Slipring Active Cooling Module for High Current Heat Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sliprings face challenges in efficiently transferring high currents over extended periods due to heat-related issues, leading to increased wear, potential component failure, and degradation of electrical isolation, especially in limited space applications.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a cooling element, such as a Peltier element or heat pipe, within the slipring module to manage temperature, combined with a temperature controller for active or passive cooling, ensuring efficient heat dissipation and maintaining optimal operating conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If high current is transferred through the slipring, then current transfer capability is improved, but temperature increases leading to wear and component failure
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful heat generated during high current transfer is extracted from the slipring module using a cooling element. The cooling element is thermally coupled to the module to conduct heat away from the high-current path, preventing temperature rise that would otherwise lead to wear and component failure.
Solution Approach 2:
A cooling element acts as an intermediary thermal management component between the heat-generating slipring module and the environment. This intermediary conducts heat away from the module through thermal coupling, enabling sustained high current transfer without excessive temperature rise.
2Temperature
If cooling element is integrated into the slipring module, then temperature control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling element is merged with the slipring module by thermal coupling, combining thermal management functionality with the existing module structure. This integration approach improves temperature control while minimizing the increase in device complexity through unified design.
3Temperature
If active cooling is implemented, then temperature stability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is designed to operate passively or semi-passively, utilizing natural heat conduction and convection mechanisms. The cooling element thermally couples to the module and dissipates heat without requiring active cooling components, achieving temperature stability while minimizing energy consumption.
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
Enhances current transfer capabilities, reduces wear and contact noise, increases the lifespan of brushes, and prevents electrical isolation degradation by maintaining a stable temperature, thereby ensuring reliable operation even at elevated temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
The cooling element transfers heat from the slipring module to the environment
Implementation Method 2
The cooling element preferably is a Peltier element or a heat pipe
Implementation Method 3
The cooling element preferably is a Peltier element or a heat pipe
Implementation Method 4
The cooling element may further be connected to a heat sink for better heat dissipation to the environment
Implementation Method 5
The cooling element may further be connected to a heat sink for better heat dissipation to the environment
Data Source
AI summary
A slipring assembly comprises a slipring module having at least one slipring track, which is in electrical contact with at least one slipring brush. The slipring module comprises an isolating body holding the at least one slipring track. Furthermore a cooling element is embedded into or attached to the slipring module to remove heat from the slipring module and to increase the temperature of the at least one slipring track. This allows decreasing the temperature of the slipring module to increase the maximum transferable power and lifetime.