JP2006296944A - Multi-channel noncontact power transmission system for computerized tomography - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a multi-channel noncontact power transmission system, advantageous in reducing the volume and weight of rotating parts. <P>SOLUTION: This multi-channel noncontact power transmission system 200 includes a primary power inverter 108 disposed on the immobile side 13 of the system 200, and an auxiliary power inverter 204 disposed on the immobile side 13 of the system 200. A rotary transformer 202 comprises the primary side 302 disposed on the immobile side 13 of the system 200 and the secondary side disposed on the rotating side of the system 200. The rotary transformer 202 is composed to connect the primary power from the output of the primary power inverter 108 to the primary power voltage output on the rotating side 12 of the system 200. In addition, auxiliary power from the output of the auxiliary power inverter 204 is connected to at least one auxiliary power output of the rotating side 12 of the system 200. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates generally to power transmission mechanisms, and more specifically to multi-channel contactless power transmission systems for computed tomography (CT) systems.

  Computed tomography (CT) systems have been used to obtain non-invasive cross-sectional images of test objects, particularly internal images of human tissue for medical analysis and treatment. Current CT systems position a test object, such as a patient on a table, in a rotating frame or gantry central opening supported by a stationary frame. The gantry includes an X-ray source and a detector array located on opposite sides of the opening in an xy plane (commonly referred to as an “imaging plane”) of a Cartesian coordinate system, Rotates with the gantry around the object being imaged. At each of several angular positions (also called “projections”) along the gantry rotation path, the x-ray source emits a fan-shaped collimated beam that passes through the imaging slice of the test object. Attenuated by the test object and received by the detector array.

Each detector element of the detector array generates a separate electrical signal that represents the intensity of the attenuated x-ray beam, that is, the intensity of the beam projected from the x-ray source onto a particular detector element and incident on its sensing surface. To do. The electrical signals from all detector elements are collated by circuitry in the rotating frame to produce a projection data set for each gantry angle or projection. Each projection data set is referred to as a “view” and a collection of such views is referred to as a “scan” from different gantry angles during one revolution of the x-ray source and detector array. ing. The scan is then processed by a computer in a stationary frame and the projection data set is reconstructed into a CT image of a slice or cross section of the test object.
US Pat. No. 6,301,324

  In a conventional CT system, power is transferred to the inverter via a brush-slip ring mechanism, which is with the gantry along with the CT system's high voltage tank circuitry (eg, including transformer, rectifier and filter capacitance components). Rotate physically. Unfortunately, installing an inverter on a rotating gantry increases the weight, volume and complexity of the system. In addition, brush-slip ring mechanisms (typically used to carry significant currents) can reduce the reliability, maintenance issues, and modern sensitive medical diagnostic procedures, especially in harsh environments. It is easy for electrical noise to occur.

  Therefore, when developing a CT system with a higher rotational speed, it is advantageous to reduce the volume and weight of the rotating parts.

  A multi-channel contactless power transfer system is provided to overcome or mitigate these and other shortcomings and deficiencies of the prior art. In an exemplary embodiment, the power transfer system includes a primary power inverter disposed on the stationary side of the system and an auxiliary power inverter disposed on the stationary side of the system. The rotary transformer has a primary side disposed on the stationary side of the system and a secondary side disposed on the rotational side of the system. The rotary transformer is configured to couple the primary power from the output of the primary power inverter to the primary power voltage output of the rotating side of the system, and further to supply auxiliary power from the output of the auxiliary power inverter to the rotating side of the system. It is configured to couple to at least one auxiliary voltage output.

  In another embodiment, a multi-channel contactless power transfer system for a computed tomography (CT) system is provided, the system comprising an X-ray power inverter disposed on the stationary side of the CT system and the stationary side of the CT system. And an auxiliary power inverter disposed in the. The rotary transformer has a primary side disposed on the non-moving side of the CT system and a secondary side disposed on the rotating side of the CT system. The rotary transformer is configured to couple the X-ray generated power from the output of the X-ray power inverter to the high voltage tank circuit on the rotating side of the CT system, and the high voltage tank circuit is further coupled to the X-ray generator tube. Is done. The rotary transformer is further configured to couple auxiliary power from the output of the auxiliary power inverter to at least one auxiliary voltage output on the rotating side of the CT system.

  In yet another embodiment, a multi-channel rotary transformer is provided that includes a stationary side and a rotating side, each having a pair of concentric E-shaped cores. One of the pair of concentric E-shaped cores is configured to couple primary power from the stationary side to the rotating side, and the other of the pair of concentric E-shaped cores couples auxiliary power from the stationary side to the rotating side. It is configured as follows.

  In the following detailed description, reference is made to the exemplary drawings, in which like elements in the several views have the same reference numerals.

  This document discloses a multi-channel contactless power transmission system for a CT system that uses a multi-channel rotary transformer to supply both X-ray generator power and auxiliary power to the rotating portion of the CT system. Thus, transmitting power in a contactless manner (ie, by electromagnetic induction) is used for all CT system power transmission requirements. Thus, the CT system has the feature of reducing complexity because more parts are removed from the rotating side of the gantry. Moreover, embodiments of the present invention further take measures against radiated EM noise and other details of the rotating transformer windings to adapt the multi-channel contactless power transfer system to the CT system.

  Referring initially to FIG. 1, an exemplary computed tomography (CT) system 10 is shown that is suitable for use in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The system 10 includes a generally annular rotating frame 12 or gantry and a stationary frame 13 that supports the rotating frame 12. The rotating frame 12 includes an x-ray source 14 for emitting a highly collimated x-ray beam 16 toward a detector array 18 disposed opposite the opening 19. The opening 19 allows a test object 20 (such as a patient) to be placed on the gantry 21. The gantry 21 can be moved along the rotation axis 22 of the rotary frame 12 by, for example, parallel movement. The movement of the gantry 21 makes it possible to position different sections of interest of the test object 20 in the imaging plane of the rotating frame 12.

  After positioning the test object 20 in the opening 19 by moving the test object 20 and / or the gantry 21 or the like, the rotating frame 12 is then rotated around the rotation axis 22 so that a plurality of the objects along the rotation path are arranged. Placed at each of the angular positions. At the same time, the X-ray source 14 emits an X-ray beam 16 that passes through the test object 20 and receives a plurality of detector elements (not individually shown) of the detector array 18. Incident on the surface. In response, each of the plurality of detector elements of detector array 18 is sized to be proportional to the intensity of the received x-rays, and thus proportional to the attenuation of the x-ray beam after passing through test object 20. The electrical signal is generated.

  A signal from each detector element of the detector array 18 representing the projection data is sent to the control and array processor 24 via line 23, which processes the received projection data. Generate a radial image of the test object 20 at a selected radial or angular position (this is referred to as a “view”). A set of views taken over a complete rotation of the rotating frame 12 (this is commonly referred to as a “scan”) is then further processed using known image processing algorithms to test that was in the imaging plane. A cross-sectional image of the portion of interest of the object 20 is generated.

  Although not shown in detail in FIG. 1, in a conventional power transmission device, several power transmission electronics assemblies (eg, inverters, high voltage tank circuits) are also included in the x-ray source 14 and detector array 18. In addition to this, it is physically attached to the rotating frame 12. Unfortunately, the desired ability to rotate the rotating frame 12 at high speeds is impeded (among other factors) by the mass of the electronic component. As the speed of the gantry increases, the power requirements of the generator also increase in order to keep the signal to noise ratio (SNR) constant. As a result, the mass of the generator components is increased. This results in the need to project such parts from the rotating frame 12 in a cantilevered manner, which creates extra torque on the mounting bracket and increases the force applied to it, which further limits the rotational speed. become.

  FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of an existing power transfer system 100 for CT applications that includes a primary power channel 102 for transmitting X-ray generator power and an electronic device disposed on the rotating frame 12. At least one secondary power channel for transmitting auxiliary power used in many of the above. As shown, the power of the primary and secondary power channels is transmitted from the stationary frame 13 to the rotating frame 12 in a “contact” manner represented by the slip ring 106. Specifically, the X-ray generator power transmitted by the primary power channel 102 is controlled by an X-ray power inverter 108 attached to the gantry, and a DC voltage is applied to the X-ray power inverter 108 via a slip ring 106. Supplied. Inverter 108 includes four insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) switches (shown generally at 110), which are used to generate high frequency currents and voltages. One branch on the AC output side of the inverter 108 includes inductive and capacitive components for resonance, which are series resonant circuits for generating a sinusoidal waveform that reduces IGBT switching losses and electromagnetic radiation. 112 is formed.

  The AC output voltage from the inverter 108 is supplied to a high voltage (HV) tank circuit 114, which generates a high voltage DC potential by a step-up transformer 116 and a rectifier circuit 118. An HV DC potential (eg, 140 kV) is then applied to the X-ray tube 120 for X-ray generation.

  As shown in the secondary power channel 104, the input AC power from the stationary frame 13 is also in contact mode (ie, via a slip ring) for rotation of the rotating frame 12 for conversion to an auxiliary power voltage. Is transmitted to. In the illustrated example, the first auxiliary voltage is generated by the series configuration of the first AC / DC converter 124 and the first DC / DC converter 126, and the second auxiliary voltage on the rotating frame 12 is the second. The AC / DC converter 128 and the second DC / DC converter 130 are generated in series. It should be appreciated that the parameters of the AC / DC and DC / DC converters can be selected to produce any desired DC auxiliary voltage value depending on the type of load to be fed from them. it can. Finally, FIG. 2 also shows a rotor drive 132 that is used to drive the rotor of the X-ray tube 120, and the power of the rotor drive 132 is transmitted through the slip ring 106. Directly taken from DC power.

  Nonetheless, as previously mentioned, installing power conversion electronics on a rotating gantry increases the weight, volume and complexity of the CT system. FIG. 3 shows a multi-channel contactless power transmission system 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Instead of a slip ring configuration, power is transmitted from the stationary frame 13 to the rotating frame 12 by a multi-channel rotary transformer 202 (described in detail below). The rotary transformer 202 not only transmits primary X-ray generated power, but also transmits auxiliary power via one or more channels. In this aspect, certain power converters (such as inverters) can be placed on the stationary frame 13. For example, in addition to the primary X-ray power inverter 108, the system 200 further includes a separate auxiliary power inverter 204 mounted on the stationary frame 13.

  Since the power generated by the X-ray power inverter 108 is pulsed, the power is not suitable for feeding various electronic devices present on the rotating frame 12 of the CT system 200. Thus, although auxiliary power inverter 204 is similar to an X-ray power inverter, auxiliary power inverter 204 has a reduced power capability (eg, about 5 kW versus about 250 kW) relative to X-ray power inverter 108. Another difference between the contactless system 200 and the conventional system 100 is the use of inductive and capacitive resonant elements that are equally divided into two branches of x-ray / auxiliary inverter output. Such a configuration helps to reduce common mode voltage noise (generated by the IGBT switch) in rotary transformer 202.

  Instead of generating multiple fixed voltage levels on the rotating frame, rotating transformer 202, along with x-ray power primary winding 206 and secondary winding 208, includes auxiliary power primary winding 210 and one or more auxiliary power. The secondary windings 212 and 214 are configured to be included. Of course, a plurality of secondary windings can be incorporated into the rotary transformer 202 to provide various desired DC voltages (eg, 600V DC, 48V DC, 24V DC, etc.). In the particular embodiment illustrated, the voltage of each of the auxiliary power secondary windings 212, 214 is then rectified and filtered on the rotating frame 12 to provide a plurality of DC voltages (ie, 600 volt for the rotor drive). HV DC output and 48 volt low voltage DC output for various system electronics).

  As further shown in FIG. 3, the output voltages for the x-ray source, the high voltage auxiliary power supply, and the low voltage auxiliary power supply are all detected and digitized to provide non-moving side power from the feedback collector / digitizer / transmitter 216. It can be sent to the controller 218 via, for example, a capacitive or optical communication link. One suitable contactless communication link is described in US Pat. No. 6,301,324 (inventor Pearson, Jr. et al.), The contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety. With such a feedback control loop, the power control device 218 controls the IGBT in the auxiliary power inverter 204 based on the specific output voltage detected on the rotating side that experiences the largest percentage of voltage drop, and 1 A plurality of output voltages can be controlled by one power inverter. Additional information related to this is described in US Pat. No. 5,646,835 (inventor Katcher), the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety.

  Referring now to FIG. 4, a cross-sectional view of the multi-channel rotary transformer 202 schematically shown in FIG. 3 is shown. As shown in the figure, the rotary transformer 202 has a pair of opposing disk-shaped members, and the pair of disk-shaped members includes a stationary (primary) disk-shaped member 302 and a rotating (secondary) member. A disk-shaped member 304 is included, and a gap 306 exists between them. Each of the disk-shaped members 302 and 304 includes a pair of concentric cores (inner core 308 for primary / secondary x-ray power windings and primary / secondary auxiliary power made from a high permeability material (eg, ferrite). Outer cores 310) for windings are included, and these cores guide the magnetic flux across the gap from one disc-like member to the other disc-like member. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the cores 308 and 310 are “E-shaped” to better contain any stray fields near the core.

  As further shown in FIG. 4, both the primary / secondary windings for the inner and outer E-shaped cores start from one opening in the E-shaped core and are within the two grooves of the E-shaped core. Wrap in one of the grooves in the first direction (clockwise direction) along the circumference of the disk-like member to near the starting point and then traverse to another opening in the core, where the inside of the two grooves It is possible to wind by winding it to the start point in the second direction (counterclockwise direction) along the circumference of the disk-shaped member in the other groove of the disk and completing one turn. However, depending on the desired number of outputs and voltage levels, multiple turns can be wound on the same E-shaped core for both the primary and secondary windings (or multiple secondary windings). Of course it is good.

  In the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the leakage inductance L of the rotary transformer acts as a resonant inductor for the power inverter 108, thereby omitting the provision of a separate inductor component in the inverter housing. In yet another embodiment shown in FIG. 6, resonant capacitors 321 and 322 are incorporated directly into the primary winding 206 of the rotary transformer 202, thereby reducing the magnitude of the voltage across them. For example, in the one-turn primary winding shown in FIG. 7, capacitors 321 and 322 are arranged at 180 degrees from the winding input, thereby minimizing the voltage applied to the winding in the case of two resonant capacitor configurations. can do. This capacitor arrangement limits the resonant voltage generated by the leakage inductance L. This configuration is only an example, and it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that this particular configuration can be varied for different numbers of capacitors and turns of the primary winding in order to reduce the winding voltage.

  The use of the multi-channel contactless power transmission system described above eliminates all contact-type slip ring-brushes, associated dust, wear and required preventive maintenance, resulting in advantageous cost savings. Further, the removal of the X-ray power inverter assembly and bracket results in a direct mass loss of about 40 kg from the system rotating frame. Correspondingly, an equal mass of counterweight can also be removed from the rotating frame. Excluding both the inverter and the counterweight, there is room to eliminate cantilevered parts so that a more evenly balanced gantry is obtained, achieving a gantry speed of 0.2 seconds per revolution. Easy to do. Further, the cost can be further reduced by installing the inverter (s) and the auxiliary DC-DC converter on the stationary side of the frame.

  In addition, the complexity, number of parts, and system volume can be further reduced by providing multiple secondary windings in the rotary transformer. In addition, the system reduces electromagnetic radiation as a result of the split impedance in the inverter output branch and the configuration of the E-shaped rotary transformer core.

  While the invention has been described in terms of a preferred embodiment, those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications can be made and that the elements can be replaced with equivalents without departing from the spirit of the invention. Like. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or member to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential spirit thereof. Accordingly, the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed as the best mode for carrying out the invention, but includes all embodiments that fall within the scope of the claims. Reference numerals corresponding to those in the drawings have been inserted in the description of the claims, but this is only for the purpose of facilitating the understanding of the claimed invention, and in the claims. It is not intended to narrow the described invention. What is stated in the claims of this application is incorporated into the specification and is intended to be part of the description.

1 is an exemplary computed tomography (CT) system 10 suitable for use in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of an existing power transmission system for CT applications. 1 is a circuit diagram of a multi-channel contactless power transmission system for a CT system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the multi-channel rotary transformer schematically illustrated in FIG. 3. It is a circuit diagram of the rotary transformer of alternative embodiment which made the leakage inductance act as a resonant inductor of a power inverter. FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram of a rotary transformer of still another embodiment in which a resonance capacitor is also incorporated in the primary winding. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the multi-channel rotary transformer schematically illustrated in FIG. 6.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Computer tomography (CT) system 12 Rotating frame 13 Immovable frame 14 X-ray source 16 X-ray beam 18 Detector array 19 Aperture 20 Test object 21 Base 22 Rotating axis 23 Line 100 Power transmission system 102 Primary power channel 104 Secondary power channel 106 Slip ring 108 X-ray power inverter 110 Insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) switch 112 Series resonant circuit 116 Step-up transformer 118 Rectifier circuit 120 X-ray tube 200 Multi-channel contactless power transmission system 202 Multi-channel rotation Transformer 206 X-ray power primary winding 208 X-ray power secondary winding 210 Auxiliary power primary winding 212, 214 Auxiliary power secondary winding 302 Immovable (primary) disk-shaped member 304 Rotating (secondary) disk-shaped member 3 06 Air gap 308 Inner core 310 Outer core 321, 322 Resonant capacitor

Claims (10)

A multi-channel contactless power transmission system (200),
A primary power inverter (108) disposed on the stationary side (13) of the system (200);
An auxiliary power inverter (204) disposed on the stationary side (13) of the system (200);
A rotary transformer (202) having a primary side (302) arranged on the stationary side (13) of the system (200) and a secondary side (304) arranged on the rotating side (12) of the system (200). ) And
The rotary transformer (202) is configured to couple the primary power from the output of the primary power inverter (108) to the primary power voltage output of the rotating side (12) of the system (200) and the rotation The transformer (202) is further configured to couple auxiliary power from the output of the auxiliary power inverter (204) to at least one auxiliary voltage output on the rotating side (12) of the system (200). A multi-channel contactless power transmission system (200) characterized by the above. The power transfer system (200) of any preceding claim, wherein the primary and secondary sides (302, 304) of the rotary transformer (202) further include concentric E-shaped cores (308, 310). A first core of the concentric E-shaped cores (308, 310) on the primary side (302) of the rotary transformer (202) has a winding coupled to the output of the primary power inverter (108). The wire (206) is wound,
A second core of the concentric E-shaped cores (308, 310) on the primary side (302) of the rotary transformer (202) has a winding coupled to the output of the auxiliary power inverter (204). The wire (218) is wound,
The power transmission system (200) of claim 2. A first of the concentric E-shaped cores (308, 310) on the secondary side (304) of the rotary transformer (202) is used to generate the primary power voltage output. A winding (208) coupled to the tank circuit (114) is wound,
A second core of the concentric E-shaped cores (308, 310) on the secondary side (304) of the rotary transformer (202) is used to generate the at least one auxiliary voltage output. At least one winding (212, 214) is wound,
The power transmission system (200) of claim 3. Each winding on the primary and secondary sides (302, 304) of the rotary transformer (202) begins with a first opening in the corresponding E-shaped core (308, 310) into the first groove. Extending circumferentially along, then through a second opening in the corresponding E-shaped core (308, 310) and then substantially circumferentially in the opposite direction along the second groove. The power transmission system of claim 4, wherein the power transmission system is configured by placing the wires in the first and second grooves of the corresponding E-shaped cores (308, 310) so as to extend to one opening. (200). A multi-channel contactless power transmission system (200) for a computed tomography (CT) system (10) comprising:
An X-ray power inverter (108) disposed on the stationary side (13) of the CT system (10);
An auxiliary power inverter (204) disposed on the stationary side (13) of the CT system (10);
A rotary transformer having a primary side (302) disposed on the stationary side (13) of the CT system (10) and a secondary side (304) disposed on the rotating side (12) of the CT system (10). A vessel (202),
The rotary transformer (202) is configured to couple X-ray generated power from the output of the X-ray power inverter (108) to a high voltage tank circuit (114) on the rotating side (12) of the system. The high voltage tank circuit (114) is further coupled to an X-ray generator tube (120);
Further, the rotary transformer (202) is configured to couple auxiliary power from the output of the auxiliary power inverter (204) to at least one auxiliary voltage output on the rotating side (12) of the CT system (10). is being done,
A multi-channel contactless power transmission system (200) characterized by The power transfer system (200) of claim 6, wherein the primary and secondary sides (302, 304) of the rotary transformer (202) further include concentric E-shaped cores (308, 310). A first core (308) of the concentric E-shaped cores on the primary side (302) of the rotary transformer (202) has a winding (206) coupled to the output of the X-ray power inverter. Is wound,
The second core (310) of the concentric E-shaped cores on the primary side (302) of the rotary transformer (202) has a winding coupled to the output of the auxiliary power inverter (204). Wound,
The power transmission system (200) of claim 7. The first core (308) of the concentric E-shaped cores on the secondary side (304) of the rotary transformer (202) has a winding coupled to the high voltage tank circuit (114). Is wound,
A second core (310) of the concentric E-shaped cores on the secondary side (304) of the rotary transformer (202) is used to generate the at least one auxiliary voltage output. At least one winding (212, 214) is wound,
The power transmission system (200) of claim 8. Each winding on the primary and secondary sides (302, 304) of the rotary transformer (202) begins with a first opening in the corresponding E-shaped core (308, 310) into the first groove. Extending circumferentially along, then through a second opening in the corresponding E-shaped core (308, 310) and then substantially circumferentially in the opposite direction along the second groove. The power transmission system of claim 9, wherein the power transmission system is configured by placing the wires in the first and second grooves of the corresponding E-shaped cores (308, 310) so as to extend to one opening. (200).

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