Multi-Chamber Superconducting Magnet Cooling for Stable MRI Fields
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current MRI systems face challenges in maintaining superconducting magnet coils at a superconducting state due to inefficient cooling methods, leading to issues with image quality and increased costs associated with large cooling medium consumption.
Innovation Solution
A superconducting magnet design featuring multiple chambers filled with a cooling medium, where the chambers are in fluid communication and thermally coupled with a refrigeration device, allowing for efficient cooling of magnet coils to a superconducting state while reducing the overall consumption of cooling medium.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional cooling methods are used for superconducting magnet coils, then the coils can be maintained in a superconducting state, but the consumption of cooling medium is large and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is divided into multiple independent chambers (first chamber, second chamber, third chamber) that are in fluid communication. Each chamber can be separately filled with cooling medium and cooled by independent refrigeration devices, allowing segmented cooling control that reduces overall cooling medium consumption while maintaining superconducting state reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the magnet system are provided with localized cooling chambers positioned at specific locations where heat generation occurs. The cooling medium is delivered precisely to these localized areas through fluid communication channels, rather than requiring uniform cooling throughout the entire system, thereby reducing total cooling medium consumption.
2Productivity
If multiple chambers are introduced for cooling, then cooling efficiency improves and cooling medium consumption reduces, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple chambers (first chamber, second chamber, third chamber) are merged into a unified cooling system where they are in fluid communication with each other. This allows the chambers to work together as an integrated system, improving cooling efficiency while managing complexity through coordinated design rather than completely independent systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling chambers serve multiple functions: they provide thermal management for superconducting coils, act as structural support elements, and enable controlled fluid communication for efficient cooling medium distribution. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, balancing complexity reduction with improved cooling productivity.
3Loss of substance
If cooling medium consumption is reduced, then costs decrease, but the ability to maintain stable superconducting state may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The chambers are designed to be in continuous fluid communication, ensuring uninterrupted flow and distribution of cooling medium throughout the system. This continuous cooling action maintains stable temperatures for the superconducting coils, preserving magnetic field stability while using less cooling medium overall through the efficient multi-chamber architecture.
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 design enhances the stability of the magnetic field, improves image quality in MRI systems, and reduces costs by minimizing the use of cooling medium, thereby simplifying the manufacturing, transportation, and maintenance of MRI systems.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one first chamber and the at least one second chamber may be configured to be filled with a cooling medium and are in fluid communication with each other. The cooling medium may be configured to cool the magnet coils to a superconducting state.
Implementation Method 2
The refrigeration device may be thermally coupled with at least one of the at least one first chamber, the at least one second chamber, or the third chamber.
Data Source
AI summary
A superconducting magnet may include magnet coils including at least one group of outer coils and at least one group of inner coils, a container including an accommodating space, at least one first chamber that is disposed within the accommodating space and houses the at least one group of the inner coils, and at least one second chamber that is disposed within the accommodating space and houses the at least one group of the outer coils. The at least one first chamber and the at least one second chamber may be configured to be filled with a cooling medium and are in fluid communication with each other. The cooling medium may be configured to cool the magnet coils to a superconducting state.