Dual-Loop Cooling System for MRI Phase-Change Heat Accumulators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cooling systems for magnetic resonance apparatuses are inadequate due to high energy consumption and heat generation during discontinuous operation, leading to inefficient cooling and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A dual-loop cooling system utilizing phase-change heat accumulators with different temperature ranges and heat exchange pipes with fins to achieve secondary cooling without energy consumption, reducing operating energy costs and ensuring stable, rapid cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If fixed-frequency or variable-frequency refrigeration systems are used for cooling, then the heat generating elements can be cooled to operate at stable temperature, but the energy consumption increases significantly during discontinuous operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-cools the circulating fluid using phase-change heat accumulators before the actual cooling is needed. The phase-change materials store cooling capacity in advance, so when the magnetic resonance apparatus operates, the pre-stored cooling effect is immediately activated, avoiding the need to run high-power refrigeration systems continuously and thus reducing energy consumption during discontinuous operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the temperature parameters of the circulating fluid through two-stage cooling: first cooling to an intermediate temperature using the first phase-change heat accumulator, then further cooling to the target temperature using the second phase-change heat accumulator. This parameter change approach enables efficient cooling that adapts to discontinuous operation patterns
2Stability of the object's composition
If refrigeration systems operate continuously to maintain cooling capacity, then cooling stability is improved, but heat generation from the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The phase-change heat accumulators provide self-service cooling by automatically absorbing heat during phase change without requiring active refrigeration system operation. The circulating fluid passes through the phase-change materials which passively absorb heat during the phase transition process, eliminating the need for continuous refrigeration system operation and the associated heat generation
3Speed
If high cooling capacity is provided to handle peak loads, then rapid cooling is achieved, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into two independent cooling loops, each with its own phase-change heat accumulator operating at different temperature levels. The first cooling loop handles preliminary cooling, while the second cooling loop provides rapid final cooling. This segmentation allows the system to achieve rapid cooling when needed while keeping each individual loop relatively simple and manageable
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 dual-loop cooling system effectively reduces energy consumption and operating costs while maintaining stable and rapid cooling of magnetic resonance apparatus components, even during intermittent operation.
Implementation Method 1
The first cooling tank is filled with a first phase-change heat accumulator. The heat exchange pipe penetrates the first cooling tank and is in contact with the first phase-change heat accumulator. The second cooling tank is filled with a second phase-change heat accumulator.
Implementation Method 2
The heat exchange pipe penetrates the first cooling tank and is in contact with the first phase-change heat accumulator. The secondary circulating fluid pipe penetrates the second cooling tank, and is in contact with the second phase-change heat accumulator. The primary circulating fluid pipe penetrates the second cooling tank, and is in contact with the second phase-change heat accumulator.
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling system of a magnetic resonance apparatus is disclosed. In the cooling system, a first cooling device and a second cooling device are used to realize a secondary step of cooling of a circulating fluid without energy consumption, thereby reducing the operating energy consumption of the cooling system. In addition, a magnetic resonance apparatus comprising the cooling system is further provided.