Superconducting Cable Flow Path Design for Lower Coolant Pressure Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Superconducting cables with double pipes experience pressure loss due to turbulence caused by the uneven inner surface of corrugated pipes, leading to increased installation and manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A superconducting cable design featuring a corrugated pipe with a smooth heat insulating pipe inside and an outer flow passage, reducing turbulence and pressure loss by using polytetrafluoroethylene for the heat insulating material and stainless steel for the corrugated pipe, allowing for flexible installation and reduced coolant pressure requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a flexible corrugated pipe is used as the inner pipe to provide flexibility for cable installation, then the flexibility and ease of installation are improved, but the uneven inner surface causes turbulence in coolant flow resulting in increased pressure loss
Solution Approach 1:
The inner pipe is segmented into multiple sections with expansion and contraction capabilities. The corrugated structure is divided into repeating wave patterns that can flex independently, allowing the pipe to bend and adapt to installation requirements while maintaining a relatively smooth internal flow path for the coolant.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner pipe transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic flexible structure. The corrugated design allows the pipe to dynamically adjust its shape during installation and operation, absorbing thermal expansion and mechanical stress while preserving coolant flow characteristics through proper corrugation geometry.
2Ease of operation
If the corrugated pipe structure is used to achieve flexibility, then the flexibility is improved, but the manufacturing cost and installation cost increase due to required pressure resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The inner pipe employs composite material construction combining corrugated stainless steel outer layer for flexibility and strength with smooth plastic or polymer inner lining for low-friction coolant flow. This composite structure achieves both flexibility and pressure resistance without requiring expensive high-grade stainless steel throughout, reducing manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the inner pipe have different material properties optimized for their specific functions. The outer corrugated layer provides flexibility and structural strength where needed, while the inner smooth layer minimizes friction and pressure loss in the coolant flow path, creating local quality variations that reduce overall manufacturing cost.
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 enhances flexibility and reduces pressure loss, lowering installation and manufacturing costs while maintaining effective cooling efficiency for the superconductor.
Implementation Method 1
when the coolant flows through the inner pipe, due to the unevenness on the inner peripheral surface of the inner pipe, turbulence occurs in the coolant, which results in causing pressure loss of the coolant
Implementation Method 2
a first heat insulating pipe that is stored in the first corrugated pipe, has a smooth inner peripheral surface, and is made of a first heat insulating material
Implementation Method 3
a first flow passage through which a coolant for cooling the superconducting cable core flows
Data Source
AI summary
A superconducting cable (1) includes a superconducting cable core (2) and a corrugated pipe (21) storing the superconducting cable core (2). The superconducting cable core (2) has a corrugated pipe (11), a superconductor (12) provided on the outer peripheral side of the corrugated pipe (11), and a heat insulating pipe (23) stored in the corrugated pipe (11) and having a smooth inner peripheral surface. A coolant flows through a flow passage (FP1) formed in the heat insulating pipe (23) and then flows through a flow passage (FP2) formed between an outer peripheral surface of the corrugated pipe (11) and an inner peripheral surface of the corrugated pipe (21).