Superconducting MRI Magnet Cooling With Heat-Path Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Magnetic resonance devices face overheating and helium vaporization issues due to failures in the second cooling loop, leading to increased helium loss and high replacement costs, especially in systems with reduced helium volumes.
Innovation Solution
A cooling system with a switching unit that couples the cooling loop with an additional unit for heat energy exchange, allowing continued cooling of superconducting coils even during disruptions, using existing units like gradient coil or electronic units with high heat capacity for heat absorption and storage, thereby reducing helium vaporization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a second cooling loop is added to transfer waste heat away from the first cooling loop, then the cooling performance of the superconducting basic magnetic coil is improved, but the system complexity increases and the reliability decreases because a failure in the second cooling loop causes the first cooling loop to overheat and deactivate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling the first cooling loop to serve dual purposes: its primary function of cooling the superconducting basic magnetic coil, and a secondary function of absorbing waste heat from the second cooling loop when it fails. This is achieved through a switching unit that can redirect the second cooling loop's heat discharge path to the first cooling loop, allowing the system to maintain cooling capability even when the second cooling loop malfunctions, thereby improving reliability without sacrificing cooling performance
2Reliability
If the heat absorption unit fails, then the cooling system cannot dissipate waste heat effectively, but the additional unit provides heat energy exchange capability to maintain cooling operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a switching unit as an intermediary component that mediates between the first cooling loop, the second cooling loop, and the additional unit. This switching unit enables flexible heat energy exchange paths, allowing the system to dynamically redirect heat flow based on operational conditions. When the heat absorption unit fails, the switching unit redirects waste heat to the additional unit, maintaining cooling operation continuity while managing system complexity through intelligent heat flow management
3Loss of substance
If the helium pressure exceeds the limit value due to vaporization, then the helium begins to escape from the helium vessel, but the cooling system can prevent vaporization by providing alternative heat dissipation paths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures continuous heat dissipation capability by establishing multiple heat discharge paths through the switching unit. The system can continuously divert waste heat from the second cooling loop to either the heat absorption unit or the additional unit based on operational status. This continuous heat management prevents helium vaporization and loss, maintaining substance integrity while managing system complexity through adaptive heat flow control
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 ensures the superconducting capability of the magnetic coil is maintained, reduces helium vaporization, and allows operation to continue despite heat absorption unit failures, with potential for extended operation during faults.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling loop (25) to cool the at least one superconducting basic magnetic coil (13), wherein the cooling loop (25) is thermally coupled with a cryostat unit (16)
Implementation Method 2
a cryostat unit (16) to cool a cooling fluid of the at least one superconducting basic magnetic coil (13)
Implementation Method 3
the cryostat unit (16) has a helium compressor (17)
Implementation Method 4
the cooling system (15) has a switching unit (28) with at least one first cooling mode, the switching unit (28) coupling the at least one cooling loop (25) of the cooling system (15) with the additional unit (29) for heat energy exchange in the first cooling mode
Data Source
AI summary
A magnetic resonance apparatus has a magnet unit that includes at least one superconducting basic magnetic field coil, a magnet housing unit surrounding the at least one superconducting basic magnetic field coil, a cooling system that has at least one cooling loop and a heat absorption unit to cool the at least one superconducting basic magnetic coil, and an additional unit. The cooling system has a switching unit with at least one first cooling mode, and the switching unit couples the at least one cooling loop of the cooling system with the additional unit for a heat exchange in the first cooling mode.