Transformer Liquid Heat Exchanger With Solid Divider
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional liquid-filled transformers face challenges in achieving effective cooling, particularly in compact designs with increased power capacity, as they rely on air convection and require enhanced cooling methods to manage heat efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A fluid heat exchanger system that includes a finned heat sink with a solid thermal conductor divider, separating dielectric and cooling fluids, allowing heat transfer without direct contact, and utilizing a cooling fluid loop to efficiently dissipate heat from the dielectric fluid to the cooling fluid, which can be sourced from building chilled water supplies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If traditional radiator banks with hollow fins are used for cooling transformers, then cooling effectiveness is achieved through natural and forced convection of ambient air, but the transformer size becomes large and power capacity per unit volume is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dielectric fluid as an intermediary cooling medium that circulates through the transformer internal components, replacing direct air cooling. This fluid absorbs heat more efficiently and transfers it to external heat exchangers, enabling compact transformer design while maintaining effective cooling
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs liquid-based cooling systems (hydraulic principle) where dielectric fluid circulates through closed loops with pumps and heat exchangers. This liquid cooling approach provides superior heat transfer efficiency compared to air convection, allowing smaller transformer dimensions for the same power capacity
2Temperature
If forced convection of air is used to enhance cooling, then cooling effectiveness improves, but additional energy consumption and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The dielectric fluid cooling system is designed to utilize natural circulation and heat exchange principles where the fluid automatically circulates through temperature-driven density differences and pressure gradients, reducing or eliminating the need for high-power forced circulation fans and motors
3Temperature
If larger radiator banks are installed to improve cooling, then heat dissipation capacity increases, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is divided into separate functional modules: internal dielectric fluid circulation paths, external heat exchanger units, and fluid communication channels. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component and simplifies manufacturing and assembly compared to monolithic radiator banks
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 enables more efficient heat dissipation, allowing for smaller, higher-capacity transformers with reduced costs by effectively transferring heat from the dielectric fluid to the cooling fluid, even in space-constrained indoor environments like data centers.
Implementation Method 1
the solid divider is configured as a thermal conductor to communicate heat from the dielectric fluid to the cooling fluid
Implementation Method 2
directs the dielectric fluid across a first plurality of cooling fins
Implementation Method 3
additional cooling is achieved by forced convection
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for liquid heat exchange for transformers are described. One embodiment of a fluid heat exchanger includes a transformer inlet port that is coupled to a transformer chamber and receives a dielectric fluid from the transformer chamber. Also included are a cooling fluid inlet for receiving a cooling fluid and a finned heat sink that includes a fluid communicator. The fluid communicator may receive, at a first chamber, the dielectric fluid from the transformer inlet port and directs the dielectric fluid across a first plurality of cooling fins. The fluid communicator may receive, at a second chamber, the cooling fluid from the cooling fluid inlet and may direct the cooling fluid across a second plurality of fins, where the fluid communicator separates the first chamber from the second chamber with a solid divider.