Power Conversion Facility Cooling With State-Based Fluid Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical energy conversion installations, particularly those with power electronic devices, face inefficiencies in thermal management due to high energy consumption and maintenance issues with heating resistors and air conditioning, and incompatibility of heat transfer fluids with equipment proximity.
Innovation Solution
A method and installation that dynamically route a heat transfer fluid based on the operating state of power electronics and thermal environment, utilizing multiple pathways to efficiently dissipate thermal energy, including recirculation in low thermal states, to optimize energy efficiency and reduce energy losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If heating resistors or air conditioning are used to maintain temperature, then temperature control is achieved, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the heat naturally generated by power electronic devices during operation to maintain acceptable temperature levels in the enclosure, eliminating or reducing the need for external heating resistors or air conditioning systems. The thermal energy that would otherwise be wasted is put to useful effect, making the system self-sufficient for temperature maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts temperature setpoints and heating/cooling activation thresholds based on operational conditions. Temperature thresholds for activating heating resistors or air conditioning are modified according to the thermal state and operational mode, optimizing energy consumption while maintaining equipment safety.
2Temperature
If air conditioning is used to dissipate heat, then temperature control is improved, but reliability decreases and maintenance problems increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system prioritizes passive thermal management using naturally generated heat and passive dissipation pathways, reducing dependence on complex active cooling systems like air conditioning that require maintenance and can fail. This self-service approach improves reliability by minimizing the number of active temperature control components.
3Loss of energy
If heat transfer fluid is used to capture and evacuate heat, then thermal management efficiency improves, but device complexity increases due to fluid network requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and removes the complex fluid network from the immediate vicinity of electrical equipment. Heat transfer is achieved through strategically positioned openings and natural convection pathways that eliminate the need for complex pumped fluid systems near sensitive electrical components, simplifying the overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses air as an intermediary heat transfer medium instead of complex liquid coolant systems. Heat is transferred from equipment through controlled air flows and natural convection, providing effective thermal management without requiring intricate fluid networks, pumps, or heat exchangers in close proximity to electrical equipment.
4Loss of energy
If forced ventilation is used to evacuate heat, then heat dissipation improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic or intermittent forced ventilation only when necessary, rather than continuous operation. Natural convection and passive thermal pathways handle heat dissipation during normal conditions, with forced ventilation activated periodically or on-demand based on thermal conditions, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining effective heat dissipation capability.
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 solution effectively manages thermal energy across varying environmental conditions, minimizing energy losses and improving energy efficiency by adapting heat transfer fluid pathways according to the operational state and thermal environment of power electronics devices.
Implementation Method 1
a first routing of the heat transfer fluid is implemented, making it possible to dissipate thermal energy from the voltage converter outside the enclosure
Implementation Method 2
a heat transfer fluid to capture the calories as close as possible to the static switches, and evacuate them
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The method involves implementing heat transfer fluid paths according to operating state of a power electronic device (2) and/or depending on thermal environment. Working and standby states are distinguished in the operating state. High thermal state and low thermal state are distinguished in the environment. One of the paths is implemented to dissipate thermal energy from a voltage converter (7) e.g. medium to low voltage converter, to outside of a chamber (30) of an electric energy conversion facility (1) when the device is in running state and/or when the thermal state is high. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) an electric energy conversion facility (2) a computer program comprising a computer program code unit to perform a method for operating an electric energy conversion facility.