Packaging for CT detector
A detector assembly for a CT system includes a plurality of detector modules, each detector module including a grid of pixelated scintillators, a photodiode having pixelations that correspond with the pixelated scintillators, and an electronics package for processing acquired X-ray data, a support structure extending along a Z-direction of the CT system and having the plurality of detector modules positioned thereon, and a heat sink extending along the Z-direction and having the support structure mounted thereon, the heat sink including a passageway passing therethrough and along the Z-direction, such that cooling air may pass into the passageway at a first end of the heat sink and exit the passageway at a second end of the heat sink opposite the first end.
1. A detector assembly for a CT system, comprising:
a plurality of detector modules, each detector module including a grid of pixelated scintillators, a photodiode having pixelations that correspond with the pixelated scintillators, and an electronics package for processing acquired X-ray data;
a support structure extending along a Z-direction of the CT system and having the plurality of detector modules positioned thereon; and
a heat sink extending along the Z-direction and having the support structure mounted thereon, the heat sink including a passageway passing therethrough and along the Z-direction, such that cooling air may pass into the passageway at a first end of the heat sink and exit the passageway at a second end of the heat sink opposite the first end.
2. The detector assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of plates positioned within the passageway and thermally coupled to the heat sink, each of the plurality of plates extending along the Z-direction.
3. The detector assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a heat transfer enhancement device positioned within the heat sink and extending along the Z-direction.
4. The detector assembly of claim 3 , wherein the heat transfer enhancement device is a heat pipe having a convective heat transfer medium positioned therein.
5. The detector assembly of claim 3 , wherein the heat transfer enhancement device is a copper pipe.
6. The detector assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a heater positioned between the support structure and the heat sink.
7. The detector assembly of claim 6 , further comprising a thermal barrier positioned between the heat sink and the heater.
8. A method of assembling a detector assembly for a CT system, the method comprising:
providing a plurality of detector modules, each detector module including a grid of pixelated scintillators, a photodiode having pixelations that correspond with the pixelated scintillators, and an electronics package for processing acquired X-ray data;
providing a support structure that extends along a Z-direction of the CT system;
positioning the plurality of detector modules on the support structure;
providing a heat sink that extends along the Z-direction, the heat sink including a passageway passing therethrough and along the Z-direction, such that cooling air may pass into the passageway at a first end of the heat sink and exit the passageway at a second end of the heat sink opposite the first end; and
mounting the support structure to the heat sink.
9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising a plurality of plates positioned within the passageway and thermally coupled to the heat sink, each of the plurality of plates extending along the Z-direction.
10. The method of claim 8 , further comprising a heat transfer enhancement device positioned within the heat sink and extending along the Z-direction.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the heat transfer enhancement device is a heat pipe having a convective heat transfer medium positioned therein.
12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the heat transfer enhancement device is a copper pipe.
13. The method of claim 8 , further comprising positioning a heater between the support structure and the heat sink.
14. The method of claim 13 , further comprising positioning a thermal barrier between the heat sink and the heater.
15. A CT system comprising:
a rotatable gantry having an opening for receiving an object to be scanned;
an x-ray tube having a focal spot from which x-rays emit; and
a detector assembly comprising one or more scintillator modules for receiving x-rays from the focal spot, the detector assembly comprising:
a plurality of detector modules, each detector module including a grid of pixelated scintillators, a photodiode having pixelations that correspond with the pixelated scintillators, and an electronics package for processing acquired X-ray data;
a support structure extending along a Z-direction of the CT system and having the plurality of detector modules positioned thereon; and
a heat sink extending along the Z-direction and having the support structure mounted thereon, the heat sink including a passageway passing therethrough and along the Z-direction, such that cooling air may pass into the passageway at a first end of the heat sink and exit the passageway at a second end of the heat sink opposite the first end.
16. The detector of claim 15 , wherein the detector assembly further comprises a plurality of plates positioned within the passageway and thermally coupled to the heat sink, each of the plurality of plates extending along the Z-direction.
17. The detector of claim 15 , wherein the detector assembly further comprises a heat transfer enhancement device positioned within the heat sink and extending along the Z-direction.
18. The detector of claim 17 , wherein the heat transfer enhancement device is a heat pipe having a convective heat transfer medium positioned therein.
19. The detector of claim 15 , further comprising a heater positioned between the support structure and the heat sink.
20. The detector assembly of claim 19 , further comprising a thermal barrier positioned between the heat sink and the heater.