Embedded thermal control system for high field MR scanners

A method for controlling thermal behavior in an MRI system comprising:

• inputting at least one gradient field command into an embedded thermal controller;
• converting said at least one gradient field command into a power level signal;
• generating a model of said power level signal,
• generating a model change in a gradient temperature from said model of said power level signal;
• generating an initial bore condition signal from a temperature sensor coupled to the MRI;
• generating a gradient temperature signal from a sum of said initial condition signal and said model change in said gradient temperature;
• generating a change in bore temperature signal through summing said model of said power level signal and a model of said current bore temperature generated from said gradient temperature signal summed with said bore temperature signal;
• summing a second boundary condition with said change in bore temperature to generate said current bore temperature;
• and
• adjusting a gradient field.

An MRI thermal control system comprising:

• a gradient coil coupled to the MRI;
• at least one temperature sensor adapted to sense an initial bore condition and therefrom generate an initial bore condition signal and said at least one temperature sensor further adapted to sense a thermal boundary and therefrom generate a thermal boundary signal;
• gradient coil control actuator adapted to adjust a gradient field of said gradient coil;
• and
• an embedded thermal controller adapted to receive said initial condition signal and said thermal boundary signal, said embedded thermal controller further adapted to set at least one dynamic limit on power input into said gradient coil in response to said initial condition signal and said thermal boundary signal,
• said embedded thermal controller further adapted to activate said gradient coil control actuator in response to said dynamic limit.