Ship Propeller Closed-Loop Cooling for Contamination-Free Heat Dissipation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ship propulsion apparatuses face heat management issues due to inadequate cooling systems, leading to performance degradation and potential damage from increased temperatures, and existing solutions either rely on external coolant sources that can introduce contamination or are not efficient in heat dissipation.
Innovation Solution
A closed fluid circulation system within the ship propulsion apparatus, where a pump-driven coolant circuit circulates through the power device and battery, utilizing a coolant passage in a supporting rod to dissipate heat externally without needing external coolant, thus preventing contamination and enhancing maintenance efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a closed fluid circulation system is used for cooling, then heat dissipation efficiency is improved and contamination is prevented, but device complexity increases due to the need for pump and coolant passages
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system merges multiple functions into integrated components: the supporting rod combines structural support with coolant passage integration, the housing integrates motor containment with cooling water inlet provisions, and the pump serves both propulsion and coolant circulation functions. This merging reduces the number of separate components while maintaining the closed circulation system's reliability benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
Components are designed with multi-functionality: the supporting rod provides both mechanical support and thermal conduction pathways; the housing serves as both motor enclosure and cooling water distribution structure; the pump delivers both propulsion force and coolant circulation. This universality achieves reliable cooling without proportionally increasing device complexity.
2Temperature
If external coolant is used for cooling, then heat dissipation is achieved, but contamination and blockages occur reducing system reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the harmful aspect of open cooling (external water contamination) while retaining the beneficial heat dissipation function. By taking out the connection to external water sources and using only internal recirculating coolant, the system maintains effective cooling through the closed circulation path while eliminating contamination and blockage problems.
Solution Approach 2:
The closed coolant circulation system creates an inert, controlled environment for heat transfer. The coolant circulates within a sealed system isolated from external contaminants, similar to how an inert atmosphere protects against contamination. This inert cooling environment prevents biological growth, sediment accumulation, and foreign object intrusion while maintaining thermal exchange effectiveness.
3Device complexity
If cooling passages are integrated into existing components, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Coolant passages are integrated into specific local regions of existing components rather than requiring complete redesign. The supporting rod receives coolant passages in its internal structure, the housing gets cooling water inlets at appropriate locations, and the pump incorporates circulation pathways. This localized integration adds manufacturing precision requirements only where needed while maintaining overall structural simplicity.
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 closed circulation cooling system effectively dissipates heat without external coolant, reducing maintenance costs and extending the service life of the apparatus by avoiding contamination and blockages, while ensuring efficient heat exchange.
Implementation Method 1
a pump-driven coolant circuit circulates through the power device and battery, utilizing a coolant passage in a supporting rod to dissipate heat externally
Implementation Method 2
ensuring efficient heat exchange
Data Source
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AI summary
A ship propulsion apparatus is provided. The ship propulsion apparatus includes a pump, and a coolant supply. The ship propulsion apparatus defines a fluid circuit. The fluid circuit circulates through the pump and the coolant supply. The ship propulsion apparatus, because of defining an interior fluid circuit, the coolant can circulate in the fluid circuit. Thus, the ship propulsion apparatus exchanges heat with an external environment, a performance of dissipating heat from the ship propulsion apparatus and inner components of the ship propulsion apparatus can be achieved.