Dry-Cooled MR Magnet Coil Charging With Temperature Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing super-conductive MR magnet coil systems in magnetic resonance apparatuses require manual intervention by skilled personnel for electrical charging, which is time-consuming and prone to errors, and lack autonomous operation capabilities.
Innovation Solution
An automated method and system for electrical charging of super-conductive MR magnet coil systems using a control unit to monitor and control temperature and pressure, allowing autonomous charging and cooling without human intervention, utilizing a cryostat with a neck tube and a closed cavity filled with cryogenic fluid, and a control unit to manage the charging process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual charging by skilled personnel is used, then safety and precision are maintained, but time consumption and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables autonomous self-service charging through an automated control unit that monitors temperature, controls charging current, and manages the entire charging process without human intervention. The control unit automatically adjusts parameters and detects anomalies, allowing the magnet system to charge itself safely and efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback monitoring of temperature and charging current parameters. The control unit receives real-time data from sensors, compares it against predefined safety thresholds, and automatically adjusts charging parameters or interrupts charging when limits are approached, ensuring safe operation while maximizing charging speed.
2Reliability
If manual charging procedures are followed, then error risks are minimized, but personnel costs and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The automated control unit performs all charging operations autonomously, eliminating the need for skilled personnel to manually manage the charging process. The system self-monitors parameters, self-adjusts settings, and self-protects against errors, making operation simple while maintaining high accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical operations with automated electronic control. The control unit uses electronic sensors, processors, and actuators to monitor and control charging parameters, substituting human operators and manual procedures with an automated electronic system that provides consistent, error-free operation.
3Loss of substance
If dry cooling without cryogen bath is used, then helium consumption is reduced, but susceptibility to cooling failures increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors cooling system parameters including temperature and pressure. When anomalies are detected that indicate potential cooling failures, the control unit automatically responds by adjusting charging parameters or interrupting charging to prevent quenching, thereby compensating for the reduced buffering capacity of dry cooling systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements preventive measures by continuously monitoring cooling system status and preparing contingency plans. Before actual failures occur, the control unit detects early signs of cooling problems and takes preventive action, such as slowing down or pausing charging, to cushion against the increased vulnerability of dry-cooled systems.
4Productivity
If autonomous charging is implemented, then operational efficiency increases, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit is designed as a multi-functional device that integrates temperature monitoring, current control, safety threshold management, and automated decision-making capabilities. By consolidating multiple functions into a single universal controller, the system achieves autonomous operation without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
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 fully autonomous and safe electrical charging of MR magnet coils, reducing downtime, saving personnel costs, and ensuring reliable operation with minimized risk of quenching or damage, while allowing for faster reaching of operational specifications.
Implementation Method 1
a closed cavity which is sealed fluid-tight with respect to the MR magnet coil system to be cooled and is at least partially filled with a cryogenic fluid
Implementation Method 2
the super-conductive MR magnet coil system is cooled to a super-conductive temperature and then supplied with an electrical charging current
Data Source
AI summary
An operating method for a magnetic resonance (=“MR”) apparatus (10) with a cryogen-free super-conductive MR magnet coil system (12) is characterized by the following steps for autonomous electrical charging of the super-conductive MR magnet coil system:(a1) initiating a cooling operation of the coil system;(a2) initiating an automatic current charging program;(b1) measuring the actual temperature Tcoil on the coil system and comparing Tcoil with a predefinable first temperature setpoint value T1ramp as of which the coil system is super-conductive and should be charged;(b2) if Tcoil≤T1ramp: supplying a charging current to the coil system and charging the coil system with electric current;(c) measuring the electric current Icoil currently flowing in the coil system and comparing Icoil with a predefinable first current setpoint value I1target at which the coil system generates a desired magnetic field strength;(d) repeating steps (b1), (b2) and (c) until Icoil=|Itarget,(e) deactivating the current supply to the coil system and stopping the automatic current charging program.The magnet coil system can thus be autonomously charged with electric current.