Slip Ring Recess Structure for Fanless Cooling in Wind Turbines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing slip ring units for large electric machines, particularly in wind turbines, face inefficiencies in cooling due to intense thermal loads from high electrical energy transmission, with conventional cooling methods being insufficient or bulky.
Innovation Solution
A slip ring design featuring tangentially recessed contact regions with radially extending airflow pathways, utilizing additional surfaces and strategically positioned openings to enhance cooling, allowing for improved airflow and reduced size and weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional cooling methods are used for slip ring units, then cooling capability is provided, but device complexity and size increase considerably
Solution Approach 1:
The slip ring unit utilizes its own rotational movement to generate cooling airflow through the recesses and openings, eliminating the need for external fans or forced ventilation systems. The rotation of the slip ring itself creates the necessary airflow for cooling the contact regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces tangential recesses with radial airflow pathways, creating a three-dimensional cooling structure that utilizes multiple spatial dimensions. The airflow moves from axial openings through tangential recesses to radial outlets, utilizing dimensional transitions to enhance cooling efficiency without adding external components.
2Temperature
If additional cooling systems such as fans are added, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but the size of the slip ring unit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The slip ring unit utilizes its own rotational movement to generate cooling airflow through the recesses and openings, eliminating the need for external fans or forced ventilation systems. The rotation of the slip ring itself creates the necessary airflow for cooling the contact regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling function is merged into the structural design of the slip ring unit itself. The recesses and openings are integrated into the contact regions, combining the structural elements with the cooling function, thereby eliminating the need for separate cooling components.
3Temperature
If cooling ducts are added to the slip ring, then cooling is provided, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling function is merged into the structural design of the slip ring unit itself. The recesses and openings are integrated into the contact regions, combining the structural elements with the cooling function, thereby eliminating the need for separate cooling components.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces tangential recesses with radial airflow pathways, creating a three-dimensional cooling structure that utilizes multiple spatial dimensions. The airflow moves from axial openings through tangential recesses to radial outlets, utilizing dimensional transitions to enhance cooling efficiency without adding external 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
The design effectively cools slip ring elements, enabling a more compact and lightweight slip ring unit capable of transmitting high electrical powers without the need for additional cooling systems, such as fans, while maintaining efficient power transmission.
Implementation Method 1
the recess can contribute to the generation of an airflow that extends radially
Implementation Method 2
The airflow that extends radially is used to cool slip ring elements
Data Source
AI summary
A slip ring, in particular for use in a wind turbine, includes an axle extending in an axial direction and a contact region having a contact surface on a peripheral surface of the contact region and a recess extending in a tangential circumferential direction along the peripheral surface. The contact region includes an axial end face formed with an opening which communicates with the recess. The contact region includes three essentially cylindrical segments which define two covering segments and an intermediate segment arranged in a center between the two covering segment. Each of the two covering segments defines a radius which is larger than a radius of the intermediate segment so that a peripheral surface of the intermediate segment forms an underside of the recess. An insulating region is arranged adjacent to the contact region on the axle.