Internal Hull Chines Cooling System for Electric Boat
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional marine cooling systems for boats, especially those with battery-powered electric motors, face challenges such as the inability to cool components when the engine is not running and introduce additional drag and failure points with keel coolers, which are also susceptible to damage.
Innovation Solution
A closed cooling system is implemented within the hull of the boat, utilizing chine coolers that exchange thermal energy between a coolant flow and a fluid flow outside the hull, eliminating the need for seawater intake and reducing drag by avoiding external components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If traditional water cooling systems are used, then cooling function is provided, but additional drag and failure points are introduced due to keel coolers mounted outside the hull
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system extracts the heat exchanger from the external keel location and relocates it to an internal position within the hull. The heat exchanger is now positioned in a recess of the hull structure, eliminating external mounting and associated drag. This extraction resolves the contradiction by removing the harmful external components while preserving the essential cooling function through internal thermal exchange.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger is nested within a recess of the hull structure, specifically in a chine recess. This nesting allows the cooling system to be integrated into the hull's internal geometry rather than adding external attachments. The coolant passages are routed through the hull structure to connect the heat exchanger to the engine compartment, creating a compact integrated assembly that eliminates external drag.
2Temperature
If keel coolers are mounted outside the hull, then cooling is achieved, but the system becomes susceptible to damage from collision with submerged objects
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is extracted from the external keel location and repositioned inside the hull structure. This extraction removes the vulnerable external component that was previously exposed to collision damage. The internal positioning protects the heat exchanger from submerged objects while maintaining its cooling function through internal thermal exchange with the coolant.
Solution Approach 2:
The hull structure itself serves as protective cushioning for the heat exchanger. By nesting the heat exchanger within the hull's recess and routing coolant passages through the hull structure, the design provides built-in protection against collision damage before such damage can occur. The hull material and structure act as a protective barrier that prevents direct impact with submerged objects.
3Temperature
If seawater intake through the hull is used, then cooling is provided, but the system requires additional holes drilled through the hull introducing failure points
Solution Approach 1:
The hull structure serves multiple functions: it provides structural integrity, houses the heat exchanger in a recess, and routes coolant passages through its walls. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate seawater intake holes, as the existing hull structure and its coolant passages serve the cooling function. The hull becomes an integrated component of the cooling system rather than a separate structure requiring additional modifications.
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 provides continuous cooling for boat components, reduces maintenance, and enhances efficiency by eliminating the need for fresh water cooling pumps and large heat exchangers, while maintaining hydrodynamic performance.
Implementation Method 1
The cooler is configured for the exchange of thermal energy between a flow of coolant in the at least one cooler and a fluid flow outside of the hull via a hull wall positioned between the flow of coolant and the fluid flow
Implementation Method 2
a pump is configured to urge the flow of coolant along the at least one coolant loop
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling system for a boat includes at least one cooler located inside a hull of the boat and closed to the exterior of the hull. The cooler is configured for the exchange of thermal energy between a flow of coolant in the at least one cooler and a fluid flow outside of the hull via a hull wall positioned between the flow of coolant and the fluid flow. One or more coolant passages extend from the at least one cooler defining at least one coolant loop. The one or more coolant passages are configured to deliver the flow of coolant from the at least one cooler to one or more components located along the at least one coolant loop to cool the one or more components, and return the flow of coolant to the at least one cooler.