Method and apparatus for monitoring superconducting magnet data
First Claim
1. A method for monitoring a superconducting magnet system, comprising:
- determining a magnet system type and associated sensor types of the superconducting magnet system;
selecting magnet settings for a monitoring system that monitors the superconducting magnet system, such settings generally corresponding to the determined magnet type and determined sensor types, and including one or more scaling factors for analog-to-digital conversion; and
programming the monitoring system in accordance with the selected magnet settings.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Remote monitoring of superconducting magnet systems of various types, manufacturers, vintages, and so forth, via a magnet selector interface providing for configuring the monitoring system to the particular magnet system of interest. The technique provides for scalable analogue to digital conversion with integrated excitation circuitry for the input and output of magnet system sensors. Devices, such as remote terminal units and other data-logging technology may be adapted to remotely monitor primary indicators and secondary indicators of magnet system performance and related boil-off of helium. The technique provides earlier warning of impending failures in the magnet system, and thus facilitates predictive maintenance, reduces maintenance costs, reduces MRI downtime, reduces helium loss, and the like.
32 Citations
47 Claims
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1. A method for monitoring a superconducting magnet system, comprising:
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determining a magnet system type and associated sensor types of the superconducting magnet system;
selecting magnet settings for a monitoring system that monitors the superconducting magnet system, such settings generally corresponding to the determined magnet type and determined sensor types, and including one or more scaling factors for analog-to-digital conversion; and
programming the monitoring system in accordance with the selected magnet settings. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for monitoring a superconducting magnet system, comprising:
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selecting a magnet profile that corresponds to a magnet system type and associated sensor types of the superconducting magnet system;
configuring a monitoring system that monitors the superconducting magnet system based on the selected profile, such profile including one or more scaling factors for analog-to-digital conversion;
providing an analog signal from a sensor disposed in the superconducting magnet system, such analog signal representative of an operating variable of the superconducting magnet system; and
scaling an analog-to-digital conversion of the analog signal based on the one or more scaling factors. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A monitoring system for remotely monitoring a superconducting magnet system, comprising:
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a scalable analog-to-digital converter that measures an analog signal from a sensor disposed in the superconducting magnet system;
a magnet selector interface for scaling the analog-to-digital converter and other monitoring system components to correspond to the particular sensor and to the type of superconducting magnet system being monitored;
control and monitoring circuitry for processing a digital signal converted from the analog signal; and
a communications module for sending signals to a remote host system and receiving signals from the remote host system. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A monitoring system for monitoring a superconducting magnet system, comprising:
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a scalable analog digital converter with integrated excitation circuitry that provides an excitation current to a sensor disposed in the superconducting magnet system and that reads an analog signal from the sensor;
a magnet selector interface for scaling the analog-to-digital converter and integrated excitation circuitry based on the particular sensor and on the particular superconducting magnet system being monitored;
control and monitoring circuitry and a communications module for processing and sending data to a remote host system and for receiving and processing data from the remote host system; and
a power supply for supplying power to analog-to-digital converter and the integrated excitation circuitry. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
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26. A superconducting magnet system, comprising:
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a cryogen vessel disposed in the superconducting magnet system and holding a cryogen for cooling one or more magnets;
a scalable analog-to-digital converter with integrated excitation circuitry that provides an excitation current to a sensor disposed in the superconducting magnet system and that reads an analog signal from the sensor;
a magnet selector interface for scaling the analog-to-digital converter and integrated excitation circuitry based on the particular sensor and on the particular superconducting magnet system being monitored;
control and monitoring circuitry and a communications module for processing and sending data to a remote host system and for receiving and processing data from the remote host system; and
a power supply for supplying power to analog-to-digital converter and the integrated excitation circuitry. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A system for monitoring a recondensing superconducting magnet, comprising:
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means for determining a magnet system type and associated sensor types of the superconducting magnet system;
means for selecting magnet settings for the monitoring system, such settings generally corresponding to the determined magnet type and determined sensor types, and including one or more scaling factors for analog-to-digital conversion; and
means for programming the monitoring system in accordance with the selected magnet settings. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A superconducting magnet system, comprising:
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means for selecting a magnet profile that corresponds to a magnet system type and associated sensor types of the superconducting magnet system;
means for configuring a monitoring system based on the selected profile, such profile including one or more scaling factors for analog-to-digital conversion;
means for providing an analog signal from a sensor disposed in the superconducting magnet system, such analog signal representative of an operating variable of the superconducting magnet system;
means for scaling an analog-to-digital conversion of the analog signal based on the one or more scaling factors; and
means for communicating a value of the operating variable to a remote host system. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39)
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40. A computer program, provided on one or more tangible media, for operating a superconducting magnet system, comprising:
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a routine for determining a magnet system type and associated sensor types of the superconducting magnet system;
a routine for selecting magnet settings for the monitoring system, such settings generally corresponding to the determined magnet type and determined sensor types, and including one or more scaling factors for analog-to-digital conversion;
a routine for programming the monitoring system in accordance with the selected magnet settings; and
a routine for remotely monitoring the superconducting magnet system. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44)
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45. A computer program, provided on one or more tangible media, for monitoring a superconducting magnet system, comprising:
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a routine for selecting a magnet profile that corresponds to a magnet system type and associated sensor types of the superconducting magnet system;
a routine for configuring a monitoring system that monitors the superconducting magnet system based on the selected profile, such profile including one or more scaling factors for analog-to-digital conversion;
a routine for providing an analog signal from a sensor disposed in the superconducting magnet system, such analog signal representative of an operating variable of the superconducting magnet system;
a routine for scaling an analog-to-digital conversion of the analog signal based on the one or more scaling factors; and
a routine for scaling an excitation current for input to the sensor, and wherein the scaling of the excitation current is determined by the magnet profile. - View Dependent Claims (46, 47)
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Specification