Hybrid Engine-Generator Water Cooling for Low-Weight Drones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling systems for reciprocating engines and generators in drones are inefficient and cumbersome, with water-cooling methods being more effective but complex and heavy, while air-cooling methods are less efficient for generators.
Innovation Solution
An integrated hybrid power apparatus that combines a water-cooling reciprocating engine and generator, featuring a water-cooling system with a cooling fin and water jacket to circulate coolant, reducing size, weight, and vibration, and allowing the generator rotor to function as a flywheel for stable operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If water-cooling method is used for reciprocating engine, then cooling efficiency is improved, but system complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cooling systems of the reciprocating engine and generator into a single integrated water-cooling system. The coolant flows through both the engine water jacket and generator water jacket, combining two separate cooling systems into one unified system, thereby reducing overall complexity while maintaining effective cooling for both components.
Solution Approach 2:
The water-cooling system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it cools the reciprocating engine through the engine water jacket and cools the generator through the generator water jacket. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate cooling systems, reducing weight and complexity while improving overall cooling efficiency.
2Device complexity
If air-cooling method is used for generator, then system simplicity is improved, but cooling efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies water-cooling to the generator by integrating it with the engine's water-cooling system. The generator water jacket receives coolant from the engine water jacket, allowing efficient heat removal from the generator without requiring a separate air-cooling system, thus maintaining simplicity while improving cooling efficiency.
3Temperature
If separate cooling systems are used for engine and generator, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but weight and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the engine cooling system and generator cooling system into a single integrated water-cooling system. The coolant circulates through both the engine water jacket and generator water jacket, allowing effective cooling of both components while sharing common cooling infrastructure, thereby reducing overall system weight and size.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated water-cooling system performs multiple cooling functions simultaneously for both the reciprocating engine and generator. This multi-functional design eliminates redundant components and reduces overall system weight while maintaining effective cooling for both heat-generating components.
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 integrated system simplifies the engine-generator driving system, enhances cooling efficiency, reduces weight and vibration, and enables stable operation by utilizing an integral water-cooling system that minimizes cooling losses and improves overall performance.
Implementation Method 1
a cooler configured to cool the generator and the engine. The cooler may perform water-cooling that allows a coolant to circulate in the generator and the engine
Implementation Method 2
a cooling fin protruding to an inner side of the stator; and a generator water jacket configured to surround the cooling fin on the inner side of the stator and form a coolant flow path inside
Data Source
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AI summary
An integrated hybrid power apparatus provided in a flying body includes a generator including a stator and a rotor, at least one engine disposed adjacent to the generator and including a cylinder, and a cooler configured to cool the generator and the engine and perform water-cooling that allows a coolant to circulate in the generator and the engine.