Parallel Cryogenic Cooling Lines for Superconducting Powertrains
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cryogenic and superconducting powertrain cooling architectures for aeronautical applications face challenges due to insufficient cooling capacity, weight, and efficiency issues with ground-based cryo-coolers, and liquid hydrogen use is limited and unsafe for direct electrical component cooling.
Innovation Solution
A cooling architecture utilizing liquid hydrogen and gaseous helium loops to manage temperature and cooling requirements of powertrain components, with separate cooling lines for each component and a heat exchanger to optimize hydrogen use and maintain component efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If ground-based cryo-coolers are used for aeronautical applications, then cooling capacity is sufficient, but weight and efficiency become problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into multiple independent cooling lines (first cooling line for motor, second cooling line for DC cables, third cooling line for power supply lines, fourth cooling line for control units) that can be independently controlled and optimized, allowing each segment to be sized appropriately for its specific cooling requirements rather than using a single oversized ground-based cryo-cooler
Solution Approach 2:
Liquid hydrogen serves as an intermediary cooling medium between the fuel cell system and the electrical components. The hydrogen is transferred from the fuel cell tank to the cooling lines, where it absorbs heat from electrical components and returns to the fuel cell system, effectively mediating the thermal management without requiring direct connection to heavy ground-based coolers
2Use of energy by moving object
If liquid hydrogen is used for direct cooling of electrical components, then cooling efficiency is high, but safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses liquid hydrogen as an intermediary cooling agent that is transferred from the fuel cell tank through dedicated cooling lines to electrical components. This intermediary approach allows efficient heat transfer while maintaining safety through controlled hydrogen flow and proper system design, avoiding direct contact between hydrogen and electrical components
Solution Approach 2:
The fuel cell system itself provides the cooling function by using its own liquid hydrogen supply as the cooling medium. The hydrogen that would otherwise be consumed for power generation is alternatively or concurrently used for cooling electrical components, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for separate cooling systems
3Device complexity
If all components are cooled to the same temperature, then cooling system is simple, but component-specific temperature requirements are not met
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is divided into separate cooling lines for different components: first cooling line for the motor, second cooling line for DC cables, third cooling line for power supply lines, and fourth cooling line for control units. This segmentation allows each component to be cooled to its specific required temperature independently
Solution Approach 2:
Each cooling line is optimized for its specific component's thermal requirements. The system applies different cooling strategies and temperature targets to different locations based on each component's maximum permissible temperature and cooling needs, rather than applying a uniform cooling approach
4Quantity of substance
If liquid hydrogen storage is increased to meet cooling demands, then cooling capacity is sufficient, but fuel cell system requirements are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel cell system uses its own liquid hydrogen supply as the cooling medium, transferring hydrogen from the fuel cell tank to the cooling lines. This self-service approach allows the system to meet cooling demands without requiring additional hydrogen storage capacity, as the same hydrogen serves dual purposes or is efficiently reused
Solution Approach 2:
Liquid hydrogen serves multiple functions: it is both the fuel for power generation and the cooling medium for electrical components. This multi-functionality allows the system to satisfy both power generation and cooling requirements without increasing hydrogen storage capacity, as the same resource fulfills multiple roles
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
Ensures all powertrain components operate within permissible temperature limits, enhancing efficiency and reliability by segregating cooling flows and optimizing hydrogen use, reducing reliance on heavy DC/DC converters.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger (36) configured to exchange heat between the first fluid and a second fluid
Implementation Method 2
a tank of a first fluid (32) for storing this fluid at cryogenic temperature
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The present invention relates to a cryogenic and superconducting powertrain comprising at least one superconducting electric motor (12) and a cooling architecture including a heat exchanger (36) configured to exchange heat between a first fluid and a second fluid, the second fluid following at least one cooling loop (102) of components (12, 14, 20, 24) starting with the motor, the cooling loop (102) comprising two parallel cooling lines between the motor (12) and the exchanger (36): - a cooling line (102a) of control units; - a cooling line (102b) in series with the DCc cables (20) and current leads (24); the two lines (102a) and (102b) originating from the motor (12) and joining into a single line to the exchanger (36).