Wind Turbine Throttle Unit with Integrated Fluid Cooling Channel

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing throttle units in wind turbines face efficiency and service life issues due to overheating, which complicates manufacturing and increases costs.

Innovation Solution

The throttle unit incorporates an electromagnetic insulation unit that forms a fluid channel for temperature control, eliminating the need for separate fluid-conducting lines and focusing on improved thermal conductivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If separate fluid-conducting lines (tubes, heat pipes) are arranged in the electromagnetic insulation unit, then temperature control of the throttle unit is achieved, but the number of parts increases and manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature control of throttle unitVSAvoidnumber of parts in throttle unit

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electromagnetic insulation unit is merged with the fluid channel function. The insulation unit itself forms the fluid channel, eliminating the need for separate tubes or heat pipes. This combining of insulation and fluid conduction functions reduces the number of parts while maintaining effective temperature control of the throttle unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The electromagnetic insulation unit performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides electromagnetic insulation between the leg and yoke, and it forms the fluid channel for temperature control. This multi-functionality reduces the overall complexity of the throttle unit by eliminating dedicated separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Temperature

If separate fluid-conducting lines are arranged in the electromagnetic insulation unit, then temperature control is achieved, but manufacturing effort and production planning complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature control capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing effort and production planning

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the fluid channel formation function into the electromagnetic insulation unit itself, the manufacturing process is simplified. Instead of requiring separate assembly steps for installing tubes or heat pipes within the insulation unit, the insulation unit is manufactured with the fluid channel already integrated, reducing manufacturing effort and simplifying production planning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Temperature

If the electromagnetic insulation unit has high thermal conductivity, then temperature control is improved, but electrical insulation performance may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal conductivity for temperature controlVSAvoidelectrical insulation performance

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The electromagnetic insulation unit is made from composite materials that simultaneously provide both electrical insulation and thermal conduction properties. This allows the unit to maintain high electrical insulation performance while achieving effective thermal conductivity for temperature control, resolving the contradiction between these two opposing requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 design reduces manufacturing complexity and costs while enhancing temperature control and the service life of the throttle unit.

Implementation Method 1

the fluid channel is designed to conduct a temperature control fluid (F) for temperature control of the throttle unit (1)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 2

the requirements for the electromagnetic insulation unit are reduced to the extent that a short circuit no longer needs to be prevented via the comparatively short distance between the legs and the tubes or heat pipes. In particular, this makes it possible to focus more on the thermal conductivity of the electromagnetic insulation unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP4571802A1Throttle unit, wind turbine and use of a throttle unit with a wind turbine

Publication Date: 2025.06.18 WOBBEN PROPERTIES GMBH

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AI summary

Throttle unit (1), in particular a 3-phase throttle unit (1), comprising at least one leg (11, 12, 13) extending between a first end (E1) and a second end (E2), wherein the at least one leg is encompassed by a coil (L1, L2, L3), a first yoke (21) coupled to the first end (E1) of the at least one leg (11, 12, 13), a first electromagnetic insulation unit (31) arranged between the first end (E1) of the at least one leg (11, 12, 13) and the first yoke (21), characterized in that the first electromagnetic insulation unit (31) has or forms a fluid channel (40), wherein the fluid channel (40) is designed to conduct a temperature control fluid (F) for temperature control of the throttle unit (1).