Stacked Thyristor Valve Cooling Pipe Couplers for Faster Replacement

Solution Overview

Problem

The installation and replacement of thyristor valves require complicated and time-consuming operations due to the need to stack cooling pipes between multiple stages, increasing assembly costs.

Innovation Solution

A power conversion apparatus with a coolant circulation circuit that includes first and second cooling pipes, connecting members, and connecting pipes with one-touch couplers for efficient installation and replacement, allowing simultaneous connection of cooling pipes between stages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a common cooling pipe is disposed in a state in which multiple stages are stacked, then the cooling water piping system can be established, but the installation and replacement operation becomes complicated and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling water piping systemVSAvoidinstallation and replacement operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling pipe is divided into multiple sections with connecting members at each stage. Each stage's cooling pipe can be independently installed and connected, transforming a single complex assembly into multiple simple modular units that can be stacked and connected sequentially.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting members are designed with flexible connecting pipes that can be coupled in a flexible manner, allowing the cooling pipe system to adapt to the stacked stage configuration during installation and replacement operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If a common cooling pipe is disposed in a state in which multiple stages are stacked, then the cooling water piping system can be established, but the installation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling water piping systemVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling pipe is divided into multiple sections with connecting members at each stage. Each stage's cooling pipe can be independently installed and connected, transforming a single complex assembly into multiple simple modular units that can be stacked and connected sequentially.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting members are pre-installed on each stage's cooling pipe, allowing for quick connection when stages are stacked. This preliminary preparation of connection interfaces significantly reduces the time required for assembly operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If a common cooling pipe is disposed in a state in which multiple stages are stacked, then the cooling water piping system can be established, but the assembly cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling water piping systemVSAvoidassembly cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling pipe is divided into multiple sections with connecting members at each stage. Each stage's cooling pipe can be independently installed and connected, transforming a single complex assembly into multiple simple modular units that can be stacked and connected sequentially.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting members are designed with standardized interfaces that can be universally applied across all stages. This standardization allows for mass production of identical modular units, reducing manufacturing costs through economies of scale.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Facilitates efficient installation and replacement of thyristor valves by reducing the number of operation steps and assembly costs through the use of one-touch couplers and flexible connecting pipes.

Implementation Method 1

a coolant circulation circuit that allows a coolant to circulate through the first and second modules

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS12419012B2Power conversion apparatus

Publication Date: 2025.09.16 TMEIC CORP

AI summary

A power conversion apparatus includes: a first stage on which a first module is mounted, a second stage stacked on the first stage and on which a second module is mounted, and a coolant circulation circuit allowing a coolant to circulate through the first and second modules. The coolant circulation circuit includes a first cooling pipe disposed on the first stage, a second cooling pipe disposed on the second stage, a first connecting member provided at an opening end of the first cooling pipe, a second connecting member provided at an opening end of the second cooling pipe, a connecting pipe connecting the first connecting member and the second connecting member, a first coupler that couples a first end portion of the connecting pipe to the first connecting member, and a second coupler that couples a second end portion of the connecting pipe to the second connecting member.