Magnetic-Field-Compatible Cooling Device for MRI Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional MRI devices face challenges in efficiently cooling internal units due to the inability to install air cooling mechanisms near the gantry device or imaging room because of magnetic interference, leading to inefficient air cooling and high construction costs from requiring separate machinery rooms.
Innovation Solution
A cooling device that combines water and air cooling mechanisms, where air cooling is achieved without fans by using a Venturi effect with cooling water flow to discharge warmed air, allowing installation in magnetic environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If an air cooling mechanism using a fan is installed near the gantry device or in the imaging room, then the cooling efficiency is improved, but the motor cannot function properly due to magnetic field interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the motor-driven fan with a magnetic field-free air blowing mechanism. Specifically, it uses the kinetic energy of cooling water flow to drive a water wheel, which in turn rotates a fan blade to generate airflow. This mechanical substitution eliminates the need for electric motors that would be affected by magnetic fields, allowing the air cooling mechanism to be installed in the imaging room near the gantry device while maintaining both cooling efficiency and operational reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes hydraulic energy from the cooling water flow to power the air cooling mechanism. The cooling water drives a water wheel through its flow energy, and this mechanical energy is transferred to rotate the fan blade. This pneumatic-hydraulic coupling allows the system to generate sufficient airflow for cooling without using electric motors, thereby resolving the contradiction between cooling efficiency and motor reliability in magnetic environments
2Reliability
If the air cooling mechanism is installed in a separate machinery room, then the magnetic field interference is avoided, but the air flow channel becomes long and cooling efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the air cooling mechanism with the water cooling system by utilizing the kinetic energy of the cooling water flow to drive the air cooling fan. This integration allows both cooling mechanisms to be installed together in the imaging room near the gantry device, eliminating the need for separate machinery rooms and shortening the air flow channel length, thereby maintaining high cooling efficiency while avoiding magnetic field interference
3Reliability
If an exhaust duct is laid between the imaging room and machinery room, then the air cooling mechanism can be installed in the machinery room, but the construction costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the motor component from the air cooling mechanism, replacing it with a magnetic field-free mechanical drive system. This extraction allows the air cooling mechanism to be installed directly in the imaging room without requiring separate machinery rooms or complex exhaust ductwork, significantly reducing construction costs while maintaining motor operation reliability through the use of magnetic field-independent mechanical components
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
Enables efficient cooling of internal units in MRI devices without the need for separate machinery rooms, reducing installation costs and maintaining cooling efficiency under magnetic fields.
Implementation Method 1
a water cooling mechanism configured to cool the constituent element by cooling a cooling plate with a flow of water flowing through a pipe passing through the cooling plate
Implementation Method 2
at least one air cooling mechanism arranged on an outgoing side where the flow of water flowing through the pipe is outgoing from the housing and configured to cool the constituent element by discharging air in the housing along with the water flow in accordance with the water flow
Data Source
AI summary
According to an embodiment, a cooling device for cooling a constituent element housed in a housing of a unit subjected to an influence of a generated magnetic field includes a water cooling mechanism and at least one air cooling mechanism. The water cooling mechanism cools the constituent element by cooling a cooling plate with a flow of water flowing through a pipe passing through the cooling plate arranged in the housing. The air cooling mechanism is arranged on an outgoing side where the flow of water flowing through the pipe is outgoing from the housing and cools the constituent element by discharging air in the housing along with the water flow in accordance with the water flow.