Superconducting Rotor Cooling with Active Circulation Under Tilt
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing cooling methods for superconducting rotating machines using the thermosiphon effect are inefficient, particularly in initial cooling times and require a higher placement of the condenser chamber, which can be problematic when the rotor is tilted or not in a horizontal state.
Innovation Solution
A superconducting rotating machine with a cooling apparatus that includes a condenser, a coolant circulating unit, and a forced circulating unit with a pump to actively circulate coolant, along with an external liquid coolant supply system, which can tilt-sensor controlled to ensure efficient cooling even when the rotor is not horizontal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If cooling is performed by the thermosiphon effect using natural circulation, then the cooling apparatus can be simplified without active pumping, but the initial cooling time becomes excessively long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by introducing an external liquid coolant supply system that actively supplies coolant to the rotor before the thermosiphon effect can effectively operate. This preliminary cooling action reduces the initial cooling time while the thermosiphon system remains as the primary cooling mechanism, thus not significantly increasing device complexity.
2Ease of operation
If the condenser chamber is placed at a higher position to enable thermosiphon effect, then natural circulation of coolant is enabled, but the system cannot function properly when the rotor is tilted or not horizontal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the coolant supply system adaptable to different rotor orientations. The external liquid coolant supply can actively deliver coolant regardless of the rotor's tilt angle, and the system includes provisions to maintain proper coolant flow and circulation even when gravity-based thermosiphon effect is compromised by non-horizontal positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary active coolant supply mechanism that bridges the gap between the condenser chamber and the rotor cooling channels when the rotor is tilted. This intermediary system ensures continuous coolant delivery and circulation even when the natural thermosiphon circulation is insufficient due to non-horizontal rotor positioning.
3Loss of time
If active coolant circulation is introduced using a pump, then initial cooling time is reduced, but the device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by using active coolant circulation only during the initial cooling phase or when needed (such as during startup or when rapid cooling is required). The system can switch between active pumping and passive thermosiphon circulation, thus reducing initial cooling time without permanently increasing device complexity or energy consumption during normal 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
This configuration significantly reduces initial cooling times and ensures efficient coolant circulation in non-level states by actively supplying and circulating coolant, improving overall cooling efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a condenser configured to condense a gas coolant supplied through a gas coolant supplying pipe to generate a condensed coolant
Implementation Method 2
The coolant in the central cavity is thermally coupled to the superconductive coil as well as the coil supporter, so that the coolant is evaporated by absorbing heat
Implementation Method 3
The coolant is circulated in the line system due to the thermosiphon effect. The coolant condensed in the condenser chamber flows into the central cavity through the coolant line members
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a superconducting rotating machine which improves the cooling efficiency of a rotor by using schemes of passively or actively circulating a coolant and a cooling method thereof. The superconducting rotating machine includes a rotor supported rotatably about a rotation axis and including: at least one superconductive coil; and a central cavity; and a cooling apparatus disposed at an exterior of the rotor and configured to communicate with the cavity, wherein the cooling apparatus includes: a condenser configured to condense a gas coolant supplied through a gas coolant supplying pipe to generate a condensed coolant; a coolant circulating unit configured to supply the condensed coolant into the cavity, configured to recover a vapor coolant evaporated in the cavity into the condenser and configured to circulate the condensed coolant; and a forced circulating unit configured to actively circulate the condensed coolant into the cavity in response to the rotor being tilted.