Superconducting Magnet Cooling via Self-Excitation Heat Pipe
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current superconducting magnet systems for head imaging face challenges in achieving high magnetic flux density and uniformity while minimizing liquid helium consumption and manufacturing costs, particularly for applications requiring higher resolution and SNR in neuroscience and cognitive science research.
Innovation Solution
A superconducting magnet system for head imaging that incorporates a cryocooler, high-pressure helium container, and self-excitation heat pipe to efficiently cool the magnet, utilizing a multi-coil configuration with NbTi and Nb3Sn wires, and a closed cooling loop to enhance heat transfer and reduce helium consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If superconducting magnet systems use traditional cooling methods with liquid helium, then magnetic flux density can be maintained, but liquid helium consumption is high and cooling efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical pumping system for liquid helium circulation with a thermosyphon-based passive cooling system. The thermosyphon utilizes natural convection and phase change of helium to achieve cooling without mechanical components, thereby reducing helium consumption and improving temperature uniformity across the magnet structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs phase transitions of helium (between liquid and gas phases) within the thermosyphon system to achieve efficient heat transfer. The phase change process absorbs and releases latent heat, enabling effective cooling of the superconducting magnet while maintaining temperature uniformity and reducing overall helium consumption.
2Measurement precision
If magnetic flux density is increased above 3 T for better imaging resolution, then imaging quality improves, but manufacturing cost and difficulty increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite coil structures combining different superconducting materials (such as NbTi and Nb3Sn) to achieve high magnetic flux density (>3 T) while managing manufacturing complexity. The composite material approach allows optimization of different coil regions for specific performance requirements, enabling high-field imaging with improved feasibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the magnet system into multiple independent coil assemblies or modules that can be manufactured and assembled separately. This segmentation reduces the complexity of manufacturing high-field magnets by breaking down the overall system into manageable components, each optimized for specific magnetic field requirements.
3Measurement precision
If asymmetric magnet coil configuration is used for head imaging, then imaging quality for head structures improves, but coil design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements asymmetric coil configurations specifically optimized for head imaging geometry. The coil windings, current densities, and spatial arrangements are deliberately made asymmetric to match the asymmetric geometry of the human head, thereby improving image quality for cranial structures while accepting increased design complexity as a necessary trade-off.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different coil parameters (current density, winding patterns, spatial positioning) to different local regions of the magnet system based on the specific imaging requirements of various head structures. This local optimization approach improves overall imaging quality by tailoring magnetic field characteristics to specific anatomical regions.
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 system achieves a higher magnetic flux density of up to 9.4 T with improved uniformity and reduced liquid helium consumption, enabling clearer imaging and more efficient heat dissipation while maintaining a compact structure.
Implementation Method 1
the second stage coldhead of the cryocooler is connected to the high-pressure helium container for cooling helium gas in the high-pressure helium container to liquid helium
Implementation Method 2
the cooling capacity is directly conducted to the superconducting magnet by the self-excitation heat pipe that wrapped around the outer surface of the superconducting magnet uniformly
Implementation Method 3
making the temperature of the magnet keep uniform
Data Source
AI summary
A superconducting magnet system for head imaging is disclosed which includes a cryocooler, a high-pressure helium container, a self-excitation heat pipe and a superconducting magnet. A second stage coldhead of the cryocooler is connected to the high-pressure helium container for converting the helium gas in the high-pressure helium container into liquid helium. The self-excitation heat pipe forms a closed cooling loop, and liquid helium in the high-pressure helium container flows circularly in the self-excitation heat pipe. The self-excitation heat pipe cools the superconducting magnet, wherein part of the liquid helium in the self-excitation heat pipe is converted into the helium gas due to the heat disturbance generated by the superconducting magnet, and the helium gas interacts with the liquid helium to generate liquid helium vibration.