Touchless Tank Oil Circulation Through a Non-Magnetic Wall
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid circulation systems for tanks, particularly in sub-sea transformers, require frequent maintenance and do not efficiently enhance oil circulation and heat transfer due to the presence of maintenance-intensive components like stators inside the tank.
Innovation Solution
A liquid circulation system utilizing a rotor within the tank driven by a stator through a non-magnetic exterior tank wall, employing a touchless electromagnetic field to circulate the liquid, with the stator located outside the tank to minimize maintenance needs and enhance oil circulation and heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the stator is located inside the tank to drive the rotor, then the liquid circulation function is achieved, but the maintenance complexity increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The stator is extracted from inside the tank and positioned outside, separated from the liquid environment. This allows the complex electrical component to be maintained independently without draining or opening the tank, significantly reducing maintenance complexity while improving system reliability through better component protection
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid circulation system is segmented into two independent parts: the rotor inside the tank that contacts liquid, and the stator outside the tank that generates electromagnetic fields. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized and maintained separately, with the stator accessible for repair without affecting the liquid-filled tank
2Ease of operation
If additional holes are made in the tank wall to install circulation components, then the liquid circulation system can be installed, but the tank integrity is compromised and maintenance difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The non-magnetic tank wall acts as an intermediary that allows electromagnetic fields to pass through while maintaining physical separation. This enables the stator to be positioned outside the tank without creating holes, preserving tank integrity while still allowing the electromagnetic field to drive the rotor inside
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical connection between stator and rotor is replaced by an electromagnetic field that can penetrate the non-magnetic tank wall. This substitution eliminates the need for physical openings or penetrations in the tank wall, maintaining structural integrity while achieving the circulation function
3Productivity
If the rotor is driven through direct mechanical connection, then the circulation efficiency is high, but the system complexity and maintenance needs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The direct mechanical connection for driving the rotor is replaced by an electromagnetic field generated by the stator. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity by eliminating shafts, gears, and seals, while maintaining effective rotor rotation and liquid circulation through electromagnetic forces
Solution Approach 2:
The rotor is designed to be self-driven by the electromagnetic field without requiring external mechanical connections or additional drive mechanisms. The electromagnetic induction creates currents in the rotor that generate the necessary torque, simplifying the overall system while maintaining circulation efficiency
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
The system effectively circulates insulating oil within transformers, enhancing heat transfer from the active transformer parts to sea water without requiring additional holes in the tank, thus reducing maintenance and improving operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the rotor is configured to be rotated by a varying electromagnetic field in a touchless manner through the exterior tank wall to circulate a liquid within the tank
Implementation Method 2
The coils of the at least one stator are arranged along the at least one axis of rotation of the at least one rotor so that the at least one rotor is configured to be rotated by the at least one stator in a touchless manner through the exterior tank wall by means of a varying electromagnetic field
Data Source
AI summary
In at least one embodiment, the liquid circulation system comprisesa rotor located within a tank,a stator having a plurality of coils outside the tank, andan exterior tank wall that is non-magnetic and that is located next to the rotor and between the rotor and the stator,whereinan axis (R) of rotation of the rotor is in parallel with the exterior tank wall,the coils of the stator are arranged along the axis (R) of rotation of the rotor so that the rotor is configured to be rotated by the stator in a touchless manner through the exterior tank wall by means of a varying electromagnetic field driven by the stator to circulate a liquid within the tank.