Electromotive Sail Drive Oil Circulation for Motor Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electromotive sail drives face challenges in cooling electromotive motors efficiently and cost-effectively, as traditional heat exchangers are expensive and complex.
Innovation Solution
An electromotive sail drive system that includes an electromotive motor, a drive unit, and a pump to circulate lubricant oil within the drive unit, utilizing the oil to cool the motor and reduce heat generation, thereby eliminating the need for a dedicated cooling mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a heat exchanger is used as a cooling mechanism for the electromotive motor, then the cooling effectiveness is improved, but the cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the lubrication function and cooling function into a single integrated system. The lubricant oil that is already present in the drive unit for lubricating gears and bearings is circulated through the electromotive motor to provide cooling, eliminating the need for a separate cooling system with dedicated coolant and heat exchanger components.
Solution Approach 2:
The lubricant oil serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides lubrication for the mechanical components in the drive unit and acts as a coolant for the electromotive motor. This multi-functional approach reduces the number of separate systems needed and simplifies the overall device configuration.
2Reliability
If a dedicated cooling system is implemented for the electromotive motor, then the motor can operate stably for long periods, but the system becomes more expensive and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses its own lubricant oil to cool the electromotive motor, rather than requiring an external or dedicated cooling system. The lubricant oil is already present in the system for its primary lubrication function, and the patent leverages this existing resource to simultaneously provide cooling, making the system self-sufficient.
3Temperature
If traditional cooling mechanisms are used for the electromotive motor, then adequate cooling is achieved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the lubrication function and cooling function into a single integrated system. The lubricant oil that is already present in the drive unit for lubricating gears and bearings is circulated through the electromotive motor to provide cooling, eliminating the need for a separate cooling system with dedicated coolant and heat exchanger components.
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 stable long-term operation of the electromotive motor with a simple and cost-effective cooling solution, using lubricant oil as both a lubricant and coolant, reducing the need for expensive heat exchangers.
Implementation Method 1
a pump that circulates, via the electromotive motor, a lubricant oil inside the drive unit
Data Source
AI summary
An electromotive sail drive includes an electromotive motor, a drive unit that is driven by the electromotive motor, and a pump that circulates, via the electromotive motor, a lubricant oil inside the drive unit.