Thermal Lid Coupling in Rotating Shaft Electronics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Turbomachines face challenges in dissipating thermal energy from electronic components mounted on rotatable shafts, which are sealed and subject to thermal fatigue due to increasing data requirements and operational heat generation.

Innovation Solution

A system and method involving an annular carrier shaft with a transmitter assembly that includes a thermally conductive circuit board and a lid, where the lid is thermally coupled to the carrier shaft via centrifugal forces, allowing for conductive heat transfer from electronic components to the carrier shaft, effectively dissipating thermal energy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If electronic components are sealed within the carrier shaft to protect them, then reliability is improved, but thermal energy dissipation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of electronic componentsVSAvoidthermal energy dissipation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

A thermally conductive lid is introduced as an intermediary component between the electronic components and the carrier shaft. The lid serves as a thermal mediator that conducts heat away from the sealed electronic components to the rotating carrier shaft, enabling heat dissipation while maintaining the sealed protective environment of the electronics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The lid is designed with differentiated local properties: a thermally conductive outer surface for heat transfer to the carrier shaft, and a sealed inner surface that protects the electronic components. This local quality differentiation allows simultaneous achievement of protection and thermal management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If data requirements increase to enhance operational monitoring, then measurement precision is improved, but thermal energy generation worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational monitoring capabilityVSAvoidthermal energy generation

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The thermal energy generated by the electronic components as a byproduct of high-performance data processing is converted into a useful function. The same components that generate heat due to increased computational demands also serve as heat sources that drive the thermal conduction mechanism through the lid to the carrier shaft, transforming a harmful effect into a functional aspect of the design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 solution effectively dissipates thermal energy from electronic components, reducing the risk of thermal fatigue and enhancing the operational reliability of turbomachines by utilizing the carrier shaft's thermal conductivity to radiate heat away from the components.

Implementation Method 1

A strip of thermally conductive material is disposed along a top portion of the circuit board. A contact surface of the lid is in thermal communication with the thermally conductive material of the circuit board.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

At least a portion of a top surface of the lid is in thermal communication with the inner surface of the carrier shaft during rotation thereof

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 3

allowing for conductive heat transfer from electronic components to the carrier shaft, effectively dissipating thermal energy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS9320181B1System and method for dissipating thermal energy away from electronic components in a rotatable shaft

Publication Date: 2016.04.19 GE INFRASTRUCTURE TECH LLC

AI summary

A system for dissipating thermal energy from electronic components disposed within a rotatable shaft includes an annular carrier shaft having one end formed to couple to an end of a rotor shaft. The system also includes a transmitter assembly. The transmitter includes an outer casing, a daughter board and a circuit board electronically coupled to the daughter board within an inner pocket of the transmitter housing. The circuit board comprises a strip of thermally conductive material. The transmitter assembly further includes a lid that at least partially seals the inner pocket. A contact surface of the lid is in thermal communication with the thermally conductive material of the circuit board and at least a portion of a top surface of the lid is thermally coupled to an inner surface of the carrier shaft during rotation thereof. A method for dissipating thermal energy away from the circuit board is also provided.