Removable X-ray Insert for CT Gantry Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing X-ray CT apparatus faces challenges in efficiently replacing only the broken insert, as it is often necessary to replace the entire housing and coolant system, leading to high costs and workload due to the large and heavy components involved.
Innovation Solution
The design allows for the insert to be easily removable and replaceable without the need to replace the entire housing, utilizing a blower to flow air for cooling instead of coolant, reducing the complexity and weight of replacement components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the insert is replaced together with the housing and coolant, then the reliability of the X-ray generation system is improved, but the weight of replaced components increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into a first housing and a second housing that can be detached from each other. The insert is retained in the first housing, while the second housing with coolant is replaced. This segmentation allows replacement of only the necessary components (insert and first housing) without replacing the entire system, reducing the weight of replaced components from several dozens of kilograms to a manageable level.
Solution Approach 2:
The insert is extracted from the housing as a separate replaceable component. The housing is further divided into two parts, with the second housing (containing coolant) remaining in place while only the first housing (containing the insert) is replaced. This extraction principle enables selective replacement of only the degraded insert rather than the entire housing assembly.
2Reliability
If the housing with lead plate and coolant is replaced, then the shielding performance is maintained, but the complexity of replacement work increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into a first housing (containing the insert) and a second housing (containing the coolant). The second housing remains in place while only the first housing is replaced. This segmentation simplifies replacement work by eliminating the need to handle heavy coolant and complex cooling systems, reducing replacement complexity from a multi-step heavy-lifting operation to a straightforward component swap.
Solution Approach 2:
The insert and first housing are extracted as a separate replaceable unit from the second housing. This extraction allows the shielding function to be maintained through the first housing's lead plate while simplifying replacement procedures, as workers only need to replace the lighter first housing rather than the entire housing assembly with coolant.
3Reliability
If the entire housing is replaced when the insert breaks down, then the reliability is improved, but the cost of replacement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into a first housing and a second housing. Only the first housing containing the degraded insert is replaced, while the second housing with the coolant system is retained. This segmentation reduces replacement costs by allowing reuse of the expensive coolant system and second housing, rather than replacing the entire housing assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The insert and first housing are extracted as a separate replaceable unit from the second housing. This extraction enables cost-effective replacement by isolating the degraded components (insert and first housing) from the reusable components (second housing and coolant system), thereby reducing the overall cost of replacement.
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 reduces component replacement costs and workload by enabling the insertion to be replaced independently, minimizing the need for heavy and costly components, and simplifies the replacement process, thereby reducing environmental burdens from lead usage.
Implementation Method 1
A blower is removably attached to a side of the opening to flow air into the housing
Data Source
AI summary
An X-ray CT apparatus according to an embodiment includes: a rotatable gantry base; a housing that is fixed to the gantry base and that has an opening; an insert that is removably located in the housing and that includes a cathode that generates a thermal electron and an anode that receives collision of the thermal electron to generate an X-ray; and a blower that is removably attached to the side of the opening to flow air into the housing.