EDS Seminar: Juan A. Sabate, GE Global Research

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Location

Phillips Hall 233

Description

Abstract: Gradient Driver is one of the key components in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner. The driver is responsible to create gradient fields by suppling the gradient coil with large current (>1000A) and high voltage (>2000V) to achieve strong gradient field and fast slew rate. The driver output are arbitrary bidirectional currents that can be pulsating between zero and full power. The accuracy for the currents supplied to the gradient coils requires regulated voltages provided to the inverter with reduced voltage change (<-10%). The power supplies must be designed for peak power. Capacitors for energy storage in the system limit voltage sag and peak power draw from the facility power utilities. The presentation will provide detailed description of the electronics technology and technical implementation of the amplifiers currently used on the high-performance MRI systems. Bio: Dr. Sabate received his Ph.D. (‘94) and M.S. (‘88) degrees in Electrical Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Since 2000 he has been at the GE Global Research Center in upstate New York, where he is a Senior Principal Engineer. Since joining GE, Dr. Sabate has led multidisciplinary teams of scientists and engineers to develop power supplies and high-power switching amplifiers for energy and medical applications. He has also contributed to developing new portfolios for GE energy and consulting with GE Aviation Systems to introduce SiC devices for power conversion. Sponsored by: Cornell University, School of Electrical and Computer EngineeringPartially funded by GPSAFC