Heat Pipe Refrigerant Communication Path for Circuit Breaker Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
In circuit breakers, temperature differences between the inner conductor's branches can lead to unstable cooling due to uneven refrigerant distribution in heat pipes, causing inadequate cooling of the inner conductor.
Innovation Solution
A circuit breaker design incorporating flexible conductors, connection conductors, a heat pipe with an insulating hollow body, and a radiator, where the heat pipe is connected to the outer conductor and includes communication paths to balance refrigerant flow between sections, ensuring stable cooling of the inner conductor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a heat pipe is branched to be connected to two portions of the inner conductor, then the cooling coverage is improved, but temperature difference between the two portions increases due to uneven refrigerant distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (refrigerant communication path) that connects the two heat pipe branches, allowing refrigerant to flow between them. This mediator balances the refrigerant distribution between the two portions of the inner conductor, preventing temperature differences while maintaining the expanded cooling coverage provided by the branched configuration.
2Productivity
If refrigerant flows disproportionately through branch portions, then cooling efficiency at lower temperature side improves, but temperature difference increases and overall cooling stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism through the refrigerant communication path that connects the two heat pipe branches. When one branch has excessive refrigerant flow, the communication path allows refrigerant to flow back to the other branch, creating a self-regulating system that maintains balanced refrigerant distribution and stable temperature distribution across the inner conductor.
3Power
If heat pipe is drawn outside outer conductor for radiator placement, then heat dissipation capability is improved, but thermal insulation between heat pipe sections becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the heat pipe into distinct sections: portions inside the outer conductor and portions outside the outer conductor. This segmentation allows the radiator-equipped sections to be positioned outside for effective heat dissipation while maintaining thermal insulation between different functional zones, managing the complexity through structured division rather than a single monolithic structure.
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 design stabilizes the cooling of the inner conductor by balancing refrigerant distribution, reducing temperature differences and ensuring efficient heat exchange, thereby maintaining consistent cooling performance.
Implementation Method 1
The heat pipe is drawn to outside of the outer conductor and contains refrigerant. The radiator is provided on an outer circumference of a portion of the heat pipe which is drawn to outside of the outer conductor.
Implementation Method 2
The heat pipe is drawn to outside of the outer conductor and contains refrigerant
Implementation Method 3
The heat pipe includes an insulating hollow body located inside the outer conductor. A portion of the heat pipe on an outer conductor side and a portion of the heat pipe on an inner conductor side are insulated from each other by the insulating hollow body.
Implementation Method 4
The heat pipe has a plurality of sections each connecting a corresponding one of the plurality of connection conductors to the insulating hollow body. The heat pipe further includes a communication path connecting portions of the heat pipe to cause the plurality of sections to be in communication with each other.
Data Source
AI summary
A heat pipe includes an insulating hollow body located inside an outer conductor. The insulating hollow body insulates a portion of the heat pipe on an outer conductor side and a portion of the heat pipe on an inner conductor side from each other. The heat pipe has a plurality of sections each connecting a corresponding one of a plurality of connection conductors to the insulating hollow body. The heat pipe further includes a communication path connecting portions of the heat pipe to each other to cause the plurality of sections to be in communication with each other. Each of the portions is connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of connection conductors.