Resin-Impregnated Superconducting Coil Self-Support Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional superconducting coil support structures in MRI systems are costly and prone to undesirable interactions with the coils, leading to quenching events due to high material and labor requirements, as well as mechanical disturbances.
Innovation Solution
The use of resin-impregnated superconducting coils with integrated non-coil regions acting as a mechanically self-supporting structure, eliminating the need for expensive stainless steel or aluminum formers and allowing for adjustable coil configurations to achieve magnetic field uniformity, while minimizing material usage and reducing quench risks through mechanically fastened joints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional stainless steel or aluminum formers are used to support superconducting coils, then mechanical strength and structural stability are improved, but material costs and labor requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the coil structure with the support structure by integrating non-coil regions directly into the coil body. These non-coil regions are formed from the same resin-impregnated composite material as the coil windings, eliminating the need for separate stainless steel or aluminum former components. This integration reduces material costs and labor requirements while maintaining the necessary mechanical strength and structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials consisting of resin-impregnated non-conductive material (such as glassfibre-reinforced plastic) to create both the coil windings and the support structures. This composite material provides sufficient mechanical strength to replace traditional metal formers while reducing overall manufacturing costs and simplifying the construction process.
2Stability of the object's composition
If conventional coil support structures are used, then structural stability is improved, but undesirable interactions between coils and support structure increase leading to quenching events
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces non-coil regions as intermediary elements between the coil windings and the external environment. These non-coil regions, made from resin-impregnated non-conductive material, act as a buffer that minimizes direct mechanical interactions and thermal contacts that could trigger quenching events, while still providing the necessary structural stability through integration with the coil body.
3Ease of manufacture
If resin-impregnated coils with integrated non-coil regions are used, then material costs are reduced, but mechanical support capability must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the coil structure into coil regions and non-coil regions, where the non-coil regions provide mechanical support functions. This segmentation allows the coil to be self-supporting, eliminating the need for separate metal formers. The non-coil regions are distributed throughout the coil structure, providing adequate mechanical support capability while reducing overall material costs.
4Ease of repair
If demountable coil support structures are implemented, then ease of maintenance and adjustment is improved, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a demountable support structure that allows coils to be removed and replaced during the service life of the magnet. This dynamic design enables easy maintenance and adjustment of coil configurations to achieve required magnetic field uniformity, while the modular nature of the demountable connections actually simplifies the overall structural complexity compared to permanently bonded structures.
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 material and labor costs, minimizes quench occurrences by distributing stress evenly, and allows for efficient current density distribution and magnetic field homogeneity adjustments, enhancing the consistency and repeatability of magnet performance.
Implementation Method 1
end coils 28, inner coils 30 and shield coils 24 are provided with electrical current to generate a strong, homogeneous field in imaging region 21
Implementation Method 2
the superconducting coils have a large proportion of their surfaces free and exposed to wetting by liquid, superfluid and/or gaseous cryogenic fluid
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A resin-impregnated superconducting coil (28; 30; 128) comprising axially-extending coil mounting arrangements which include features embedded within the structure of the resin- impregnated superconducting coil, between layers of turns of the coil.