Detector system for imaging device

1. A detector system for an imaging system, comprising:

a detector chassis forming a housing having a plurality of detector elements and associated electronics located along a length of the chassis;

a duct extending along the length of the chassis;

a manifold having a plurality of openings extending along the length of the chassis, the manifold providing fluid communication between the duct and the chassis housing;

a vacuum source coupled to the duct that generates a vacuum force within the duct;

a plurality of inlet openings extending along the length of the chassis housing, an airflow path being defined through the chassis housing between the plurality of inlet openings and the plurality of manifold openings, the detector elements and associated electronics being located along the airflow path; and

an exhaust opening coupled to the vacuum source for removing air from the detector system.

2. The detector system of claim 1 , wherein the vacuum source comprises a suction fan.

3. The detector system of claim 1 , wherein the chassis has a length defined between a first end and a second end, and the vacuum source and the exhaust opening are located proximate to one of the first end and the second end of the chassis.

4. The detector system of claim 1 , wherein the chassis has a width defined between a first side surface and a second side surface, and the vacuum source and the exhaust opening are located proximate to the first side surface of the chassis.

5. The detector system of claim 4 , wherein the inlet openings are located proximate to the second side surface of the chassis.

6. The detector system of claim 1 , wherein the inlet openings are located on a rear surface of the detector chassis.

7. The detector system of claim 1 , wherein the inlet openings comprise a first set of outer inlet openings and a second set of inner inlet openings, wherein the respective outer inlet openings and inner inlet openings are offset relative to one another.

8. The detector system of claim 7 , wherein a filter material is located in a gap between the set of outer inlet openings and the set of inner inlet openings.

9. The detector system of claim 1 , further comprising a baffle that directs the airflow from the inlet openings into thermal contact with the detector elements and electronics.

10. The detector system of claim 1 , wherein the chassis housing comprises one or more internal passageways for directing airflow into thermal contact with the detector elements and electronics.

11. The detector system of claim 1 , wherein the detector elements are positioned upstream of the electronics along the airflow path, such that the airflow makes thermal contact with the detector elements before the electronics.

12. The detector system of claim 1 , wherein at least one temperature-sensitive component of the detector is positioned upstream of at least one heat-generating component of the detector along the airflow path.

13. The detector system of claim 1 , wherein the detector elements comprise photodiodes.

14. The detector system of claim 1 , wherein the electronics comprise analog-to-digital converters.

15. The detector system of claim 1 , wherein the detector system is housed within a gantry of an imaging system.

16. The detector system of claim 15 , wherein the detector system is mounted to a rotor that is housed within the gantry.

17. The detector system of claim 16 , wherein the imaging system comprises an x-ray CT imaging system.

18. The detector system of claim 15 , wherein the exhaust opening directs the airflow out of the gantry.

19. The detector system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of openings in the manifold vary in size and/or spacing between openings along the length of the chassis to promote uniform airflow along the length of the detector system.

20. The detector system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of inlet openings vary in size and/or spacing between openings along the length of the chassis to promote uniform airflow along the length of the detector system.

21. The detector system of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of anti-scatter plates mounted perpendicular to the detector elements.

22. The detector system of claim 21 , further comprising a support element mounted to the detector chassis having alignment features that allow the anti-scatter plates to slide into the support element to secure the anti-scatter plates in proper alignment with respect to the detector elements.

23. The detector system of claim 22 , wherein the support element comprises an injected-molded plastic component.

24. The detector system of claim 22 , further comprising at least one alignment feature that fixes the position of the support element on the detector chassis.

25. The detector system of claim 24 , wherein the at least one alignment feature comprises at least one slot with which a protuberance on the support element engages.

26. The detector system of claim 25 , wherein the at least one alignment feature comprises at least one protuberance on the detector chassis which engages with the support element.

27. A method of controlling temperature within a detector system of an imaging system, the detector system comprising a heat sensitive component and a heat generating component located in a housing, the detector system further comprising at least one opening in fluid communication with the housing, the method comprising:

directing a cooling fluid through the at least one opening and over the heat sensitive component of the detector system;

directing the cooling fluid from the heat sensitive component over the heat generating component of the detector system, wherein directing the cooling fluid over the heat sensitive component and the heat generating component comprises operating a vacuum source in fluid communication with the housing;

directing the cooling fluid from the housing through a manifold coupled to a duct; and

directing the cooling fluid from the duct out of the detector system.

28. The method of claim 27 , wherein the cooling fluid comprises air.

29. The method of claim 27 , wherein the vacuum source comprises a suction fan.

30. The method of claim 27 , wherein directing the cooling fluid out of the detector system comprises directing the cooling fluid through an exhaust opening coupled to the vacuum source.

31. The method of claim 27 , wherein the heat sensitive component comprises a photodiode.

32. The method of claim 31 , wherein the heat generating component comprises an analog-to-digital converter.

33. The method of claim 27 , wherein the detector system is housed within a gantry of an imaging system.

34. The method of claim 33 , further comprising rotating the detector system on a rotor within the gantry of the imaging system.

35. The method of claim 33 , wherein the imaging system comprises an x-ray CT imaging system.

36. The method of claim 33 , further comprising directing the cooling fluid out of the gantry.

37. An x-ray CT imaging system, comprising:

an x-ray source and a detector system housed within an imaging gantry for obtaining images of an object positioned within an imaging bore of the gantry, wherein the detector system comprises:

a detector chassis forming a housing having a plurality of detector elements and associated electronics located along a length of the chassis;

a duct extending along the length of the chassis;

a manifold having a plurality of openings extending along the length of the chassis, the manifold providing fluid communication between the duct and the chassis housing;

a vacuum source coupled to the duct that generates a vacuum force within the duct;

a plurality of inlet openings extending along the length of the chassis housing, an airflow path being defined through the chassis housing between the plurality of inlet openings and the plurality of manifold openings, the detector elements and associated electronics being located along the airflow path; and

an exhaust opening coupled to the vacuum source for removing air from the detector system.