Magnet-Driven Beam Cooling for Space-Limited Electrical Installations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling systems for electrical installations, particularly in gas-insulated switchgear compartments, face challenges due to spatial limitations and inefficiencies of passive and active cooling methods, leading to inadequate temperature management.
Innovation Solution
A passive cooling device using a beam oscillating in flexural modes driven by the interaction of a magnet with the magnetic field generated by an alternating electric current, without requiring a driving device, to enhance convection cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If passive cooling elements such as heat sinks or gas coolers are used, then the cooling system requires no maintenance or little maintenance, but the cooling efficiency is insufficient in some configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanical vibration by causing the beam to oscillate in its fundamental flexural mode, which drives the air mover to generate forced convection currents. This vibration-based approach actively enhances heat transfer from the electrical conductor, solving the insufficient cooling efficiency of passive elements while maintaining the reliability of having no moving parts requiring maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical cooling systems (fans, pumps) with a magnetically-driven beam oscillation system. The magnetic field generated by the electrical conductor itself interacts with the air mover to produce the necessary convection, eliminating the need for separate mechanical drive components while achieving active cooling效果.
2Temperature
If forced convection cooling by means of fans or other powered mechanical devices is used, then cooling efficiency is improved, but spatial limitations and construction constraints make it unavailable or ineffective in some configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cooling function with the existing electrical conductor by using the conductor's own magnetic field to drive the beam oscillation. The air mover is integrated into the cooling system without requiring separate power sources or complex mechanical drive trains, reducing spatial requirements while maintaining forced convection cooling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the electrical conductor's own magnetic field as the driving force for cooling, making the conductor serve dual purposes: electrical current transmission and cooling drive. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external motors or power sources, simplifying the device and reducing spatial constraints.
3Speed
If air movers with vibrating blades driven by electronic circuits are used, then local fluid acceleration is achieved, but the system becomes prone to failure and increases cost and technical complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the electronic driving circuit from the air mover system, eliminating the component that causes failures. Instead of using electronic circuits to drive the beam, the system uses the magnetic field from the electrical conductor itself, removing the failure-prone electronic control system while maintaining the ability to generate fluid acceleration through magnetic interaction.
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
Provides efficient and reliable cooling by enhancing natural convection without active components, suitable for various electrical installations including SF6-free gas-insulated switchgear.
Implementation Method 1
When a magnetic field generated by the alternating electric current interacts with the magnet, the magnet is configured for exerting an alternating torque onto the beam
Implementation Method 2
enhance natural convection without active components
Implementation Method 3
Passive cooling methods rely on heat transfer via natural convection of air and insulation gases, as well via thermal radiation
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A cooling device configured for cooling an electrical installation having an electrical conductor carrying an alternating electric current. The cooling device includes a clamp and a beam being fixedly installed in the clamp. An unsupported end of the beam extends from the clamp and is configured for being provided at a distance from the conductor. The cooling device further includes at least one magnet fixedly provided about the beam. The at least one magnet is located adjacent an n-th node of flexural vibration of the beam, n being an integer equal or larger than 2. When a magnetic field generated by the alternating electric current interacts with the magnet, the magnet is configured for exerting an alternating torque onto the beam. The alternating torque causes the beam to oscillate in the n-th flexural mode.