Coil support for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) magnet and method of support

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9535143-B2
Application number	US-201113169812-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 27, 2011
Priority date	Jun 27, 2011
Publication date	Jan 3, 2017
Grant date	Jan 3, 2017

Abstract

A coil support arrangement for a Magnetic Resonance Imaging System and method of support are provided. One coil support arrangement includes a main former body having a plurality of channels between end flanges and a splint coupled to the main former body between the end flanges. The coil support arrangement also includes a load spreader coupled to the main former body adjacent one or more of the ends of the splint, and having a gap between the one or more ends of the splint and the load spreader.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A coil support arrangement for a superconducting magnet, the coil support arrangement comprising:
a main former body having a plurality of channels between end flanges;
a splint coupled to the main former body between the end flanges; and
a load spreader coupled to the main former body adjacent one or more of the ends of the splint, and having a gap between the one or more ends of the splint and the load spreader.

2. The coil support arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the main former body is formed from a composite material, the splint is formed from a metal material and the load spreader is formed from a composite material.

3. The coil support arrangement of claim 2 , wherein the main former body is formed from a different composite material than the load spreader.

4. The coil support arrangement of claim 2 , wherein the main former body is formed from a same composite material than the load spreader.

5. The coil support arrangement of claim 2 , wherein the splint is formed from stainless steel and the load spreader is formed from an epoxy laminate.

6. The coil support arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the gap is sized such that during normal operation of the superconducting magnet, the ends of the splint abut the load spreaders.

7. The coil support arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the load spreader comprises a plate.

8. The coil support arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the load spreader is configured as a stepwise interface.

9. The coil support arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the load spreader is configured having a polygonal shaped interface.

10. The coil support arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the load spreader is coupled to an inner wall of the end flange of the main former body.

11. The coil support arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the load spreader is coupled to one of a plurality of inner channels of the main former body.

12. A coil support arrangement for a superconducting magnet, the coil support arrangement comprising:
a main former body having a plurality of channels between end flanges, the main former body formed from a non-metal composite material;
a splint coupled to the main former body axially between the end flanges and above at least some of the plurality of channels, the splint formed from a metal material; and
a load spreader coupled to the end flanges of the main former body adjacent the ends of the splint, the load spreader formed from a non-metal composite material, and having a gap between the one or more ends of the splint and the load spreader.

13. The coil support arrangement of claim 12 , wherein the non-metal composite material forming the main former body and the load spreader is the same.

14. The coil support arrangement of claim 12 , wherein the non-metal composite material forming the main former body and the load spreader is different.

15. The coil support arrangement of claim 12 , wherein the gap is sized such that during normal operation of the superconducting magnet at about 4 degrees Kelvin, the ends of the splint abut the load spreaders.

16. The coil support arrangement of claim 12 , wherein the ends of the splint and the load spreaders are complementary shaped or configured.

17. The coil support arrangement of claim 12 , further comprising load spreaders coupled between the end flanges of the main former body.

18. A method for fabricating a coil support arrangement for a superconducting magnet, the method comprising:
coupling a metal splint to a non-metal main former body between end flanges; and
coupling a non-metal load spreader to the main former body adjacent one or more of the ends of the splint, and having a gap between the one or more ends of the splint and the load spreader.

19. The coil support arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the gap is sized such that during ramping operation of the superconducting magnet, a space is provided between the one or more ends of the splint and the load spreader, and during normal operation of the superconducting magnet, the one or more ends of the splint abut the load spreader closing the gap.

20. The coil support arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the one or more ends of the splint are defined by an edge having a side surface facing the load spreader, the side surface between top and bottom surfaces of the splint, and wherein the gap is between the side surface of the edge of the one or more ends of the splint and the load spreader.

21. The coil support arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the one or more ends of the splint are aligned axially with the load spreader to define a support axis, the gap between the one or more ends of the splint and the load spreader being along the support axis.

Assignees

• Derakhshan Mark
• Jiang Longzhi
• Einziger William
• Diao Xiaoxue
• Gronemeyer Benjamin
• Citirik Erman
• Gen Electric

Inventors

• Derakhshan Mark
• Jiang Longzhi
• Einziger William
• Diao Xiaoxue
• Gronemeyer Benjamin
• Citirik Erman

Classifications

• G01R33/3815

  with superconducting coils, e.g. power supply therefor · CPC title

• G01R33/3802 Primary

  Manufacture or installation of magnet assemblies; Additional hardware for transportation or installation of the magnet assembly or for providing mechanical support to components of the magnet assembly · CPC title

• H01F6/06

  Coils, e.g. winding, insulating, terminating or casing arrangements therefor · CPC title

• Y10T29/4984

  Retaining clearance for motion between assembled parts · CPC title