristics including resistance, inductance, and capacitance. This model allows the system to calculate expected current values based on control signals without requiring physical additional sensors, thus maintaining measurement reliability while avoiding increased device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the physical current sensor monitoring system with a computational approach using electrical characteristic models and calculations. This substitution eliminates the need for additional hardware sensors while maintaining the ability to detect measurement deviations and faults
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional current monitoring methods are used, then simple implementation is achieved, but faults like short-circuits or ruptures in gradient coils cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a comprehensive virtual model of the gradient coil's electrical characteristics (resistance, inductance, capacitance) that enables detection of various fault conditions including short-circuits and ruptures. This modeling approach provides complete fault detection capability without complicating the implementation, as it uses existing control signals and computational models
3Measurement precision
If additional current sensors and monitoring components are installed, then measurement verification is improved, but switching and material outlay increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a virtual electrical model (software copy) instead of physical additional sensors to verify current measurements. This approach maintains measurement precision through computational verification while eliminating the need for additional physical components and materials
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own existing control signals and electrical characteristic models to perform self-verification of current measurements. The gradient coil model and control signals already present in the system are utilized for monitoring purposes, eliminating the need for additional external components
Data Source
AI summary
In method for operating a magnetic resonance apparatus that has a gradient power amplifier that supplies a voltage to a gradient coil, and a gradient power amplifier control processor that provides control a control signal thereto that predetermines the aforementioned voltage, and a simulation computer that models an operational characteristic of each of the gradient coil the gradient power amplifier, an actual current value of a current fed into the gradient coil by the gradient power amplifier is measured and a target current value of the current fed into the gradient coil by the gradient power amplifier is determined by the simulation computer, using the control signal as an input variable. A fault signal is generated as a function of a determined deviation in the actual current value from the target current value.