Direct Impingement Cooling Blocks for High-Voltage SSSC Inverters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid cooling systems for high-power semiconductor devices in static synchronous series compensator (SSSC) systems face challenges due to water ionization when used in proximity to high voltages, leading to safety and reliability issues.
Innovation Solution
A liquid cooling system with a liquid cooling block (LCB) that provides direct impingement cooling and incorporates voltage isolation to prevent ionization of the liquid coolant, allowing for efficient thermal management of high-power semiconductor devices even at high voltages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If liquid cooling is used for high-power semiconductor devices, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but water ionization occurs in proximity to high voltages causing safety and reliability issues
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid cooling system is divided into electrically isolated segments. Each cooling block is electrically isolated from ground and other cooling blocks through insulating barriers, allowing liquid cooling to be applied to multiple high-voltage components without creating a continuous conductive path that would cause ionization and safety issues
Solution Approach 2:
Electrical insulation barriers act as intermediaries between the liquid coolant and high-voltage components. These barriers prevent direct electrical contact between the conductive liquid and high-voltage surfaces, eliminating the ionization problem while preserving the high heat transfer efficiency of liquid cooling
2Temperature
If direct impingement cooling is used, then cooling efficiency is improved, but complex cooling channel structure is required
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system uses multiple independent cooling blocks rather than a single complex continuous channel system. Each block has simplified internal channels that terminate at cooling surfaces, allowing direct impingement cooling to be achieved through modular, easier-to-manufacture components
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses liquid pressure and flow dynamics to achieve direct impingement cooling. Coolant is delivered under pressure through inlet channels to impinge directly on cooling surfaces, using hydraulic principles rather than complex mechanical or structural arrangements
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 proposed liquid cooling system effectively manages heat in high-power semiconductor devices while preventing water ionization, enhancing the reliability and safety of SSSC systems operating at high voltages.
Implementation Method 1
The liquid cooling block absorbs the heat losses of the IGBT devices and then transmits the heat to an external thermally coupled cooling system
Implementation Method 2
The liquid coolant may be distilled water mixed with ethylene glycol, or propylene glycol or other liquids having good thermal conduction
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid cooling static synchronous series compensator (SSSC) system with series connected inverter valve modules that have liquid cooling blocks is described. The inverter valve modules are operable to inject reactive power into a power transmission line. Inverter valve units are attached to liquid cooling blocks, where there is direct impingement of liquid coolant on an exposed portion of an inverter valve unit in an enclosed fluid chamber. Each liquid cooling block has voltage isolation relative to other liquid cooling blocks. Such voltage isolation may limit ionization of liquid coolant in an SSSC system operating in proximity to high voltages.