Evaporative cooling system and converter valve
Through the cooperation of laser and photoinductive devices, the leakage monitoring problem of the evaporative cooling system in complex environments such as converter valves is solved, and the accurate judgment of liquid level and the evaluation of leakage rate is achieved, ensuring the stable operation and safety of the equipment.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202421842175.2
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-07-31
- Publication Date
- 2025-09-05
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-07-31
AI Technical Summary
The existing evaporative cooling system is difficult to effectively monitor liquid leakage in large power equipment, especially when the voltage around the converter valve is high and the line arrangement is complicated, it increases the difficulty of monitoring the operating status.
The laser generator and photoinductor are used to combine the laser generator to determine the liquid level state by converting the optical signal into an electrical signal. The movement of the float in the liquid level monitoring tube changes the light on and off. Combined with multiple photoinductor switches and ammeters, accurate monitoring and leakage judgment of the liquid level is achieved.
It realizes fluid leakage monitoring of the evaporative cooling system in complex power equipment environments, ensures the stable operation of the converter valve, improves safety and reduces property losses.
Smart Images
Figure CN223310133U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present application relates to the field of heat exchange technology, and specifically provides an evaporative cooling system and a converter valve. Background Art
[0002] Current power systems, such as high-power equipment like converter valves and large IGBT devices, generate significant amounts of heat during operation. Improving heat dissipation to ensure stable system operation is a critical issue. Traditional air cooling methods suffer from large footprints, high noise levels, and low heat dissipation efficiency. Similarly, liquid cooling, due to its complex liquid supply piping, carries the drawback of high maintenance costs. Evaporative cooling, which utilizes the principle of phase-change heat transfer for heat exchange, offers a simpler system architecture and lower maintenance costs compared to these two methods, resulting in higher reliability and safety.
[0003] For evaporative cooling systems, leakage may occur during the phase change cycle of the cooling medium due to system aging or environmental factors. Since evaporative cooling systems are used in large power equipment such as converter valves, the voltage around the converter valves is high and the line layout is relatively complex. These factors increase the difficulty of monitoring the operating status of the evaporative cooling system. Therefore, how to monitor leakage in the evaporative cooling system to ensure the normal operation of the converter valves has become a technical problem that needs to be solved urgently. Utility Model Content
[0004] The present application aims to solve the above technical problem, that is, to solve the problem of how to monitor liquid leakage in an evaporative cooling system.
[0005] In a first aspect, the present application provides an evaporative cooling system comprising:
[0006] A cooling circuit, wherein an evaporative cooling component is connected therein, a liquid level monitoring tube is connected therein, and a float is provided in the liquid level monitoring tube;
[0007] a laser generating device, which is located on one side of the liquid level monitoring tube;
[0008] A photoelectric sensing device is located on the other side of the liquid level monitoring tube. When the liquid level in the liquid level monitoring tube changes and the float moves, the light emitted by the laser generating device can pass through the liquid level monitoring tube and illuminate the photoelectric sensing device to achieve electrical conduction, or be blocked by the float and disconnect the electrical conduction with the photoelectric sensing device.
[0009] In a technical solution of the above-mentioned evaporative cooling system, the photoelectric sensing device includes a plurality of photoelectric sensing switches spaced apart in the vertical direction, and the laser generating device includes a plurality of laser emitting probes, each of the laser emitting probes corresponding to the photoelectric sensing switch.
[0010] In a technical solution of the above-mentioned evaporative cooling system, the photoelectric sensing device further includes an ammeter, and a plurality of the photoelectric sensing switches are arranged in parallel and are all electrically connected to the ammeter.
[0011] In a technical solution of the above-mentioned evaporative cooling system, the emitting ends of the laser emitting probes are all arranged in a horizontal direction.
[0012] In one technical solution of the above evaporative cooling system, the cooling circuit includes:
[0013] a liquid storage tank, wherein the liquid level monitoring tube is in communication with the liquid storage tank;
[0014] A liquid inlet pipeline is communicated with the liquid storage tank.
[0015] In one technical solution of the above evaporative cooling system, the cooling circuit further comprises:
[0016] A liquid return pipeline is connected to the liquid storage tank, and the liquid return pipeline is arranged in parallel with the liquid level monitoring pipe.
[0017] In one technical solution of the above-mentioned evaporative cooling system, a thermal insulation layer is provided on the outside of the oil storage tank.
[0018] In one technical solution of the above evaporative cooling system, the cooling circuit further comprises:
[0019] A condenser is connected and arranged in the liquid inlet pipeline.
[0020] In a second aspect, the present application provides a converter valve comprising the evaporative cooling system according to any one of the first aspects.
[0021] In one technical solution of the above-mentioned converter valve, the converter valve includes a plurality of power valve groups;
[0022] The evaporative cooling components are provided in plurality and are respectively attached to the power valve group to cool the power valve group. The plurality of evaporative cooling components are connected to each other.
[0023] When adopting the above-mentioned technical solution, the present application converts the optical signal into an electrical signal through the cooperation between the laser generator, the buoy and the photoelectric sensing device, thereby judging the liquid level status, overcoming the problem of difficulty in liquid level detection caused by factors such as high voltage around the converter valve and complex line layout, thereby ensuring the stable operation of the converter valve, improving safety and reducing property losses.
[0024] Furthermore, by configuring the photoelectric sensing device as multiple photoelectric switches connected in parallel, and simultaneously placing an ammeter in the main circuit, and correspondingly providing multiple laser emission probes corresponding to the photoelectric switches, the number of photoelectric switches that are turned on determines the current value in the main circuit of the photoelectric sensing device. The specific height of the liquid level is determined based on the magnitude of the current value, thereby enabling monitoring of the liquid level at different vertical positions. Furthermore, based on the current change information represented by the ammeter over a certain period of time, it is possible to more intuitively determine whether the evaporative cooling system is leaking and the leakage rate. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] The preferred embodiments of the present application are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0026] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an evaporative cooling system in a first state according to an embodiment of the present application;
[0027] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an evaporative cooling system in a second state according to an embodiment of the present application;
[0028] Figure 3 3 is a schematic diagram of an evaporative cooling system in a third state according to an embodiment of the present application.
[0029] In the figures, the reference numerals refer to the following:
[0030] 1. Laser generating device; 100. Converter valve; 11. Laser generator; 12. Laser emission probe; 2. Photoelectric sensing device; 21. Power supply; 22. Ammeter; 23. Photoelectric sensing switch; 31. Liquid inlet pipeline; 32. Condenser; 33. Liquid storage tank; 34. Liquid level monitoring tube; 35. Float; 36. Liquid return pipeline. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] The preferred embodiments of the present application are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art should understand that these embodiments are merely intended to illustrate the technical principles of the present application and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present application. Those skilled in the art may adjust these embodiments as needed to suit specific applications.
[0032] It should be noted that, in the description of this application, terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "inner," and "outer" indicating directions or positional relationships are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. This is merely for ease of description and does not indicate or imply that the relevant devices or components must have a specific orientation, be constructed, or operate in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this application. Furthermore, ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.
[0033] Furthermore, it should be noted that, in the description of this application, unless otherwise specified or limited, the terms "installed" and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they can refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; mechanical connections, electrical connections; and direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediary. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.
[0034] Reference Figure 1 , is a schematic diagram of an evaporative cooling system in a first state according to one embodiment of the present application. The evaporative cooling system includes a cooling circuit, and a laser generator 1 and a photoelectric sensor 2 disposed on different sides of the cooling circuit. In one embodiment of the present application, the evaporative cooling system is illustrated using a converter valve 100 as an example.
[0035] The cooling circuit comprises a liquid inlet pipeline 31, a condenser 32, a liquid storage tank 33, a liquid level monitoring tube 34, and an evaporative cooling assembly (not shown) attached to the power valve group of the converter valve 100, arranged in series. Each evaporative cooling assembly is interconnected and cools the power valve group. The piping system comprising each evaporative cooling assembly is connected to the liquid inlet pipeline 31 at one end and to the liquid level monitoring tube 34 at the other end, forming a closed circuit. A cooling medium is provided within the cooling circuit. After the cooling medium in the evaporative cooling assembly undergoes a phase change upon receiving heat, the gaseous medium rises along the liquid inlet pipeline 31 and enters the condenser 32. After undergoing another phase change, the gaseous medium becomes a liquid and enters the liquid storage tank 33. The gaseous medium then flows back along the liquid level monitoring tube 34 to the evaporative cooling assembly for another heat exchange.
[0036] In one embodiment of the present application, a thermal insulation layer may be provided on the outside of the liquid storage tank 33 to reduce the heat exchange between the cooling medium and the outside world, thereby improving the heat exchange effect of the evaporative cooling system.
[0037] A float 35 is installed within the liquid level monitoring tube 34, rising and falling with the liquid level. A laser generator 1 is located on one side of the liquid level monitoring tube 34, while a photoelectric sensor 2 is located on the other side. The laser generator 1 is responsible for emitting laser light, while the photoelectric sensor 2 is responsible for receiving the laser light. The liquid level monitoring tube 34 is located in the light path formed by the laser generator 1 and the photoelectric sensor 2.
[0038] It should be noted that the laser emitted by the laser generating device 1 can pass through the liquid level monitoring tube 34 and the liquid cooling medium therein, but cannot pass through the buoy 35 , that is, the buoy 35 can block the laser.
[0039] During stable operation of the evaporative cooling system, the liquid level in liquid level monitoring tube 34 typically remains within a relatively stable height range. At this point, float 35 blocks the laser light generated by laser generator 1, preventing photoelectric sensor 2 from sensing the light signal and, consequently, preventing electrical conduction. When the evaporative cooling system leaks, the coolant is lost, causing the liquid level in liquid level monitoring tube 34 to drop, and float 35 to drop accordingly. At this point, light from laser generator 1 can reach photoelectric sensor 2, achieving electrical conduction. The signal fed back by photoelectric sensor 2 can then be used to determine the liquid level, enabling further maintenance and ensuring the stable operation of the power system, including the converter valve.
[0040] It can be seen that the present application converts the optical signal into an electrical signal through the cooperation between the laser generating device 1, the buoy 35 and the photoelectric sensing device 2, thereby judging the liquid level status, overcoming the problem of difficulty in liquid level detection caused by factors such as high voltage around the converter valve and complex line layout, thereby ensuring the stable operation of the converter valve, improving safety and reducing property losses.
[0041] As a possible implementation of the present application, the laser generating device 1 includes a laser generator 11 and a plurality of laser emitting probes 12 electrically connected to the output end of the laser emitter 11. The laser generator 11 outputs the light beam to each laser emitting probe 12 through an optical splitter, thereby generating multiple parallel light beams.
[0042] The photoelectric sensing device 2 includes a power supply 21 , an ammeter 22 and a plurality of photoelectric sensing switches 23 . The plurality of photoelectric sensing switches 23 are arranged in parallel and are electrically connected to the ammeter 22 . Each photoelectric sensing switch 23 forms a complete circuit with the power supply 21 and the ammeter 22 .
[0043] The plurality of photoelectric sensor switches 23 are arranged at intervals in the vertical direction, and accordingly, the plurality of laser emitting probes 12 are also arranged at intervals in the vertical direction, with each laser emitting probe 12 corresponding to a photoelectric sensor switch 23. Optionally, in one embodiment of the present application, the emitting end of the laser emitting probe 12 is arranged in the horizontal direction, so that the light path formed by the laser emitting probe 12 and the photoelectric sensor switch is arranged horizontally.
[0044] like Figure 1 As shown, an example is given in which three laser emitting probes 12 and three photoelectric sensing switches 23 are provided. The first state refers to the state when the liquid level monitoring tube 34 is at a higher liquid level value. At this time, the float 35 blocks the light of the upper laser emitting probe 12, and none of the photoelectric sensing switches 23 in the photoelectric sensing device 2 can receive the photoelectric signal. The first current value displayed by the ammeter 22 is zero.
[0045] like Figure 2FIG2 is a schematic diagram of an evaporative cooling system in a second state according to an embodiment of the present application, wherein the second state refers to the state when the liquid level in the liquid level monitoring tube 34 is at the middle liquid level value. At this time, the float 35 blocks the light emitted by the two laser emitting probes 12 below, and only the light emitted by the uppermost laser emitting probe 12 can be irradiated to the photoelectric sensing switch 23 on the opposite side thereof, while the other photoelectric sensing switches 23 below are not turned on, that is, only one branch is turned on. At this time, the ammeter 22 displays the second current value.
[0046] like Figure 3 As shown, it is a schematic diagram of the evaporative cooling system in the third state according to an embodiment of the present application, wherein the third state refers to the state when the liquid level monitoring tube 34 is at the lower liquid level value. At this time, the float 35 blocks the light emitted by the lowest laser emitting probe 12, and the light emitted by the two upper laser emitting probes 12 can be irradiated on the photoelectric sensing switch 23 on the opposite side. Only the lowest photoelectric sensing switch 23 is not conductive, that is, there are two parallel branches that are conductive. At this time, the ammeter 22 displays the third current value. It can be seen that the third current value is greater than the second current value.
[0047] Of course, there may also be a fourth state, that is, the buoy 35 sinks completely to the bottom of the liquid level monitoring tube 34, and all the light emitted by the laser emitting probe 12 can be irradiated onto the photoelectric sensing switch 23 on the opposite side. At this time, all three parallel branches are turned on, and the ammeter 22 displays the fourth current value. It can be seen that the fourth current value is greater than the third current value.
[0048] As mentioned above, each laser emitting probe 12 corresponds to a photoelectric sensing switch 23. The number of photoelectric sensing switches 23 that are turned on determines the current value of the main circuit of the photoelectric sensing device 2. The specific height of the liquid level value is judged according to the size of the current value, so that the liquid level values at different positions along the vertical direction can be monitored.
[0049] Specifically, in the case of an evaporative cooling system, if the current reading on ammeter 22 gradually increases, it indicates that the liquid level in liquid level monitoring tube 34 is gradually decreasing, indicating that the coolant in the evaporative cooling system is leaking. The rate of increase in the current value reflects the rate of leakage. At this point, the evaporative cooling system should be inspected and repaired.
[0050] It should be noted that when the evaporative cooling system is in a stable operating state, the current value of ammeter 22 is not necessarily zero; it can also be a certain initial current value. The magnitude of this initial current value depends on the total amount of coolant, i.e., the liquid level in liquid level monitoring tube 34. As explained above, when the evaporative cooling system is in a stable operating state, the liquid level in liquid level monitoring tube 34 is at a relatively stable level, and the current value of ammeter 22 is naturally also stable. However, in some other scenarios, when the current value of ammeter 22 does not continuously increase but instead fluctuates within a small range, this indicates that the evaporative cooling system is operating unstable. This may be due to intense boiling heat exchange or other factors causing the liquid level in liquid level monitoring tube 34 to fluctuate. In this case, the system can be inspected and repaired based on this characteristic factor of ammeter 22 to confirm whether there is any abnormality in the system operation.
[0051] It should also be noted that, with respect to the size of the float 35 in the liquid level monitoring tube 34 , it must be ensured that when the float 35 blocks the top photoelectric sensor switch 23 , the lower end of the float 35 can also block the bottom photoelectric sensor switch 23 , thereby avoiding misjudgment.
[0052] Reference Figure 1 In one embodiment of the present application, a liquid return line 36 is further connected between the evaporative cooling assembly and the liquid storage tank 33. This liquid return line 36 is arranged in parallel with the liquid level monitoring line 34. It should be noted that the liquid return line 36 serves as the primary return path for the coolant in the cooling circuit, while the liquid level monitoring line 34 is provided only to facilitate liquid level monitoring. Based on the principle of communicating vessels, the liquid level in the liquid level monitoring line 34 is the same as the liquid level in the liquid return line 36.
[0053] In this way, in practical applications, the position of the liquid return line 36 can be flexibly set to meet the needs of spatial arrangement. The liquid return line 36 only needs to be kept away from the emission path of the laser.
[0054] This application also discloses a converter valve comprising the evaporative cooling system of any of the aforementioned embodiments. In one implementation, the converter valve includes multiple power valve groups, and correspondingly, multiple evaporative cooling assemblies are provided. These evaporative cooling assemblies are interconnected to form an integrated piping system, one end of which is connected to the liquid inlet line 31, and the other end is connected to the liquid return line 36 and the liquid level monitoring line 34. Each evaporative cooling assembly is attached to a corresponding power valve group to cool each power valve group.
[0055] Of course, the evaporative cooling system of the present application is not limited to application in converter valves, but can also be applied to other power equipment that requires cooling.
[0056] Thus far, the technical solutions of the present application have been described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. However, it is readily understood by those skilled in the art that the scope of protection of the present application is obviously not limited to these specific embodiments. Without departing from the principles of the present application, those skilled in the art may make equivalent changes or substitutions to the relevant technical features, and the technical solutions after such changes or substitutions will fall within the scope of protection of the present application.
Claims
1. An evaporative cooling system, characterized in that: include: A cooling circuit, wherein an evaporative cooling component is connected therein, a liquid level monitoring tube is connected therein, and a float is provided in the liquid level monitoring tube; a laser generating device, which is located on one side of the liquid level monitoring tube; A photoelectric sensing device is located on the other side of the liquid level monitoring tube. When the liquid level in the liquid level monitoring tube changes and the float moves, the light emitted by the laser generating device can pass through the liquid level monitoring tube and illuminate the photoelectric sensing device to achieve electrical conduction, or be blocked by the float and disconnect the electrical conduction with the photoelectric sensing device.
2. The evaporative cooling system according to claim 1, wherein: The photoelectric sensing device includes a plurality of photoelectric sensing switches spaced apart in a vertical direction, and the laser generating device includes a plurality of laser emitting probes, each of which corresponds to the photoelectric sensing switch.
3. The evaporative cooling system according to claim 2, characterized in that The photoelectric sensing device further includes an ammeter, and a plurality of the photoelectric sensing switches are arranged in parallel and are all electrically connected to the ammeter.
4. The evaporative cooling system according to claim 2, wherein: The emitting ends of the laser emitting probes are all arranged in a horizontal direction.
5. The evaporative cooling system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The cooling circuit comprises: a liquid storage tank, wherein the liquid level monitoring tube is in communication with the liquid storage tank; A liquid inlet pipeline is communicated with the liquid storage tank.
6. The evaporative cooling system according to claim 5, characterized in that The cooling circuit further comprises: A liquid return pipeline is connected to the liquid storage tank, and the liquid return pipeline is arranged in parallel with the liquid level monitoring pipe.
7. The evaporative cooling system according to claim 5, wherein: A heat-insulating layer is provided on the outside of the liquid storage tank.
8. The evaporative cooling system according to claim 5, wherein: The cooling circuit further comprises: A condenser is connected and arranged in the liquid inlet pipeline.
9. A converter valve, characterized in that: An evaporative cooling system comprising the evaporative cooling system of any one of claims 1 to 8.
10. The converter valve according to claim 9, characterized in that: The converter valve includes a plurality of power valve groups; The evaporative cooling components are provided in plurality and are respectively attached to the power valve group to cool the power valve group. The plurality of evaporative cooling components are connected to each other.