Liquid-Cooled Filter Unit for MRI Gradient Cable Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filter units for cable connections between gradient coil units and gradient controllers in magnetic resonance imaging devices face challenges in maintaining efficient power transfer and cooling while ensuring RF shielding, often leading to noise and wear due to air-cooling systems.
Innovation Solution
A filter unit with integrated cooling, using a cooling medium to actively cool filters and cable units, comprising a cooling line, pump, and a cooling circuit, which is independent of the overall cooling unit, and includes multiple filters and sub-cooling lines for efficient heat dissipation and quiet operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If air cooling with fans is used to cool the filter, then cooling effect is achieved, but noise level increases and wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical air-cooling system with fans (which generate noise and wear) with a liquid-cooling system using a cooling medium circulating through cooling channels. This substitution eliminates the harmful mechanical elements while maintaining effective cooling of the filter.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a liquid cooling system where a cooling medium flows through cooling channels in thermal contact with the filter. This hydraulic system provides efficient heat transfer without the noise and wear associated with mechanical fan-based air cooling.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If filtering of the cable unit is implemented to maintain RF shielding, then shielding action is maintained, but power transfer efficiency is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the filtering function by implementing separate filter elements (first filter and second filter) positioned at different locations along the cable unit. This allows the cable to be divided into sections with different filtering characteristics, optimizing both RF shielding and power transfer in different regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different filtering characteristics to different sections of the cable unit. The first filter is positioned in a first section and the second filter in a second section, allowing local optimization of shielding and power transfer properties according to the specific requirements of each cable section.
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 robust and interference-free operation of gradient coil units with efficient power transfer, reduced noise, and lower maintenance, while maintaining RF shielding, and allows for compact and flexible system design.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling line, through which a cooling medium can flow, and the cooling unit is configured to cool, in particular actively cool, the filter
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a filter unit for a cable unit connecting a gradient coil unit to a gradient controller. The filter unit may include a filter and a cooler. The cooler may include a cooling line through which a cooling medium can flow. The cooler may be configured to cool the filter.