Segmented High-Voltage Transformer for Medical Imaging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
High-voltage transformers in medical imaging devices, particularly X-ray tube power supplies, face challenges in being compact, reliable, and cost-effective due to complex high-voltage isolation requirements and the need for rapid voltage switching under mechanical stress.
Innovation Solution
A high-voltage transformer design utilizing multiple elementary transformers with balanced secondary voltages and rectifier circuits, featuring capacitors for voltage balancing and nanocrystalline iron magnetic circuits, which reduces size, weight, and production costs while enhancing performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional high-voltage transformer designs are used to ensure high-voltage isolation, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The transformer is divided into multiple elementary transformers, each handling a portion of the voltage transformation. This segmentation allows each unit to have simpler isolation requirements while collectively achieving the needed high-voltage isolation, reducing overall complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple elementary transformers are combined with their primary circuits connected in series and secondary circuits connected in parallel. This merging achieves high-voltage isolation through the series connection of primaries while the parallel secondaries provide current sharing, simplifying the overall design
2Reliability
If traditional transformer designs are used to ensure voltage stability, then reliability is improved, but mass and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The transformer mass is divided into several smaller elementary transformers. Each elementary transformer handles a portion of the total power, allowing the use of lighter magnetic circuits while collectively providing the required voltage stability through their coordinated operation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operating parameters by using multiple transformers in a specific configuration (series primaries, parallel secondaries) with balancing capacitors. This allows achieving voltage stability with smaller individual transformer units, reducing total mass
3Productivity
If rapid voltage switching is implemented to modify X-ray nature quickly, then productivity is improved, but reliability under mechanical stress worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage switching operation is distributed across multiple elementary transformers. Each unit switches a portion of the voltage, reducing the mechanical stress on any single component during rapid switching cycles, thereby maintaining reliability under G-forces while achieving fast overall voltage transition
Solution Approach 2:
The transformer design enables dynamic voltage switching by configuring the elementary transformers to rapidly transition between different output voltage states. The series-parallel configuration allows quick reconfiguration of voltage distribution across the secondary circuits, achieving fast switching response
4Reliability
If complex high-voltage isolation is implemented, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The high-voltage isolation requirement is segmented across multiple elementary transformers. Each unit requires isolation only for its own voltage level, which is simpler and less expensive than implementing full isolation in a single transformer. The modular structure also simplifies manufacturing and assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The elementary transformers use standard components and configurations that can be manufactured using common processes. The series-parallel configuration provides both voltage transformation and isolation functions simultaneously, reducing the need for specialized expensive components
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 enables a lightweight, compact, and high-performance transformer capable of rapid voltage switching, improving reliability and reducing production costs while maintaining high voltage isolation and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an elementary magnetic circuit (10) intended to couple the elementary primary circuit (11) and the elementary secondary circuit (20)
Implementation Method 2
at least one capacitor, each connected to the terminals of a secondary winding so as to balance the secondary voltages with one another
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a high-voltage transformer including: a plurality of elementary transformers (Ti). Each elementary transformer (Ti) includes: an elementary primary circuit (11) intended to be powered by an elementary primary voltage (V1i); an elementary secondary circuit (20) including: at least one secondary winding (221, 222); at least one capacitor (C'), each connected to the terminals of a secondary winding (221, 222) so as to balance the secondary voltages (V21i, V22i) with one another; in which the elementary secondary circuit (20) is intended to generate an elementary balanced secondary voltage (V20i); an elementary magnetic circuit (10) intended to couple the elementary primary circuit (11) and the elementary secondary circuit (20); in which the output voltage (V) of the transformer is equal to the sum of the elementary balanced secondary voltages (V20i), and the elementary primary circuits (11) are connected to one another so as to form a common circuit (100) with the elementary transformers (Ti), in which said common circuit (100) is intended to be supplied by a primary voltage (V1), which primary voltage (V1) is equal to the sum of the elementary primary voltages (V1i).