MRI Superconducting Coil Cooling Brackets for Heat and Hoop Stress

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Solution Overview

Problem

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) devices face challenges with hoop stresses and heat management in superconducting magnets, which can damage coils and reduce performance, and existing cooling methods like helium baths increase complexity and cost.

Innovation Solution

A structure comprising a rim and lid made of materials with high thermal conductivity, combined with a bracket for structural support, shields coils from stray magnetic fields and dissipates heat, mitigating hoop stresses and enabling high-temperature operation without full immersion in cooling baths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a cooling bath with helium is used to remove heat from superconducting coils, then heat dissipation is improved, but device complexity and maintenance cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat dissipationVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential cooling function from the complex helium bath system and implements it through a simplified solid or liquid cooling plate structure that contacts the superconducting coil directly, removing the need for bulky cooling baths while maintaining effective heat dissipation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a cooling plate as an intermediary thermal conduction medium between the superconducting coil and the cooling system, enabling efficient heat transfer without requiring direct immersion in complex cooling baths

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If overbanding with wire layers is used to provide stabilizing force against radial hoop stresses, then mechanical stability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical stabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the structural support function with the existing coil assembly by integrating a support structure that combines radial and axial support elements into a unified configuration, reducing the need for separate overbanding layers while maintaining mechanical stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite structural design combining different materials with complementary properties - such as high-strength alloys for radial support and rigid structural elements for axial support - to achieve superior mechanical stability without requiring multiple layers of overbanding material

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Temperature

If superconducting coils operate at high temperatures, then cooling system complexity is reduced, but heat management becomes more challenging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperating temperatureVSAvoidheat management

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary thermal management by providing direct thermal contact between the superconducting coil and the cooling plate before excessive heat accumulation occurs, enabling proactive heat dissipation that allows higher operating temperatures without compromising thermal control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes materials with specifically optimized thermal conductivity parameters for the cooling plate and support structure, enabling efficient heat management at elevated operating temperatures through carefully selected material properties rather than relying on extreme cooling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 effectively manages hoop stresses and heat dissipation, allowing superconducting coils to operate at high temperatures without helium baths, reducing complexity and cost while maintaining coil integrity.

Implementation Method 1

the rim and the lid are adapted to shield the electrically superconducting coil from non-stationary stray magnetic fields and conduct heat generated in the apparatus away from the superconducting coil

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

the rim and the lid are adapted to shield the electrically superconducting coil from non-stationary stray magnetic fields

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic shielding: Faraday Cage

Data Source

PatentEP4682570A1Cooling brackets for superconducting magnets and a magnetic resonance imaging device having the cooling brackets

Publication Date: 2026.01.21 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV

Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B

AI summary

A magnetic resonance imaging device (100) is described, including: an electrically superconducting coil (203); a rim (204) disposed around all but one side of the electrically superconducting coil (203). The rim (204) includes a material with a thermal conductivity in the range of approximately 300 W/m/K to approximately 10000 W/m/K. The device (100) also includes a bracket (201) disposed over the one side of the electrically superconducting coil (203); and a lid (202) disposed over the bracket (201). The rim (204) and the lid (202) are adapted to shield the electrically superconducting coil (203) from non-stationary stray magnetic fields and conduct heat generated in the device (100) away from the electrically superconducting coil (203).