High Current Connector Thermal Management via Multipoint Contact

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Solution Overview

Problem

High current electrical cables in wind turbines experience overheating due to electrical resistance, leading to damage from inadequate heat dissipation and vibration, which results in broken strands and reduced performance.

Innovation Solution

A joint for electrical conductors featuring an assembly member, an adapting member with an irregular heat conductive structure, and an elastically deformable multipoint connection member, providing both thermal and electrical conductivity through direct contact and multiple connection points, allowing for efficient heat dissipation and secure electrical connectivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If cables are isolated in a hollow driving shaft to keep them in place, then cable positioning is improved, but heat dissipation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable positioningVSAvoidheat dissipation
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the isolating material from the hollow driving shaft, extracting the harmful element that prevented heat dissipation. The cables are then supported directly by the shaft structure or by dedicated support elements that do not impede thermal conduction, allowing heat to be conducted away from the cables while maintaining their positional stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a support structure as an intermediary between the cables and the shaft wall. This support structure provides mechanical positioning for the cables while being thermally conductive, allowing heat to pass through it. The intermediary resolves the conflict by providing both mechanical support and thermal conduction pathways.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If multiple connection points are provided between adapting member and assembly member, then electrical connectivity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connectivityVSAvoidconnection structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the connection interface into multiple discrete connection points distributed across the adapting member and assembly member surfaces. Instead of relying on a single contact point, multiple smaller contacts are segmented across the interface, providing redundant electrical pathways and improving reliability while keeping each individual connection simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from point-to-point wiring to a distributed surface contact arrangement. The multiple connection points are arranged in a two-dimensional pattern across the mating surfaces of the adapting member and assembly member, utilizing the surface area rather than relying on discrete wire connections, thereby improving electrical connectivity without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 joint ensures good electrical connectivity and effective thermal management, preventing overheating and strand damage by facilitating heat transfer and maintaining contact pressure, thus enhancing the reliability and performance of wind turbine generators.

Implementation Method 1

an elastically deformable multipoint connection member being arrangeable in the indentation between the assembly member and the adapting member to form a plurality of connection points with electrical conductivity between the adapting member and the assembly member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

both thermal and electrical conductivity is provided between the assembly member and the adapting member via direct contact between the assembly member and the adapting member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

an elastically deformable multipoint connection member being arrangeable in the indentation between the assembly member and the adapting member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS8283820B2High current connector
Publication Date: 2012.10.09 VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS AS
  • US8283820B2 patent drawing
  • US8283820B2 patent drawing
  • US8283820B2 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention provides a joint (1) for joining a first electrical conductor to a second electrical conductor. The joint comprises an assembly member (3), an adapting member (2), an indentation (5a), an elastically deformable multipoint connection member (4), and an assembly structure (7, 8, 5b, 9). The assembly member is electrically conductive and comprises at least a first seat (5) and has a fastening structure (5b) forming part of the assembly structure. The adapting member comprises a first portion being attachable to the first seat and a second portion being attachable to an end portion of the first electrical conductor. The first portion comprises a compliant structure forming part of the assembly structure and being cooperative with the fastening structure to facilitate fixing of the adapting member to the assembly member.