MRI Liquid Helium Cooling System Power Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners have high energy consumption due to liquid helium cooling requirements, leading to helium evaporation and potential venting issues, which is problematic especially when renewable energy sources are unreliable.
Innovation Solution
A method for operating a liquid helium cooling system that involves a power-saving mode during off-peak electrical power availability times and reverts to standard operating mode before scans to prevent helium venting, using two timetables to manage scan times and electrical power levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the helium liquifying device operates in standard operating mode continuously, then helium remains in liquid phase without venting, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between standard operating mode and power-saving mode based on operational requirements. The control unit monitors system state and adjusts the liquifying device operation accordingly, making the system adaptable rather than static.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquifying device operates periodically - active during scan operations to maintain helium in liquid phase, and inactive during off-times when scanning is not performed. This periodic operation reduces overall energy consumption while ensuring reliability when needed.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the helium liquifying device switches to power-saving mode during off-times, then energy consumption reduces, but helium may evaporate and require venting
Solution Approach 1:
The system activates the standard operating mode at a predefined time before the next scan to pre-cool and prepare the helium system. This preliminary action ensures that when scanning resumes, the helium is already in the required liquid phase, preventing venting issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit monitors system parameters and adjusts operation based on feedback about helium state and scanning schedules. This closed-loop control ensures the system transitions between modes optimally, maintaining reliability while minimizing energy use.
3Reliability
If the system activates standard operating mode before scan times, then helium levels are reliable for scanning, but energy consumption increases during off-times
Solution Approach 1:
The system activates the standard operating mode at a predefined time before the next scan to pre-cool and prepare the helium system. This preliminary action ensures that when scanning resumes, the helium is already in the required liquid phase, preventing venting issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by switching between standard operating mode (high power) and power-saving mode (low or zero power) based on the timing relative to scan operations. This parameter change optimizes the balance between reliability and energy consumption.
4Adaptability or versatility
If renewable energy sources are used for power supply, then sustainability improves, but power availability becomes variable and unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts its operation to match the variable availability of renewable energy. By scheduling power-saving mode during off-times and activating standard mode before scans, the system flexibly responds to fluctuating power supply conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes its operational parameters based on power availability, switching between high-power standard mode when energy is available and low-power saving mode when renewable energy is insufficient, thereby adapting to the variable nature of renewable power sources.
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 reduces energy consumption and ensures reliable helium levels in the MRI system, minimizing the need for helium replenishment and maintenance, while adapting to variable renewable energy availability.
Implementation Method 1
The liquifying device recondenses the helium that has evaporated back to the liquid state
Implementation Method 2
liquid helium cooling system... temperature of liquid helium being at about 4 Kelvin
Implementation Method 3
Due to the absorption of heat, the liquid helium will evaporate over time going into the gaseous phase
Implementation Method 4
superconductivity is need, which in turn requires correspondingly low temperatures
Implementation Method 5
the liquid helium will evaporate over time going into the gaseous phase
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a liquid helium cooling system of a magnetic resonance imaging system, comprises: providing a first timetable including scan times and a second timetable including a plurality of time slots associated with one of at least two different levels of electrical power availability; determining, based on the first timetable, off-times when the system is not used for scanning; determining, based on the second timetable, at least one time slot within the off-times that is not associated with the level of highest electrical power availability; activating a power-saving mode during the at least one time slot; and activating a standard operating mode of the liquifying device prior to start of the next scan time.