Segmented Magnet Assembly with Gaps for Uniform Field
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing magnetic resonance technologies face challenges in achieving high field uniformity, which affects chemical shift resolution, relaxation time accuracy, and motion artifacts, often requiring large quantities of high-grade magnetic material and resulting in expensive, difficult-to-manufacture magnets that are larger than the uniform field region they generate.
Innovation Solution
The use of magnet assemblies with uniformly sized and shaped magnets spaced apart by strategically sized gaps to enhance magnetic field uniformity, including U-shaped and toroidal configurations with ferromagnetic shields and carefully designed gap placements, optimized using simulation software to achieve improved field profiles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If large quantities of high-grade magnetic material are used to achieve high field uniformity, then field uniformity is improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The magnet assembly is divided into multiple discrete magnet components separated by gaps. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently with standard tolerances, avoiding the need for a single large precision-machined magnet. The gaps between segments are strategically designed to cancel out field non-uniformities that would otherwise require extremely precise manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the spatial distribution parameters of the magnetic field by introducing gaps between magnet segments. By carefully selecting gap sizes and positions, the magnetic field parameters (uniformity, gradient) are optimized without requiring higher-grade magnetic material or tighter manufacturing tolerances.
2Length of stationary object
If traditional continuous magnet designs are used, then magnetic field strength is maintained, but the magnet size becomes significantly larger than the uniform field region
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the magnet into multiple components with gaps, the overall magnet length is reduced while maintaining or improving field uniformity. The gaps eliminate the need for continuous high-grade magnetic material throughout the entire length, allowing the magnet assembly to be more compact than traditional designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts or removes the gaps between magnet segments, which are non-magnetic spaces that reduce the overall magnetic material volume. These gaps are strategically placed to improve field uniformity without requiring the full length of continuous magnetic material, thus reducing the effective magnet size relative to the uniform field region.
3Manufacturing precision
If high-grade magnetic material is carefully screened for conformity with modeling, then field uniformity is improved, but manufacturing cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
Segmenting the magnet into multiple standard components eliminates the need for careful screening of large quantities of high-grade magnetic material. Each segment can be manufactured to standard specifications and assembled without extensive quality control, dramatically improving manufacturing throughput while maintaining field uniformity through the gap design.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses multiple lower-grade, easily manufactured magnet segments instead of a small quantity of expensive, carefully screened high-grade material. The segments can be produced quickly through standard manufacturing processes, improving productivity while the gap configuration ensures the required field uniformity is achieved.
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 results in a more uniform magnetic field over a longer distance, reducing manufacturing costs and complexity while maintaining high field uniformity, effectively addressing the limitations of traditional magnet designs.
Implementation Method 1
gap sizes are selected to increase the uniformity of the magnetic field of the assembly along an axis
Implementation Method 2
U-shaped shield located in the channel is provided
Data Source
AI summary
Magnet design is provided. A method customizes a magnetic field uniformity of a magnet by introducing one or more gaps between pieces of the magnet assembly.