MR Magnet Thermal-Insulation Assembly With Reversible Venting Cap
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Solution Overview
Problem
MR tomography apparatuses face significant coolant loss and logistical challenges during transportation due to the inability to prevent heating of the coolant, leading to vaporization and the need for rapid installation to avoid complete evaporation of the coolant reserve, which is costly and complex.
Innovation Solution
An assembly for thermal insulation of MR magnets featuring a protective cap that can be reversibly sealed to reduce heat transfer, combined with a venting system that manages coolant gas pressure and flow to minimize heat input, utilizing vacuum insulation and materials with low thermal conductivity to enhance thermal efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the cooling unit is not operated during transportation, then the MR magnet can be transported without continuous cooling, but the coolant heats up and vaporizes causing significant coolant loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful heat that would normally cause coolant vaporization into a beneficial cooling mechanism. The ventilation structure allows vaporized coolant to escape while simultaneously using this vaporized coolant to cool the thermal insulation structures (vessels and foils), thereby reducing their thermal conductivity and minimizing further coolant loss. This transforms the harmful heating effect into a self-regulating cooling system.
Solution Approach 2:
The ventilation structure serves as an intermediary element that mediates between the heated coolant and the thermal insulation system. It selectively allows vaporized coolant to pass through while directing it to cool the insulation structures, acting as a bridge that converts the harmful vaporization into a useful cooling function without requiring active cooling operation during transport.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the cooling unit is not operated during transportation, then energy consumption is reduced, but the coolant temperature increases leading to vaporization and coolant loss
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by using its own vaporized coolant to cool the thermal insulation structures. The ventilation structure enables the vaporized coolant to automatically cool the vessels and foils without requiring external energy input or active cooling operation. This self-regulating mechanism reduces both energy consumption and coolant loss simultaneously by utilizing the system's own resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of coolant vaporization (which normally indicates overheating and potential loss) into a beneficial self-cooling mechanism. The vaporized coolant, instead of representing pure loss, actively cools the insulation structures, reducing their thermal conductivity and preventing further excessive heating and coolant vaporization.
3Temperature
If the protective cap completely seals the opening, then thermal insulation is maximized, but the system cannot vent vaporized coolant leading to pressure buildup
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cap implements local quality by having different sealing characteristics in different regions. The cap is equipped with a ventilation structure that creates localized openings in specific areas while maintaining sealing in other regions. This allows the system to achieve both thermal insulation (through the sealed portions) and pressure relief (through the ventilation openings), with each local area serving its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective cap serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides thermal insulation by sealing the opening, it vents vaporized coolant through the ventilation structure to prevent pressure buildup, and it directs the vaporized coolant to cool the thermal insulation structures. This multi-functional design resolves the contradiction between sealing for insulation and venting for pressure management.
4Ease of operation
If the container opening is left open for cooling unit access, then the cooling unit can be easily installed and removed, but thermal insulation is compromised allowing heat transfer to the coolant
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cap is designed to be installed in advance during the transportation process, sealing the opening before the cooling unit needs to be accessed. This preliminary sealing action maintains thermal insulation during transport, and the cap can be easily removed or opened when the cooling unit needs to be installed or serviced, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining insulation and allowing access.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective cap system is designed to be dynamic rather than fixed - it can be installed and removed as needed. During transportation, the cap is installed to provide thermal insulation. When the cooling unit needs to be accessed, the cap can be easily removed. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to different operational requirements, maintaining insulation when needed and allowing access when needed.
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 significantly reduces coolant loss and heat input during transportation, allowing for safer and more efficient logistical handling of MR tomography apparatuses by maintaining effective thermal insulation without the need for continuous cooling, thus minimizing financial losses and operational complexity.
Implementation Method 1
the container is equipped with thermal insulation that insulates the interior of the container from its exterior environment
Implementation Method 2
the protective cap is likewise equipped with thermal insulation
Implementation Method 3
a venting system that manages coolant gas pressure and flow to minimize heat input
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly for thermal insulation of an MR magnet system during such a transport has a container for accommodating an MR magnet, the container being equipped with thermal insulation, and the container has an opening for accommodating a cooling unit. The assembly further has a protective cap, such that the opening is sealed in a reversible manner by the protective cap, and the protective cap is likewise equipped with thermal insulation.