ISO Container Power Plant Module With Tilting Lateral Air Exhaust

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional modular generators require additional equipment for direct connection to energy distribution systems and have structural limitations that hinder space efficiency and transportation, making them complex and costly to install, especially in confined areas like oil rigs.

Innovation Solution

The electrical power plant module features 20-foot or 40-foot ISO maritime containers with tilting doors for superolateral expulsion of hot air and exhaust gases, allowing for the installation of larger generators and enabling stacking, which reduces the footprint and manufacturing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional modular generators are installed in containers, then electrical energy can be provided in remote areas, but additional equipment and structures are required for connection to the energy distribution system, increasing device complexity and installation cost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to energy distribution systemVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the generator set, cooling system, and energy distribution connection equipment into an integrated container module. The tilting door mechanism is integrated into the container structure itself, eliminating the need for separate external mounting structures and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining adaptability to energy distribution systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The container structure serves multiple functions: it provides structural housing, integrates the cooling system with tilting doors for hot air expulsion, and includes built-in connection equipment for the energy distribution system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate equipment and simplifies installation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Temperature

If conventional generator containers are designed with upper surface air outlets, then heat exchange can occur, but the containers cannot be stacked, reducing space efficiency and increasing footprint

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat exchange efficiencyVSAvoidfootprint
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions the air outlet orientation from the horizontal upper surface to the vertical lateral surface of the container. The tilting door mechanism on the lateral surface allows hot air to be expelled sideways, enabling containers to be stacked vertically without blocking air outlets, thus improving space efficiency while maintaining heat exchange functionality

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

Solution Approach 2:

The tilting door mechanism provides dynamic control over the air outlet orientation. The door can be tilted to different angles to optimize hot air expulsion while maintaining structural integrity for stacking, allowing adaptive heat exchange efficiency without compromising the stacking capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Power

If larger generator sets are installed in containers, then power output increases, but the container requires more internal space, limiting the ability to utilize standard container sizes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegenerator power outputVSAvoidcontainer internal space
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By changing the air outlet orientation to the lateral surface with tilting doors, the patent frees up internal container space that would otherwise be occupied by upper surface outlet structures. This allows larger generator sets to be installed within standard container dimensions, increasing power output without requiring oversized containers

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

This configuration allows for efficient temperature exchange and space utilization, enabling the creation of mini-power plants with reduced footprints and lower costs, facilitating easier installation and operation in remote or space-constrained areas.

Implementation Method 1

designed for the superolateral expulsion of hot air from the radiators of cooling units or other exhaust gases

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 2

angular gas conduit that continuously directs the gases toward the superolateral portion of the structural container

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3070819B1Electric powerplant module
Publication Date: 2019.12.11 ARUANA ENERGIA SA
  • EP3070819B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3070819B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3070819B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Construction device introduced into an electrical power plant module, more specifically relating to an electrical power plant module (1) of the type used for accessibility to electrical energy, primarily in remote areas such as isolated rural communities, mining camps, oil platforms, areas recently affected by storms, areas affected by earthquakes, offshore platforms, etc., or areas undergoing conflict; the said power plant module (1) is supplied in the form of enclosures or containers (2) of the ISO maritime type and includes a structural container (2A) having a flat base (2b) upon which are installed structural columns (C1) and crossmembers (T2) for the mounting of plates (cp) that form the peripheral walls (2C) and the upper wall (2D) of the container (2A), with the end walls (2C1) of the container (2A) providing at least one cut-out area (2c2) for the installation of a tilting door (3) designed for the superolateral expulsion of hot air (AR) from the radiator (R); the said tilting door (3) is installed in the respective cut-out area (2c2) by means of hinged closures (4) or other articulated and/or tilting closures, which closures (4) in turn are secured to the lower edge (3a) of the door (3) in such a way that when the door (3) is tilted outward from the container, with an angulation (α), it forms a gas conduit (CG) in order to direct the air (AR) toward the superolateral portion of the structural container (2A); the tilting doors (3) that are installed in the extreme lateral portions (2C1) of the container (2A) are arranged in the substations (SB) of the power plant module (1) in such a way that they are aligned longitudinally with corresponding cooling units (UR) that are located on the inside and at the end in relation to the transformer/distribution unit (UT).