Superconducting Cable Cooling Layout With External Return Pipes
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Solution Overview
Problem
The number of cooling stations in superconducting power cable installations is influenced by the distance required for efficient cooling, leading to increased material usage and environmental impact.
Innovation Solution
A superconducting power cable system with a configuration where cooling fluid flows in opposite directions between two cooling stations, utilizing an access pipe assembly and external return pipe structure to extend the distance between stations, allowing for fewer cooling stations and relaxed cooling fluid requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If cooling stations are arranged at maximum distance to enable efficient cooling, then the number of cooling stations is reduced, but the cooling fluid temperature and pressure requirements become stricter
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into two independent cooling loops, each extending from a cooling station to the access pipe assembly. This segmentation allows each loop to be optimized independently, with cooling fluid requirements only needing to be fulfilled from the cooling station to the access pipe assembly, enabling longer distances between cooling stations while maintaining reliable cooling conditions in each segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The access pipe assembly acts as an intermediary component that extracts cooling fluid from the cryostat at a location between the two cooling stations. This intermediary structure enables the cooling fluid to be taken out at an intermediate point, allowing the distance between cooling stations to be substantially extended while maintaining proper cooling fluid temperature and pressure through the external return pipe structure.
2Reliability
If more cooling stations are installed along the length of the superconducting power cable, then cooling efficiency is improved, but material usage and installation work increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention moves the return pipe structure from inside the superconducting power cable to an external location. This dimensional change allows the cooling fluid to return to cooling stations through external pipes rather than internal pathways, substantially extending the distance between cooling stations and reducing the number of cooling stations required while maintaining cooling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The access pipe assembly serves multiple functions: it extracts cooling fluid from the cryostat, provides a connection point for external return pipes, and enables the cooling system to operate with fewer cooling stations. This multi-functional component reduces overall system complexity while maintaining effective cooling.
3Length of stationary object
If cooling fluid is directed back to cooling stations inside the superconducting power cable, then the system is compact, but the distance between cooling stations must be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The return pipe structure is extracted from the internal configuration of the superconducting power cable and relocated to an external position. This extraction allows the cooling fluid to return to cooling stations through external pathways, enabling substantially longer distances between cooling stations while simplifying the overall system configuration by separating the return path from the cable structure.
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
This configuration enables doubling the distance between cooling stations, reducing the number of required installations and minimizing environmental impact while maintaining effective cooling.
Implementation Method 1
Liquid coolant such as liquid nitrogen flows inside the inner cryostat tube for cooling the superconducting material to a cryogenic temperature
Implementation Method 2
Superconducting power cables use superconducting material as conductor
Data Source
AI summary
A superconducting power cable system, including: a superconducting power cable including a cryostat, a first cooling station, a second cooling station, wherein the superconducting power cable extends between the first cooling station and the second cooling station, wherein the first cooling station is configured to pump cooling fluid into the cryostat in a first direction towards the second cooling station and the second cooling station is configured to pump cooling fluid into the cryostat in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, towards the first cooling station, an access pipe assembly arranged between the first cooling station and the second cooling station, the access pipe assembly extending into the cryostat for tapping cooling fluid flowing from the first cooling station and the second cooling station from the cryostat, and a return pipe structure arranged externally to the superconducting power cable, the return pipe structure connecting the access pipe assembly to the first cooling station and to the second cooling station, and providing a respective return cooling fluid line from the cryostat through the access pipe assembly to the first cooling station and to the second cooling station.