Closed loop air conditioning system for a computed tomography scanner
First Claim
1. A tomography apparatus comprising:
- a rotatable disk supported for rotation on a support frame;
an enclosure constructed and arranged so as to enclose at least a portion of the tomography apparatus including an array of detectors, and forming a substantially sealed chamber for the detectors; and
an air conditioning system constructed and arranged so as recirculate and condition air circulated in said chamber so as to pressurized the air within the chamber without introducing harmful particulate matter into the chamber, control the humidity of the air within the chamber and remove heat from the detectors during the operation of the apparatus, said air conditioning system includinga heat exchange subsystem coupled to said chamber and constructed and arranged so as to treat air in said chamber, anda humidifying subsystem for controlling the humidity of the air within the chamber.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A computed tomography (CT) scanner includes an enclosure which forms a substantially sealed chamber around the rotatable disk carrying the radiation source and the radiation detectors. The CT scanner further includes an air conditioning system for controlling the temperature and humidity of the air inside the chamber. The air conditioning system can be a closed loop system whereby only air from inside the chamber is processed through the air conditioning system and no outside air is introduced to the chamber. Thus, the CT scanner can be operated in a wider range of environmental conditions. In an alternate embodiment, the air conditioning system can produce a positive pressure inside the chamber to prevent outside air from entering through openings in the enclosure. In this embodiment, the air conditioning system can include an input port in order to draw sufficient outside air to produce a positive pressure inside the chamber. The input port can include a filter to prevent dust from entering the chamber, thus, enabling the CT scanner to have a longer useful life between preventative maintenance and service events.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A tomography apparatus comprising:
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a rotatable disk supported for rotation on a support frame; an enclosure constructed and arranged so as to enclose at least a portion of the tomography apparatus including an array of detectors, and forming a substantially sealed chamber for the detectors; and an air conditioning system constructed and arranged so as recirculate and condition air circulated in said chamber so as to pressurized the air within the chamber without introducing harmful particulate matter into the chamber, control the humidity of the air within the chamber and remove heat from the detectors during the operation of the apparatus, said air conditioning system including a heat exchange subsystem coupled to said chamber and constructed and arranged so as to treat air in said chamber, and a humidifying subsystem for controlling the humidity of the air within the chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification