Heat Pipe Cooling for Medium-Voltage Circuit Breakers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling solutions for medium voltage circuit breakers and disconnectors, such as those using fans or increased cross-sections, face challenges like high energy consumption, noise, bulkiness, and the need for auxiliary systems, which are not efficient in managing high amperage currents effectively.
Innovation Solution
A cooling device utilizing evaporators with phase-change heat transfer fluid surrounded by a double-walled structure, where condensers are placed above a protective sheath and insulated from the duct roof and cabinet, utilizing natural or forced convection to efficiently evacuate heat without the need for additional insulation or energy-consuming fans.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If natural or forced convection of air is used for cooling, then heat evacuation is achieved, but electrical energy consumption increases and auxiliary devices are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical cooling system (fans, forced convection devices) with a thermal conduction-based heat pipe system. The heat pipes conduct heat directly from the circuit breaker components to the evaporators, eliminating the need for mechanical air movement and associated electrical energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat pipe system operates passively using the temperature difference between the hot circuit breaker components and the ambient environment. The phase change material in the heat pipes automatically absorbs and transports heat without requiring external energy input or control systems.
2Productivity
If increased cross-section of transmission elements is provided, then current capacity increases, but device size and bulk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the thermal management parameters by introducing heat pipes with phase change materials, which dramatically improve heat evacuation efficiency. This allows the same current capacity to be achieved with smaller cross-sections, as the heat generated by high current flow is more effectively removed.
3Temperature
If evaporators and condensers are placed in electrical contact with the medium-voltage device, then heat evacuation efficiency improves, but insulation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cooling system with the existing electrical insulation structure of the medium-voltage device. The evaporators are integrated into the housing or mounting structure that already provides electrical insulation, and the condensers are positioned to utilize existing insulating barriers, thereby minimizing additional insulation complexity.
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 effectively manages high temperatures without energy consumption or the need for additional insulation, providing efficient heat evacuation and reducing the complexity of installation, thus enhancing the capacity to handle high amperage currents without the drawbacks of traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
evaporators using elements operating with a phase-change heat transfer fluid
Implementation Method 2
evaporators... being placed around the casing of the apparatus
Implementation Method 3
utilizing natural or forced convection to efficiently evacuate heat
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The cooling device consumes only very little energy and does not require the design of an electrically insulated cooling system. It consists mainly of an evaporator (11) operating with a phase-change heat-transfer fluid, surrounding a high-voltage electrical apparatus (10) connected to one or more condensers (21) placed on the top of the jacket (15) in which the electrical apparatus (10) is placed. The condensers are supported at this point by insulating elements which are, inter alia, partitions (24) that are lateral with respect to the box (20) placed above the jacket (15) and/or a central portion (17) of the top (16) of this jacket (15). Application to medium-voltage generator circuit breakers.