Wave Power Hydraulic Cooling via Self-Driven Refrigerant Pump
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wave power generation systems, the operating liquid's temperature continuously increases due to pressure loss and lacks effective cooling when electric power is not supplied, leading to inefficiencies and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
A wave power generation system that incorporates a heat exchanger device driven by the operating liquid, using sea water as a refrigerant to cool the operating liquid, with a refrigerant pump and flow control mechanisms to regulate temperature and prevent excessive cooling or refrigerant depletion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If an air cooled type oil cooler with a fan is used, then the operating liquid can be cooled, but the system requires electric power supply to control the fan, which may not be available during blackouts or power failures
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the operating liquid itself to drive the heat exchange motor device through hydraulic pressure, eliminating the need for external electric power. The operating liquid flows through the sub passage to rotate the heat exchange motor device, which then drives the refrigerant pump device, creating a self-sustaining cooling cycle that automatically responds to temperature conditions without requiring external power supply or complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electric motor-driven fan system with a hydraulic-driven heat exchange system. Instead of using electric power to rotate a fan for air cooling, the system uses hydraulic pressure from the operating liquid to drive a heat exchange motor device that mechanically pumps refrigerant through the heat exchanger, achieving cooling through mechanical hydraulic action rather than electrical propulsion.
2Temperature
If the refrigerant pump device continuously pumps refrigerant liquid, then the cooling effect is maintained, but the refrigerant liquid may be depleted due to leakage or system losses
Solution Approach 1:
The system recovers and reuses the refrigerant liquid after it has performed its cooling function. The refrigerant pump device circulates the refrigerant liquid through the heat exchanger where it absorbs heat from the operating liquid, then the cooled refrigerant returns to the heat exchanger inlet to repeat the cycle. This continuous circulation and recovery of refrigerant prevents depletion and maintains sustainable operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The refrigerant liquid serves multiple functions within the system: it acts as a heat transfer medium to cool the operating liquid, and the system uses sea water as an alternative refrigerant source that is naturally replenished. This multi-functional approach ensures continuous cooling capability without depleting a finite refrigerant resource.
3Loss of substance
If sea water is used as refrigerant liquid, then the refrigerant can be continuously supplied from the sea, but the system requires additional components to handle seawater intake and circulation
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sea water as both the refrigerant source and the cooling medium, eliminating the need for separate refrigerant storage and circulation systems. The refrigerant pump device directly pumps sea water from the surrounding environment through the heat exchanger, and the same sea water returns to the heat exchanger inlet, creating a simple open-loop system that leverages the abundant marine environment without requiring complex refrigerant management infrastructure.
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
Enables continuous cooling of the operating liquid without an electric power supply, maintaining appropriate temperatures and preventing pressure loss, thus ensuring efficient operation of the wave power generation system.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger to which the refrigerant liquid discharged from the refrigerant pump device and the operating liquid are introduced, the heat exchanger being configured to perform heat exchange between the refrigerant liquid and the operating liquid to cool the operating liquid
Implementation Method 2
a hydraulic pump device configured to operate by force of a wave to discharge an operating liquid to a main passage
Implementation Method 3
a hydraulic motor device configured to be rotated by the operating liquid flowing through the main passage
Data Source
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AI summary
A wave power generation system includes: a hydraulic pump device configured to operate by force of a wave to discharge an operating liquid to a main passage; a hydraulic motor device configured to be rotated by the operating liquid flowing through the main passage; a power generator configured to be driven by the hydraulic motor to generate electric power; and a heat exchanger device configured to perform heat exchange of the operating liquid. The heat exchanger device includes a heat exchange motor device connected to the main passage through a sub passage and configured to be operated by the operating liquid introduced through the sub passage, a refrigerant pump device driven by the heat exchange motor device and configured to suck and discharge a refrigerant liquid, and a heat exchanger to which the refrigerant liquid discharged from the heat exchange pump device and the operating liquid are introduced, the heat exchanger being configured to perform heat exchange between the refrigerant liquid and the operating liquid.