Superconducting Generator Quench Protection via Energy Dump
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large superconducting wind turbine generators face significant downtime due to the lengthy process of cooling down after a quench, which can take weeks, necessitating a method to automatically de-energize and dump stored energy before a quench occurs.
Innovation Solution
An automatic ramp-down system for superconducting machines, including a control system that detects impending quench parameters and activates an energy dump circuit with heat dissipating loads mounted on the tower or nacelle to safely withdraw current from the superconductive coils, utilizing resistive loads or diode banks to manage energy dissipation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a quench protection system is implemented with traditional cooling methods, then the superconducting magnet is protected from damage, but the downtime extends to 3-4 weeks due to lengthy cooling requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the energy dumping function from the traditional passive cooling system by introducing an active energy dump circuit with external resistive loads. This circuit actively removes stored magnetic energy from the superconducting coils and dissipates it externally, separating the energy removal function from the passive thermal conduction cooling process, thereby dramatically reducing downtime from weeks to minutes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary energy dump circuit that acts as a mediator between the superconducting magnet and the external environment. This circuit includes resistive loads mounted outside the vacuum vessel that serve as an intermediate heat sink, allowing energy to be dumped externally rather than requiring internal cooling of the magnet system
2Loss of time
If manual ramp-down procedures are used to de-energize the magnet before quench, then downtime is reduced, but operational complexity and risk of human error increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service automatic control system that autonomously monitors magnet parameters, detects quench conditions, and activates the energy dump circuit without human intervention. The system self-manages the entire ramp-down process from detection to energy dissipation, eliminating manual operational complexity while maintaining reduced downtime
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback control by continuously monitoring magnet parameters such as temperature and current, and using this information to automatically trigger the energy dump circuit when quench conditions are detected. This closed-loop feedback system ensures timely activation of protection mechanisms while eliminating manual intervention requirements
3Volume of stationary object
If energy is dumped inside the vacuum vessel, then the system remains compact, but the cryocooler system becomes overwhelmed and cooling time extends to weeks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the energy dissipation location from inside the vacuum vessel to external locations outside the cryogenic environment. Resistive loads are mounted externally where heat can be dissipated to the ambient environment rather than being trapped inside the vacuum vessel, separating the energy dumping function from the cryogenic system volume constraints
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces external resistive loads as intermediary heat sink components mounted outside the vacuum vessel. These loads serve as an external heat dissipation pathway, mediating between the superconducting magnet's stored energy and the ambient environment, thereby avoiding overloading the internal cryocooler system
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 system reduces downtime from weeks to a few days by automatically initiating a controlled ramp-down and energy dump, leveraging the thermal mass of the tower and nacelle to dissipate heat effectively, thereby preventing cascading quench events.
Implementation Method 1
A 'ramping-down' process is implemented wherein current is withdrawn from the coils in a controlled manner and dumped as heat outside of the magnet vacuum vessel and cryocooler system
Implementation Method 2
The tower and nacelle provide a large thermal mass capable of acting as a thermal heat sink for dispersing heat from the loads
Data Source
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AI summary
A wind turbine power generating system and method includes a tower, a hub, a plurality of blades connected to the hub, and a rotor connected to the hub. A superconducting generator is coupled to the rotor and includes a plurality of superconductive coils. A nacelle is mounted atop the tower, with the superconducting generator housed within the nacelle. An automatic ramp-down system is configured with the superconducting coils and includes an automatically activated energy dump circuit for current withdrawn from the superconductive coils in a ramp-down process prior to a quench. The energy dump circuit includes one or more heat dissipating loads, wherein each of the heat dissipating loads is mounted in thermal communication with one of the tower or the nacelle that act a thermal heat sink for dispersing heat from the loads.