Superconducting Generator Coil Cooling Layout for Lower Eddy Currents
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing generator cooling systems face issues with increased mechanical connections leading to potential failure, higher manufacturing costs, and increased thermal load due to eddy currents, which reduce cooling efficiency and overall system reliability.
Innovation Solution
A cooling system design with reduced mechanical connections featuring an inlet and outlet manifold with passageways between adjacent conducting coils, utilizing non-conductive materials and flexible connectors to minimize conductive potential and eddy current effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If traditional cooling systems use multiple mechanical connections to cool conducting coils, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but system reliability deteriorates due to increased failure points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate cooling connections into a single integrated cooling conduit that services multiple conducting coils. This merging approach maintains adequate cooling effectiveness while reducing the total number of mechanical connections, thereby improving system reliability by eliminating potential failure points.
2Temperature
If traditional cooling systems use multiple mechanical connections, then cooling coverage is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple cooling functions into a single manifold structure that distributes coolant to multiple conducting coils through one primary connection point. This reduces the number of mechanical connections required, simplifying manufacturing and reducing production costs while maintaining comprehensive cooling coverage.
3Temperature
If cooling system is placed in proximity to conducting coils, then cooling efficiency is improved, but thermal load increases due to eddy currents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces non-conductive cooling conduits as intermediaries between the magnetic field environment and the cooling system. These non-conductive materials prevent eddy current formation while maintaining thermal contact with conducting coils, thereby reducing parasitic thermal load from eddy currents while preserving cooling efficiency.
4Strength
If cooling system uses conductive materials, then structural strength is improved, but electrical conductivity increases leading to higher resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material construction for cooling system components, combining structural support elements with non-conductive cooling conduits. This allows the system to maintain necessary mechanical strength while the non-conductive portions prevent eddy current paths, reducing electrical resistance and associated thermal losses.
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 reduces mechanical connections, lowers manufacturing costs, and enhances cooling system reliability by minimizing thermal load and electrical conductivity, thereby maintaining efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling system, comprising: an inlet manifold for providing a cooling fluid to the electrical machine; an outlet manifold for removing the cooling fluid from the electrical machine
Implementation Method 2
This may occur when magnetic flux passes through the cooling system and leads to the generation of eddy currents within the cooling system. These eddy currents may cause the cooling system to conduct the current along the cooling system.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical machine includes a shaft, a carrier structure arranged circumferentially around the shaft and defining a circumferential surface, a plurality of conducting coils secured to the carrier structure, and a cooling system. The cooling system includes an inlet manifold for providing a cooling fluid to the electrical machine, an outlet manifold for removing the cooling fluid from the electrical machine, and at least one passageway in fluid communication with the inlet manifold and the outlet manifold. The at least one passageway is arranged between two adjacent conducting coils of the plurality of conducting coils. The at least one passageway defines an inlet portion including a fluid inlet in fluid communication with the inlet manifold, an outlet portion including a fluid outlet in fluid communication with the outlet manifold, and a return portion arranged between the inlet portion and the outlet portion. The return portion defines a length such that the inlet portion and the outlet portion are arranged in contact with each other along respective lengths of the inlet and outlet portions so that a conductive potential of the at least one passageway is reduced.