Superconducting Magnet Training for MRI Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
High magnetic field superconducting magnets in MRI apparatuses face challenges with distortion release due to cooling and electromagnetic forces, leading to quench occurrences and extended installation periods, which complicates transportation and increases helium consumption and costs.
Innovation Solution
A method involving pre-training of superconducting magnets at a facility separate from the installation site, where the magnets are cooled and excited to release distortion energy, then transported in a cooled state, reducing the need for further training and helium usage, and utilizing a dock for helium recovery and efficient supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the superconducting magnet is cooled and excited repeatedly to release distortion energy, then the reliability of the superconducting magnet is improved, but the installation time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing the cooling and excitation training process at the manufacturing facility before transportation. The superconducting magnet is cooled to liquid helium temperature and excited to release distortion energy multiple times at the factory, so that when it is transported and installed at the medical facility, the training is already complete or nearly complete, significantly reducing the installation time at the destination.
2Reliability
If the superconducting magnet is transported in a cooled state, then the distortion release is minimized, but the helium consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements helium recovery by collecting and reusing the helium gas that evaporates from the superconducting magnet during the cooling and storage process. A recovery system is provided that captures the helium vapor and returns it to the liquid helium storage, minimizing helium loss and reducing overall helium consumption during transportation and installation.
3Strength
If the superconducting magnet is excited to high current, then the magnetic field strength is increased, but the distortion energy increases leading to quench
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by repeatedly cycling the superconducting magnet through cooling and excitation processes. The magnet is cooled to liquid helium temperature, excited to operating current to generate the magnetic field, then the current is reduced and the process is repeated multiple times. This periodic cycling allows distortion energy to be gradually released through controlled quenches, eventually stabilizing the magnet structure so it can sustain high currents without unexpected quenches.
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 shortens the installation period, minimizes helium consumption, and avoids unexpected helium vaporization, allowing for quicker deployment of high-field MRI systems while reducing costs and safety concerns.
Implementation Method 1
a superconducting coil which generates a magnetic field
Implementation Method 2
cooling a superconducting coil of the superconducting magnet with liquid helium
Implementation Method 3
supplying a current from an external power supply for excitation
Implementation Method 4
distortion by cooling occurs due to a difference between the thermal contraction rates of the superconducting wires and the resin
Implementation Method 5
reducing distortion energy generated in superconducting wires and resin by repeating the electromagnetic force generated at the time of excitation and demagnetization
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustment method of a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes: a cooling and excitation step in which work of transporting a superconducting magnet to a facility different from a facility where the superconducting magnet is to be installed, cooling a superconducting coil of the superconducting magnet with a refrigerant, and supplying a current from an external power supply for excitation is repeated until a predetermined rated current flows; a demagnetization and transportation step of demagnetizing the superconducting coil and transporting the superconducting magnet to the facility where the superconducting magnet is to be installed in a state where the superconducting coil is cooled by the refrigerant; and an installation step of installing the superconducting magnet in the facility where the superconducting magnet is to be installed and supplying a predetermined rated current from an external power supply to the superconducting coil in order to excite the superconducting coil.