Integrated Active Rectifier Housing for Offshore Power Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Water-based energy capturing devices face challenges in efficiently transporting electrical energy from offshore locations to shore due to variations in generator motion caused by tidal and environmental factors, leading to voltage and frequency fluctuations, and high temperature issues that affect semiconductor components in electrical conditioning systems, particularly at high altitudes.
Innovation Solution
An integrated electrical conditioning system with an active rectifier and generator housed in a waterproof, thermally conductive enclosure near the energy capturing device, which efficiently converts AC to DC and regulates voltage, reducing heat dissipation issues and allowing for efficient heat transfer, and a transmission cable configuration that decreases power loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the rectifier and voltage conditioner are located on shore, then installation complexity is reduced, but transmission cable requirements increase and power loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical conditioning system is segmented into two parts: the active rectifier is placed on the offshore platform with the generator, while the voltage conditioner remains on shore. This segmentation allows rectification to occur at the source, converting variable frequency AC to DC locally, which reduces the burden on transmission cables and minimizes power loss during transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The active rectifier acts as an intermediary device between the generator and the transmission cable. By introducing this intermediate conversion stage, the system transforms the electrical energy form before transmission, enabling more efficient power transfer and reducing the required cable capacity.
2Temperature
If the active rectifier is integrated with the generator in a waterproof housing, then heat management is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The active rectifier is merged with the generator by housing both components together in a single waterproof enclosure. This combination allows the rectifier to utilize the generator's cooling infrastructure and shared mounting space, improving heat management while avoiding the need for separate cooling systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The waterproof housing serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for both the generator and rectifier, ensures environmental protection, and facilitates heat dissipation. This multi-functional design consolidates several requirements into a single solution, reducing overall system complexity.
3Device complexity
If transmission is done with variable voltage and frequency AC, then equipment requirements are reduced, but transmission efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The active rectifier performs preliminary conversion of electrical energy from variable frequency AC to DC before transmission. This advance conversion action stabilizes the electrical parameters, enabling more efficient transmission through the cable and reducing energy loss during power transfer.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enhances electrical transmission efficiency and performance by stabilizing voltage and frequency, reducing component failure risks, and simplifying installation by integrating the active rectifier with the generator in a waterproof housing for effective heat management and reduced transmission cable requirements.
Implementation Method 1
The first device uses diodes to convert the alternating polarity of the electrical energy to constant polarity and then uses capacitors to convert the frequency of the electrical energy from a variable value to zero; this is referred to as rectification.
Implementation Method 2
The waterproof housing may be filled with a low viscosity fluid that is both electrically insulative and thermally conductive to increase the rate of heat dissipation from both the active rectifier and the generator.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is disclosed for an innovative assembly of the electrical conditioning system connected to a water-based energy capturing device such as wave, hydrokinetic, or tidal machines to increase the efficiency of electrical power transmission between the energy capturing assembly and a load. The assembly favors the use of an active rectifier as the electrical conditioning system to provide both rectification and voltage regulation in a single system. The active rectifier can be configured to output a higher direct current (DC) bus voltage compared to passive rectifier solutions that both decrease the required size of the transmission cable conductors and transmission losses. The disclosure further details a method for installation of the active rectifier and the energy capturing device's generator within a waterproof enclosure so that the electrical conditioning system can be installed at the location of the energy capturing device, either near the surface of the water or below the surface of the water, while increasing thermal regulation capabilities of the electrical system components through the integration of a fluid to fill the cavity around the active rectifier and generator within the waterproof enclosure.