MRI Gradient Coil Dual-Direction Cooling for Uniform Temperature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional magnetic resonance imaging apparatuses face challenges in uniformly cooling gradient coils due to temperature gradients caused by coolant flow, leading to potential image quality issues and subject discomfort.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a dual cooling system within the gradient coil, where first and second cooling pipes circulate coolant in opposite directions, ensuring uniform cooling by balancing temperature differences and preventing temperature gradients.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single cooling pipe circulates coolant from one side to the other, then the cooling system is simple, but a temperature gradient occurs causing non-uniform cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into multiple cooling pipes (first cooling pipe and second cooling pipe) that are arranged in parallel within the gradient coil. Each pipe independently circulates coolant, allowing different regions of the gradient coil to be cooled separately, thereby eliminating temperature gradients and achieving uniform cooling across the entire coil.
2Ease of operation
If coolant flows through a single cooling pipe, then the system is easy to operate, but the gradient coil cannot be uniformly cooled
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is divided into multiple parallel cooling pipes, each handling a portion of the coolant flow. This segmentation allows independent temperature control in different regions while maintaining simple operation through centralized coolant supply and collection manifolds.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple cooling pipes are designed to create equipotential cooling conditions throughout the gradient coil by distributing coolant flow evenly across all pipes. This ensures that each region of the gradient coil experiences the same cooling effect, eliminating temperature gradients and achieving uniform temperature distribution.
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
This approach allows for uniform cooling of the gradient coil, maintaining image quality and reducing subject discomfort by effectively managing heat distribution, thereby enhancing the overall performance of the MRI apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a first cooling pipe which circulates a coolant in a first direction and a second cooling pipe which circulates the coolant in a second direction opposite to the first direction
Implementation Method 2
circulates a coolant in a certain direction... circulates a coolant in an opposite direction
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a gradient coil, a first cooling pipe, and a second cooling pipe. The gradient coil applies a gradient magnetic field onto a subject placed in a static magnetic field. The first cooling pipe is provided in the gradient coil, and circulates a coolant in a certain direction. The second cooling pipe is provided in the gradient coil so as to be in parallel with the first cooling pipe, and circulates a coolant in an opposite direction to a direction in which the first cooling pipe circulates the coolant.