MRI Video Projector Liquid Cooling with Remote Pump
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional video projectors fail to effectively cool in the vicinity of MRI systems due to high heat flux and magnetic interference, leading to premature failure and inadequate cooling.
Innovation Solution
A water-cooled projector system with a remotely positioned, magnetically shielded pump and flexible tubing for efficient heat dissipation using a heat sink block, eliminating the need for cooling fans and ensuring operation within MRI magnetic fields.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional air cooling system is used in the projector, then the device complexity is reduced, but the cooling effectiveness is insufficient due to high heat flux and magnetic field interference
Solution Approach 1:
The pump is extracted from the projector housing and positioned remotely outside the MRI bore, separating the magnetic field-sensitive component from the high magnetic field environment while maintaining cooling functionality through flexible fluid conduits
Solution Approach 2:
Flexible fluid conduits act as intermediaries to transfer coolant between the remotely positioned pump and the heat sink within the projector, enabling cooling without direct mechanical connection to the magnetic field zone
2Ease of operation
If the projector is placed close to the MRI bore for operational reasons, then the ease of operation is improved, but the magnetic field causes harmful effects on the projector components
Solution Approach 1:
The pump is removed from the projector housing and positioned remotely outside the MRI bore, separating the magnetic field-sensitive component from the high magnetic field environment while maintaining cooling functionality through flexible fluid conduits
Solution Approach 2:
The conventional mechanical fan-based cooling system is replaced with a liquid circulation system that uses fluid dynamics rather than mechanical rotation, eliminating magnetic interference with motorized cooling components
3Volume of moving object
If a compact projector design is used, then the volume is reduced, but the heat dissipation capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The pump is extracted from the projector housing and positioned remotely outside the MRI bore, separating the magnetic field-sensitive component from the high magnetic field environment while maintaining cooling functionality through flexible fluid conduits
Solution Approach 2:
A liquid cooling system using hydraulic principles is implemented, where coolant circulates through the heat sink and flexible conduits to efficiently remove heat from the compact projector without requiring large internal cooling components
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 liquid cooling system maintains projector temperature within recommended levels, enhancing the projector's lifespan and image quality while preventing magnetic interference and heat-related issues.
Implementation Method 1
a heat sink block (16) constructed from a heat collecting material... heat from said projector light is drawn into the heat sink block
Implementation Method 2
The circulation system is a remotely positioned motor driven pump that is positioned at a distance that is not affected by the MRI magnet to provide fluid circulation... providing proper cooling
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a liquid cooling system for use with MRI positioned video projectors to dissipate heat from the projector light source through liquid cooling. The system includes a heat sink body for mounting to the projector light source, the heat sink body constructed of a material to transfer heat away from the projector light. A remotely mounted motor-driven pump provides fluid circulation, the pump is constructed and/or mounted so as to not to be effected by the MRI magnetic field. The pump is coupled to the heat sink block by use of flexible tubing that is constructed and arranged to provide heat transfer to the environment thereby maintaining the projector light source temperature at a reduced level. A liquid reservoir is fluidly coupled to the pump intake for use in maintaining liquid levels at an optimum position.