Free-Surface Liquid Capture for Rotating Machinery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid cooling systems for rotating machinery face challenges in efficiently transferring and recovering liquid between rotating and stationary members, particularly due to high static pressure induced by centrifugal force, which complicates the use of additional transfer tubes for recovery and can lead to liquid mist and backflow issues.

Innovation Solution

A free-surface liquid transfer apparatus with a stationary member featuring a main surface, landing surface, annular gap, and hollow torus cavity that slows and captures the liquid film from the rotating member, preventing backflow and mist, and includes overlapping drainage slots for efficient liquid collection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a transfer tube is employed at the rotating member shaft centerline for liquid delivery, then liquid delivery is achieved, but liquid recovery becomes difficult due to precluded additional transfer tubes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid deliveryVSAvoidliquid recovery system

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the liquid recovery function from the traditional transfer tube system and implements it through a free-surface liquid transfer mechanism using a liquid bridge between rotating and stationary members, eliminating the need for additional transfer tubes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

A liquid bridge acts as an intermediary mechanism between the rotating member and stationary member, enabling both liquid delivery and recovery without requiring separate transfer tubes by utilizing the liquid itself as the transfer medium

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Power

If liquid within the rotating member shaft is subjected to high static pressure induced by centrifugal force, then liquid delivery capability is improved, but liquid mist and backflow issues occur during recovery

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid delivery capabilityVSAvoidliquid mist and backflow

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention converts the harmful high static pressure and centrifugal forces that cause liquid mist and backflow into a beneficial mechanism by using the free-surface liquid transfer and liquid bridge to control liquid flow, where the pressure differential actually drives the liquid through the desired path without mist formation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the liquid flow regime from pressurized enclosed flow to free-surface open flow, altering the physical parameters of liquid transport to eliminate mist generation while maintaining delivery capability through the liquid bridge mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If traditional liquid cooling systems are used with internal passages, then liquid transfer is achieved, but rotational drag and heat load increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid transferVSAvoidrotational drag and heat load

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the internal passages from the rotating member, extracting the liquid transfer function to the free-surface mechanism at the interface between rotating and stationary members, thereby eliminating rotational drag caused by internal passages

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The liquid cooling system serves itself by using the liquid bridge and free-surface transfer mechanism that requires no additional power input, allowing liquid to transfer naturally through pressure differential and gravity without energy-consuming pumps or internal passage friction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

This solution enables efficient free-surface conveyance of liquid with minimal dispersal, eliminates the need for internal passages, and provides self-pumping capabilities, reducing rotational drag, heat load, and equipment temperature, especially beneficial for aerospace electric machinery by preventing air gap fouling.

Implementation Method 1

liquid within the rotating member shaft can exert relatively high static pressure induced by centrifugal force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 2

landing surface arranged around the main surface configured to receive and slow a continuous film of working fluid transferred from the rotating member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS9300190B2Free-surface liquid capture device for rotating machinery

Publication Date: 2016.03.29 HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORP

AI summary

A free-surface liquid transfer apparatus for rotating machinery includes a stationary member. The stationary member includes a main surface configured to align to a rotating member, a landing surface arranged around the main surface configured to receive and slow a continuous film of working fluid transferred from the rotating member, an annular gap arranged around the landing surface, and a hollow torus cavity arranged proximate the annular gap configured to receive the slowed continuous film of working fluid transmitted through the annular gap.