MRI Cryogenic Cooling Switch for Faster Magnet Cooldown
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional magnetic resonance devices with cryocoolers require excessive time for cooling superconducting magnet coils from room temperature to operating temperature, and quench recovery is slow, posing challenges for timely delivery and operation.
Innovation Solution
A cryogenic system with a switching device that controls a second cryocooler to activate or deactivate based on temperature, allowing parallel operation with a first cryocooler only during high cooling demand periods, using a heat switch to efficiently manage thermal energy transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If a single cryocooler is used to cool superconducting magnet coils, then the system structure is simple, but the cooling time from room temperature to operating temperature is excessively long (up to 120 days for 7.0 T device)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cooling function into multiple independent cryocoolers: a first cryocooler for maintaining operating temperature and a second cryocooler for rapid pre-cooling. This segmentation allows each cryocooler to be optimized for its specific function, with the second cryocooler handling the initial cooling from room temperature to reduce overall cooling time significantly.
Solution Approach 2:
The second cryocooler performs preliminary cooling action by cooling the superconducting magnet coils from room temperature to a lower temperature range before the first cryocooler takes over for final temperature maintenance. This preliminary action reduces the time required for the main cooling process.
2Productivity
If a second cryocooler operates in parallel with the first cryocooler continuously, then cooling capacity is increased, but operational costs increase due to unnecessary energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of the second cryocooler through a switching device that activates or deactivates the second cryocooler based on real-time temperature conditions. The second cryocooler operates in parallel only when needed (during pre-cooling phases or after quenches) and is deactivated when the first cryocooler can maintain temperature independently, optimizing energy usage while maintaining adequate cooling capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The switching device monitors temperature conditions and provides feedback control for the second cryocooler operation. When temperature thresholds are met, the switching device activates or deactivates the second cryocooler, ensuring it operates only when necessary to maintain cooling capacity while minimizing energy consumption during normal operation.
3Loss of time
If pre-cooling loops are used at production sites, then cooling time is reduced, but the solution is not practical for customer sites due to infrastructure requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the second cryocooler directly into the magnetic resonance device system, making it a self-contained solution that does not require external liquid cryogen infrastructure. The second cryocooler provides self-service pre-cooling capability that works at any customer site without needing liquid nitrogen or other external cryogen supplies, thereby reducing cooling time while maintaining universal site adaptability.
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
Reduces cooling time by up to a factor of 2.5-3 and lowers operational costs by optimizing cryocooler usage, ensuring rapid magnet coil cooling and efficient energy use.
Implementation Method 1
a first cryocooler (31a) which is thermally connected to the at least one superconducting magnet
Implementation Method 2
a heat switch (44) which is configured to thermally connect the component of the magnet arrangement to the second cryocooler (31b) when a temperature of the component of the magnet arrangement exceeds a predefined temperature level
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a cryogenic system for a magnetic resonance device, comprising a magnet arrangement including at least one superconducting magnet, a first cryocooler thermally connected to the at least one superconducting magnet, a switching device, and a second cryocooler configured to cool a component of the magnet arrangement in dependence of the switching device, wherein the switching device is configured to enable cooling of the component of the magnet arrangement via the second cryocooler when a temperature of the component of the magnet arrangement exceeds a predefined temperature level, and to disable cooling of the component of the magnet arrangement via the second cryocooler when the temperature of the component of the magnet arrangement is below the predefined temperature level. The disclosure further relates to a magnetic resonance device, comprising a cryogenic system.