Multi-Port Inertial Energy Storage With HFE-Cooled Step-Up Transformer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pulsed power energy storage systems face limitations in power density due to low cooling efficiency and dielectric density, making them unsuitable for high-frequency megawatt-level applications like radar power systems, and existing transformer cooling fluids like fluoro-carbon fluids are not effective for such systems.
Innovation Solution
A multi-port inertial energy storage system using hydro-fluoro-ether (HFE) insulation and cooling, combined with advanced magnetic configurations and a converter-rectifier system, to achieve high power density and efficient energy transfer, including a synchronous modulator with counter-rotating machines and HFE insulated transformers for efficient cooling and power transformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional air or oil-cooled transformers are used for high voltage step-up, then the system structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the power density is limited due to low cooling efficiency and low dielectric density
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the cooling medium parameter from conventional air or oil to hydro-fluoro-ether (HFE) fluid, which has superior dielectric density and cooling efficiency. This parameter change enables the transformer to achieve higher power density while maintaining operational simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs HFE fluid as a composite cooling and insulating medium that combines both cooling and dielectric functions. This composite approach replaces separate cooling and insulation systems, increasing power density without significantly complicating the transformer structure
2Temperature
If fluoro-carbon fluids are used for transformer cooling, then some cooling effect is achieved, but the fluids are not suitable for pulsed power megawatt level systems including those operating at frequencies such as 20,000Hz
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from fluoro-carbon fluids to HFE fluids by changing the chemical and physical parameters of the cooling medium. HFE fluids have optimized properties including appropriate viscosity, dielectric strength, and thermal conductivity that make them suitable for high-frequency pulsed power operations up to 20,000Hz
3Device complexity
If conventional excitation schemes are used for the inertial storage module, then the system structure is simple, but the rate-of-rise of output voltage and power is significantly slower
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-charging capacitor banks and preparing the excitation system before the main power pulse is required. This allows the inertial storage module to achieve faster voltage rise rates when full power is needed, without requiring continuous complex control during normal operation
4Productivity
If the system operates at higher frequencies for faster repetition rates, then the productivity increases, but the component critical temperatures increase and lifetime decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the thermal management parameters by implementing HFE fluid cooling with optimized flow rates and heat exchanger designs. This enables the system to operate at higher frequencies with better heat dissipation, maintaining component temperatures within safe limits even at increased repetition rates
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
The system achieves higher power density, faster repetition rates, and efficient energy transfer, addressing the limitations of conventional systems by utilizing HFE for insulation and cooling, and advanced magnetic designs to manage high-frequency operations effectively.
Implementation Method 1
a converter configured to step-up an alternating current 'AC' voltage level of each of the energy storage devices and create an AC output voltage that is galvanically isolated from an input source
Implementation Method 2
a rectifier configured to rectify the AC output voltage to a direct current 'DC' voltage
Implementation Method 3
hydro-fluoro-ether (HFE) insulated/cooled transformer
Implementation Method 4
HFE fluids to be used profitably for insulating and cooling high voltage mega-watt rated power transformers
Implementation Method 5
a control system having excitation systems and configured to transfer control from a low response mode to a high response mode to change at least one of the excitation systems from a first response field exciter to a second response field exciter
Implementation Method 6
a heat exchanger/condenser configured to process the HFE vapor and liquid fluid
Implementation Method 7
an inertial flywheel, wherein the first and second drive motors are configured to power the inertial flywheel
Implementation Method 8
a first drive motor and a second drive motor connected in series and an inertial flywheel, wherein the first and second drive motors are configured to power the inertial flywheel
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A multi-port storage system (160) includes a dynamo-electric machine (EM) with integral rotor inertia forming a primary energy storage system. The dynamo-electric machine has a primary stator winding (W1, W2) configured to accept multiple AC input power sources, and has at least two secondary stator windings (S1, S2) configured to deliver electric power to multiple loads at different power, frequency and voltage levels. A secondary energy storage system (B1) is coupled to the primary energy storage system, and is configured to convert its stored energy to electric power. The dynamo-electric machine is configured to enhance and buffer the secondary energy storage system, and is configured to improve the conversion of the stored energy to electric power. The system may include a step-up transformer (100) responsively coupled to one of the secondary stator windings (SI). The step-up transformer may comprise a single phase or polyphase step-up transformer having internal cooling and electrical insulation between the secondary windings comprising a hydro-fluoro-ether (HFE) vapor and liquid fluid (106).