Cooling control apparatus for superconducting fault current limiter
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing superconducting fault current limiters face issues with high power consumption, increased manufacturing costs due to expensive temperature sensors, and difficulty in maintaining pressure and temperature uniformity, as well as spatial and cost inefficiencies from cryogenic storage tanks.
Innovation Solution
A cooling control device that estimates the temperature of saturated liquid coolant by detecting internal pressure without direct temperature measurement, using a pressure sensor and control unit to regulate the freezer, and maintains pressure and temperature uniformity through circulation and condensation processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a temperature sensor is used to directly detect the temperature of the cooling bath, then the temperature control precision is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases and maintenance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pressure sensor as an intermediary device to indirectly measure the temperature of the cooling bath. Instead of placing a temperature sensor directly in the cryogenic environment, the system uses a pressure sensor located in a safer, more accessible location to detect pressure changes that correspond to temperature changes, thereby achieving accurate temperature measurement without the drawbacks of direct temperature sensing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the thermal measurement system (temperature sensor) with a mechanical measurement system (pressure sensor). By measuring the pressure of the cooling bath or its vapor phase, the system can infer temperature without requiring direct thermal contact, thus avoiding the cost and maintenance issues associated with cryogenic temperature sensors
2Temperature
If the freezer temperature is lowered to achieve sufficient cooling effect, then the cooling performance is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where the pressure sensor continuously monitors the cooling bath conditions and provides real-time data to the controller. The controller adjusts the freezer operation based on this feedback, ensuring the cooling bath reaches and maintains the required temperature without excessive cooling, thereby optimizing power consumption while achieving sufficient cooling performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial cooling action by using the pressure-based feedback control to activate the freezer only when and to the extent needed to achieve the required cooling effect. This avoids the excessive action of continuously operating the freezer at maximum capacity, reducing power consumption while maintaining adequate cooling
3Reliability
If a cryogenic storage tank is provided to store liquid nitrogen, then the liquid nitrogen supply is ensured, but the spatial occupancy and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the large-volume cryogenic storage tank from the system by implementing a closed-loop cooling control system that precisely manages the cooling bath temperature and minimizes liquid nitrogen consumption. The system maintains cooling effectiveness without requiring extensive nitrogen storage by optimizing the cooling process and reducing waste
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the cooling system by using pressure-based control to optimize temperature management. This approach improves cooling efficiency and reduces the amount of liquid nitrogen needed, thereby eliminating the requirement for large storage tanks while maintaining reliable operation
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
Reduces costs, simplifies maintenance, and ensures reliable operation by eliminating the need for expensive temperature sensors and improving pressure and temperature uniformity within the superconducting fault current limiter.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensor for detecting a pressure of a second container in which the saturated liquid coolant of the superconducting fault current limiter is accommodated
Implementation Method 2
a superconducting fault current limiter for cooling a saturated liquid coolant with a freezer to maintain a temperature of a subcooled liquid coolant in which a superconducting element is immersed
Implementation Method 3
a control unit for estimating a temperature of the saturated liquid coolant by using a result of detecting the pressure of the pressure sensor
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a cooling control device for a superconducting fault current limiter, the cooling control device comprising a superconducting fault current limiter for cooling a saturated liquid coolant with a freezer to maintain a temperature of a subcooled liquid coolant in which a superconducting element is immersed, a pressure sensor for detecting a pressure of a second container in which the saturated liquid coolant of the superconducting fault current limiter is accommodated, and a control unit for estimating a temperature of the saturated liquid coolant by using a result of detecting the pressure of the pressure sensor, and controlling a temperature of the freezer depending on the estimated temperature of the saturated liquid coolant.