Gradient Coil Cooling Device Using Branched Foil Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling devices for gradient coils in magnetic resonance tomographs are inefficient due to their thickness, which limits cooling effectiveness and requires high current for field generation, and are costly and complex to manufacture.
Innovation Solution
A cooling device comprising two connected foils with branched cooling channels that allow fluid flow in multiple directions, reducing thickness and enhancing heat transfer, made from thermoplastic materials with support points and inflow/outflow channels for improved mechanical stability and fluid distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If cooling tubes are used in parallel arranged in serpentine shape, then cooling effect is achieved, but the cooling layer thickness becomes more than 5 mm and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling layer is segmented into multiple thin foils (at least two foils) with individually formed cooling channels. Each foil contains cooling channels that are connected to adjacent foils, creating a distributed network throughout the cooling layer. This segmentation allows the cooling function to be achieved with thinner individual layers compared to a single thick cooling tube structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple cooling channels are nested within the multi-foil structure. The cooling channels in different foils are connected such that cooling fluid flows through channels in sequence across multiple foils, effectively nesting the cooling function within a compact thick-ness profile. This nested arrangement achieves thorough cooling without requiring excessive overall thickness.
2Temperature
If cooling tubes are arranged in serpentine shape, then cooling coverage is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase due to hand arrangement of several hundred meters of tubing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses thin foils as the base structure for the cooling layer. These foils can be easily manufactured using standard foil-forming techniques and then connected to each other. The flexibility of thin foils allows them to be arranged and connected in various configurations to achieve comprehensive cooling coverage without the complexity of arranging long serpentine tubes by hand.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple foils with cooling channels are merged together through connections between adjacent foils. This merging creates an integrated cooling structure where the cooling fluid flows continuously through all foils. The combined structure achieves comprehensive cooling coverage while simplifying manufacturing compared to arranging individual long serpentine tubes.
3Device complexity
If linear channel structure of cooling tube is used, then simple structure is achieved, but cooling effect is adversely affected by constrictions at turning points
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling path is segmented into multiple channels distributed across different foils. Instead of a single linear channel with turning points, the cooling fluid flows through separate channels in each foil that are connected to adjacent foils. This segmentation eliminates the problematic turning points while maintaining comprehensive cooling coverage through the distributed channel network.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling channel arrangement transitions from a two-dimensional planar serpentine path to a three-dimensional distributed network across multiple foils. By utilizing the vertical dimension (stacking multiple foils), the cooling fluid can flow through channels in different planes without requiring sharp turning points, thereby maintaining simple channel structures while improving cooling effectiveness.
4Power
If coil conductors are disposed close to center, then field generation efficiency is improved, but cooling layer thickness must be minimized
Solution Approach 1:
The use of thin foils as the cooling layer structure enables the overall cooling layer thickness to be minimized. These thin foils can be positioned immediately adjacent to the coil conductors without adding significant thickness, allowing the coil conductors to be disposed close to the center for improved field generation efficiency while still providing effective cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling function is segmented into multiple thin foils rather than requiring a single thick cooling structure. This segmentation allows the cooling layers to be positioned closely around the coil conductors with minimal overall thickness, enabling the conductors to be placed near the center for optimal field generation while maintaining adequate cooling capability.
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 solution provides a thinner, more effective cooling device that reduces heat generation and cooling power requirements, simplifies manufacturing, and enhances mechanical stability, allowing for improved heat dissipation and reduced material costs.
Implementation Method 1
continuous cooling channels for a cooling fluid are formed
Implementation Method 2
remove heat arising when power is supplied to the flat coils
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling device for disposal between two flat coils of a gradient coil has at least one first and with at least one second foil that are connected to each other in areas such that continuous cooling channels for a cooling fluid are formed. The cooling channels are branched, whereby an improved cooling effect is produced with a smaller thickness of the cooling device.