Closed-Loop Cooling Medium Passage for PET Scanner Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Positron emission tomography (PET) scanners require an effective cooling system to maintain optimal temperature and functionality, particularly for temperature-sensitive components and precise coupling between optical and electrical components, which existing cooling systems fail to adequately address.
Innovation Solution
A cooling system for PET scanners is designed with a control module, imaging device, and cooling module that generates and circulates a cooling medium through a closed-loop passage, directly contacting critical components like detector units and electronics, utilizing a temperature control module, fan, and heat exchanger to maintain stable temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a cooling system is implemented for PET scanners, then temperature stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is nested within the gantry housing structure, with cooling channels integrated into the detector unit housing and electronics compartments. The cooling medium passages are embedded within existing structural components, allowing the cooling function to be incorporated without adding external complexity to the PET scanner system.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it cools the detector units, cools the electronics components, and maintains thermal coupling between optical and electrical components. The same cooling medium circulation system handles all these thermal management tasks, reducing the need for separate cooling systems for each component.
2Reliability
If cooling medium passages are integrated within the imaging device, then cooling efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is divided into separate modular sections: a cooling module with heat exchanger, a circulation system with pump and reservoir, and distributed cooling passages in different compartments. Each module can be manufactured and tested independently, then assembled into the complete cooling system, reducing overall manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling passages are merged with the structural housing components of the detector units and electronics compartments. The housing structures serve dual purposes as both mechanical support and thermal conduction pathways, eliminating the need for separate cooling brackets or mounting structures.
3Measurement precision
If direct contact cooling is applied to detector units and electronics, then temperature control precision is improved, but risk of thermal damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
A thermal interface material or heat transfer fluid serves as an intermediary between the cooling channels and the detector units/electronics components. This intermediary enables efficient heat transfer while providing a protective barrier that prevents direct thermal shock or condensation damage to the sensitive components.
Solution Approach 2:
Temperature sensors are integrated into the detector units and electronics compartments, providing real-time feedback to the cooling control system. The control system adjusts the cooling medium flow rate and temperature based on sensor readings, maintaining optimal temperature ranges and preventing overheating or thermal shock conditions.
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 proposed cooling system effectively maintains suitable working temperatures for PET scanners, ensuring optimal functionality and longevity of components by efficiently absorbing and dissipating heat, thereby improving diagnostic accuracy and device reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling module configured to generate a cooling medium, and/or a cooling medium passage configured to spread the cooling medium
Implementation Method 2
cooling medium passage configured to spread the cooling medium
Implementation Method 3
utilizing a temperature control module, fan, and heat exchanger to maintain stable temperatures
Implementation Method 4
utilizing a temperature control module, fan, and heat exchanger to maintain stable temperatures
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging system based on an imaging device and/or a cooling system is provided. The imaging system may include a control module, an imaging device, and/or a cooling system. The imaging device may include a first portion and a second portion. The cooling system may include a cooling module configured to generate a cooling medium, and/or a cooling medium passage configured to spread the cooling medium. The cooling medium passage may belong to a closed loop. At least part of the cooling system may be located within the imaging device such that the cooling medium may be in direct contact with the at least part of the imaging device.