Heat Transfer Bolted Joint With Alignment Protrusion for PCCT Detectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing computed tomography (CT) systems face challenges in effectively managing heat generated by photon counting computed tomography (PCCT) detector units, leading to performance degradation due to inadequate heat transfer mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A heat transfer bolted joint is introduced, comprising a compressible metal washer and alignment protrusions to couple the beam assembly with rail assemblies, facilitating precise positioning and reducing thermal resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional bolted joints are used to couple beam assembly with rail assembly, then assembly is achieved, but thermal resistance is high and alignment precision is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
A compressible metal washer is introduced as an intermediary component between the beam assembly and rail assembly. This washer serves dual functions: it provides a thermally conductive path to reduce thermal resistance while its compressible nature allows for precise alignment and contact pressure optimization, thereby resolving the contradiction between heat dissipation and thermal resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the compressibility parameter of the metal washer to optimize contact pressure between mating surfaces. By controlling the compression of the washer, the system achieves both low thermal resistance (through improved contact) and precise alignment, transforming the physical state of the washer from uncompressed to compressed to resolve the thermal management contradiction
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional bolted joints are used, then assembly is achieved, but alignment precision and spatial tolerance are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The compressible metal washer acts as a mediator that absorbs misalignment and provides precise positioning. Its deformable nature allows it to compensate for manufacturing tolerances while maintaining accurate alignment, adding minimal complexity to the joint structure
Solution Approach 2:
By utilizing the compressibility parameter of the washer, the system achieves precise alignment through controlled deformation. This parameter-based approach simplifies the joint design compared to rigid precision-machined interfaces, reducing overall device complexity while improving alignment precision
3Power
If PCCT detector units operate at high power, then imaging performance is improved, but heat generation increases causing performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of heat generation into a beneficial thermal management system. The compressible metal washer creates optimal thermal contact to conduct heat away from the PCCT detector units, transforming the heat problem into an efficient heat transfer solution that enables sustained high-power operation
Solution Approach 2:
The washer serves as a thermal intermediary that facilitates heat transfer from the detector units to the heat sink. This intermediate component ensures efficient thermal coupling while accommodating thermal expansion and maintaining contact pressure, allowing the system to operate at high power without performance degradation
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 solution enhances heat dissipation from PCCT detector units, maintaining performance by minimizing thermal resistance and ensuring precise alignment, thus preventing degradation.
Implementation Method 1
a compressible metal washer circumferentially surrounding the alignment protrusion and in direct face-sharing contact with the first surface, wherein the compressible metal washer is compressible in a vertical direction and is positioned essentially within the heat transfer bolted joint, and a second surface including a second alignment datum mated to the first alignment datum, and a second bolt hole passing through the second surface, wherein the second surface is in direct face-sharing contact with the compressible metal washer and the alignment protrusion
Data Source
AI summary
Systems are provided a heat transfer bolted joint of an X-ray detector module. The heat transfer bolted joint includes a first surface comprising an alignment protrusion, a first alignment datum vertically extending from the alignment protrusion, a first bolt hole passing through the alignment protrusion, a compressible metal washer circumferentially surrounding the alignment protrusion and in direct face-sharing contact with the first surface, and a second surface including a second alignment datum adapted to mate to the first alignment datum, and a second bolt hole passing through the second surface. The second surface is in direct face-sharing contact with the compressible metal washer and with the alignment protrusion.