Thermally Insulated Guide Duct for Underwater Electrical Module Condensation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical modules immersed in water, particularly at depths greater than 500 meters, face challenges in maintaining a dry environment around electrical equipment due to unreliable active dehumidification systems and insufficient effectiveness of passive systems like silica gel beads.
Innovation Solution
Thermally insulating the guide duct from the sealed enclosure to reduce condensation risks, using thermal conduction insulators with low thermal conductivity to maintain a temperature difference between the guide duct and the enclosure, and incorporating a secondary cooling circuit with a primary fluid circulation system to manage humidity and condensation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the guide duct is thermally connected to the sealed enclosure using thermally conductive fins, then the cooling of the atmosphere is improved, but condensation forms on the guide duct and electrical equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the thermal management system into two separate functional zones: a thermally insulated guide duct for hot atmospheric flow and a thermally conductive sealed enclosure for condensation collection. This segmentation prevents the mixing of thermal functions that caused condensation in the prior art.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the thermal conduction function from the guide duct by removing the thermally conductive fins that connected it to the sealed enclosure in the prior art. The guide duct is now thermally isolated, allowing hot atmospheric flow without condensation, while the sealed enclosure separately handles condensation collection.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If active dehumidification systems are used to maintain a dry environment, then humidity control is improved, but reliability decreases at depths greater than 500 meters
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the waste heat from electrical equipment to naturally heat the guide duct and prevent condensation through thermal convection. The hot atmospheric flow rising through the insulated guide duct creates a self-sustaining thermal environment that passively prevents condensation without requiring external energy input or complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful waste heat generated by electrical equipment into a beneficial thermal resource. By channeling the hot atmospheric flow through the insulated guide duct, the waste heat actively prevents condensation and maintains a dry environment, turning a potential problem into a solution.
3Device complexity
If passive dehumidification systems like silica gel beads are used, then system complexity is reduced, but effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental thermal parameter of the guide duct from thermally conductive to thermally insulated. This parameter change transforms the dehumidification mechanism from chemical adsorption (silica gel) or active mechanical removal to passive thermal prevention, achieving high effectiveness with minimal 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
Effectively maintains a dry environment around electrical equipment, reducing condensation and extending the reliability and lifespan of the module by preventing heat transfer-induced cooling and condensation, while ensuring efficient heat dissipation and humidity control.
Implementation Method 1
the guide duct is thermally insulated from the sealed enclosure... the thermal conduction insulators having a thermal conductivity less than or equal to 1 W.m-1
Implementation Method 2
a heating system... intended to stop heating when the measurement falls below a predetermined threshold, and to heat in the opposite case
Implementation Method 3
the condensation drop prevention means comprise a thermal insulation layer extending over the part located vertically to the electrical equipment(s), and intended to prevent the formation of condensation on this part
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The module (100) has a sealed enclosure (104) immersed in water, and an electric equipment (106) e.g. electric power converter, arranged in the enclosure. A cooling circuit cools the electric equipment using fluid e.g. air or nitrogen. An exterior guiding duct (108) is formed with a lower opening (108A) arranged below an upper opening (108B) in utilization position of the electric module. A passage (119) connects the lower opening to the upper opening via the exterior guiding duct, where the guiding duct is thermally insulated from the sealed enclosure.