Plate Heat Exchanger Cooling for MR Gradient Coils
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing gradient coil systems for magnetic resonance tomography apparatuses face challenges in efficient and cost-effective cooling, particularly due to labor-intensive construction and risk of damage during the sewing of serpentine cooling lines, which can lead to leaks and reduced heat transfer efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A gradient coil system utilizing a plate heat exchanger with flexible, porous plates that form a full-surface contact with gradient coil layers, featuring through-channels and material openings to enhance heat transfer and reduce manufacturing and operational costs, eliminating the need for complex cooling line placement and minimizing mechanical damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If serpentine cooling lines are used in the gradient coil system, then heat transfer is achieved, but the construction becomes labor-intensive and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cooling function from complex serpentine cooling lines and implements it through simple plate heat exchangers with integrated cooling channels. The cooling function is separated from the gradient coil layers, allowing independent optimization of each component and simplifying the overall construction process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical serpentine cooling line system with a plate heat exchanger system that uses fluid flow through channels. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical routing of cooling lines and reduces construction labor while maintaining effective heat transfer.
2Reliability
If cooling lines are sewn to the gradient coil layers, then the cooling lines are fixed in position, but there is a risk of needle penetration and leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cooling lines from the gradient coil layer structure and places them in separate plate heat exchangers. This separation eliminates the risk of needle penetration during sewing operations while maintaining reliable cooling function through the plate channel design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent anticipates the risk of cooling line damage by using a plate heat exchanger design that inherently protects the cooling function. The plate structure with integrated channels provides a robust cooling system that is resistant to the manufacturing defects that plague sewn cooling lines.
3Temperature
If plastic matrix with filling materials is used to connect gradient coil layers, then heat transfer and mechanical stability are improved, but manufacturing time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heat transfer function from the plastic matrix with filling materials and implements it through plate heat exchangers. This separation eliminates the need for time-consuming plastic matrix application and curing processes while maintaining effective heat transfer through the plate channel design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the plastic matrix system with a plate heat exchanger system that provides heat transfer without requiring additional binding materials. The plates are held in position by the magnetic forces generated during operation, eliminating the need for plastic matrix application and curing steps.
4Reliability
If additional gradient coil layers for shielding are added, then field shielding is improved, but the system size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cooling function with the shielding coil layers by placing plate heat exchangers between adjacent gradient coil layers including shielding layers. This integration allows the shielding layers to serve dual purposes while maintaining a compact overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the plate heat exchangers serve multiple functions: they provide cooling for adjacent gradient coil layers, act as structural spacers, and facilitate heat transfer from multiple sources simultaneously. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall system.
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 plate heat exchanger design achieves efficient heat transfer with reduced flow resistance, lower operational costs, and a more compact system, allowing for higher current strengths and improved cooling efficiency without increasing structural height, enabling better heat dissipation and reduced noise.
Implementation Method 1
The plates of the plate heat exchanger can be joined easily and economically... The plate heat exchanger design achieves efficient heat transfer with reduced flow resistance
Implementation Method 2
cooling layers are situated for conveying away the heat produced by the gradient coils of the gradient coil layers
Implementation Method 3
A gradient coil system utilizing a plate heat exchanger with flexible, porous plates that form a full-surface contact with gradient coil layers, featuring through-channels and material openings to enhance heat transfer
Data Source
AI summary
A gradient coil system for a magnetic resonance tomography apparatus has a layer structure including a gradient coil layer and a cooling layer. The cooling layer is fashioned as a plate heat exchanger, composed of plates, for cooling the gradient coil layer. In this way, a highly efficient cooling of the gradient coil layer is achieved with a lower structural height compared to conventional tubular configurations.