Subsea Closed Loop Cooling System for Electronics
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional subsea shell and tube heat exchangers are limited to cooling fluids only and are unsuitable for cooling electronics due to risks of scaling and clogging when using seawater as a cooling medium.
Innovation Solution
A subsea closed loop cooling system using glycol/water-based fluids at low pressure, which includes a centrifugal pump housed in an atmospheric canister, natural convection coolers, an accumulator, distribution piping, and heat sinks, allowing for the cooling of electronics while avoiding scaling and contamination issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If seawater is used as cooling medium in traditional subsea heat exchangers, then cooling capability is provided, but scaling and clogging risks occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a closed-loop cooling system with a coolant pump, coolant distribution manifold, and coolant return manifold that acts as an intermediary between the heat-generating equipment and the seawater. The coolant (glycol/water-based fluid) circulates through the closed loop, absorbing heat from electronics and transferring it to seawater through heat exchangers, thereby eliminating direct contact between seawater and electronic components while maintaining effective cooling
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the cooling medium from seawater to a controlled glycol/water-based coolant in a closed-loop system. This parameter change allows the use of anti-freeze and corrosion inhibitors to maintain optimal cooling properties without the scaling and clogging issues associated with direct seawater cooling, while the open-loop seawater system remains unchanged for heat rejection
2Temperature
If traditional shell and tube heat exchangers are used, then fluid cooling is achieved, but electronics cooling is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal cooling system that can cool both fluids and electronics through the same closed-loop infrastructure. The coolant pump and distribution manifold system can serve multiple heat-generating sources including electronic equipment and fluid streams, while the heat exchangers can reject heat from both sources to the seawater, providing multi-functional cooling capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate heat exchangers that allow electronics to be cooled indirectly through a coolant loop rather than requiring direct seawater contact. The coolant acts as an intermediary carrier that transfers heat from electronics to the seawater cooling system, enabling electronics cooling while protecting sensitive components from seawater exposure
3Stress or pressure
If cooling system components are rated for high pressure, then deep subsea operation is enabled, but component complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cooling system into pressure-containing and non-pressure-containing zones. The closed-loop coolant system components (pump, manifolds, heat sinks) operate at low pressure and are housed in pressure-protected compartments, while only the heat exchanger surfaces that contact seawater need to withstand high pressure. This segmentation allows most components to be simpler and less expensive while still enabling deep subsea operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the seawater itself as a pressure mediator and cooling medium for the heat exchangers, while the internal coolant loop operates at controlled low pressure. The heat exchangers serve as intermediaries that transfer heat between the low-pressure coolant and high-pressure seawater, allowing the majority of system components to be rated for low pressure while the system as a whole can operate at high ambient pressure
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 loop system effectively cools electronics by using a variety of fluids and maintaining independent operating pressures, eliminating scaling and contamination risks, and allowing for modular configuration of heat sinks and coolers.
Implementation Method 1
at least one electric coolant pump assembly in a dedicated sealed, gas filled, coolant pump housing... adapted to pump coolant at least through the at least one subsea cooler, the at least one heat sink and back to the at least one electric coolant pump assembly
Implementation Method 2
The at least one coolant volume compensation unit compensates for the variations in the volume of the fluid circuit and for variations of the volume of the fluid typically due to temperature fluctuations
Implementation Method 3
at least one subsea cooler... in the closed loop cooling circuit
Implementation Method 4
at least one heat sink in a dedicated sealed, gas filled, electronics housing... in the closed loop cooling circuit
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a closed loop subsea cooling system with a subsea cooler. A coolant pump assembly is located in a dedicated, sealed, gas filled, coolant pump housing in coolant fluid connection with the at least one subsea cooler. A heat sink in a dedicated sealed, gas filled, electronics housing is in coolant fluid connection with the subsea cooler. An accumulator is in coolant fluid connection with the subsea cooler, whereby the electric coolant pump is adapted to pump coolant through the at least one subsea cooler, the at least one heat sink and back to the at least one electric coolant pump assembly, forming a closed loop subsea cooling circuit.