Subsea Cooling Block Module with Recessed Component Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing subsea cooling systems face inefficiencies in heat transfer between electronic or power components and seawater, particularly at high pressures, and require complex installations with accurate machining for cylindrical housings, which increases failure modes and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A subsea cooling assembly with a non-cylindrical pressure housing featuring recesses for direct mounting of components and a strength supporting structure to withstand pressure, combined with cooling ribs or pipes for enhanced heat transfer and stiffness, allowing easy installation and reduced thermal resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If passive cooling with cylindrical pressure housing and heat sinks is used, then heat transfer from components to seawater is achieved, but the system requires accurate machining of matching surfaces and complex installation procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling assembly is divided into a block module with recesses for components and a separate cover element. This segmentation allows the components to be mounted directly on the block module's mounting surface, eliminating the need for complex cylindrical housing assemblies and accurate machining of matching surfaces between multiple curved components.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of mounting components on external cylindrical heat sinks that require precise fitting to the housing, the invention inverts the approach by providing mounting surfaces and recesses directly on the block module itself. This allows components to be mounted directly to the cooling structure, reversing the traditional approach and simplifying installation.
2Reliability
If cylindrical pressure housing with heat sinks is used, then heat transfer occurs through heat conducting elements, but the heat transfer path becomes long and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the intermediate heat conducting elements from the heat transfer path. By providing mounting surfaces directly on the block module where components can be mounted, the design eliminates the need for separate heat sinks and thermal interface materials that create thermal resistance, creating a direct heat transfer path from components to seawater through the block module.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a cylindrical geometry with radial heat transfer to a block module geometry with direct contact mounting surfaces. This dimensional change allows for more efficient heat transfer paths and better utilization of the cooling surface area in contact with seawater.
3Ease of manufacture
If cylindrical housing with matching curvature surfaces is used, then heat sink installation is possible, but accurate machining is required for manufacturing
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring the housing to have precise curved surfaces to match heat sinks, the invention provides the mounting surfaces directly on the block module where components are mounted. This inverts the traditional approach, eliminating the need for accurate machining of matching surfaces between the housing and heat sinks.
4Reliability
If active cooling with circulated coolant fluid is used, then effective cooling is achieved, but system complexity and failure modes increase
Solution Approach 1:
The block module is designed to provide passive cooling by utilizing the natural thermal conduction through the module material and convection to surrounding seawater. The structure itself serves as the cooling mechanism, eliminating the need for active coolant circulation systems, pumps, and associated control systems, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining cooling effectiveness.
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 solution provides efficient heat transfer and structural integrity at high pressures, simplifying installation and reducing failure modes while maintaining effective cooling for subsea applications.
Implementation Method 1
for the transfer of heat between the electronics or power components and the surrounding sea through the block module
Implementation Method 2
passive cooling of subsea electronic components utilizing the surrounding seawater as a cooling medium, by heat conduction through the pressure shell, preferably cylindrical, and heat convection to ambient seawater
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Subsea cooling assembly comprising a block module for the accommodation of electronics or power components and a cover element. The block module is arranged with at least one recess wherein the electronics or power components is arranged in the at least one recess of the block module for the transfer heat between the electronics or power components and the surrounding sea through the block module. The cover element has outer rim portions arranged to fit with outer rim portions of the at least one recess for closing off the interior of the at least one recess. The block module has at least one strength supporting structure arranged to provide load support to at least a portion of the cover element which is distanced away from the outer rim portions of the cover element.