Wind Turbine Liquid Cooler Bypass for Overcooling Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind turbine cooling systems face inefficiencies and high costs due to the inability to adjust cooling capacity effectively across varying ambient temperatures and wind speeds, leading to issues such as viscosity increase, clogging, and damage to components at low temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A liquid cooler with a first part having a lower cooling capacity and a second part with a higher capacity, connected by a bypass conduit, controlled by valve means based on liquid characteristics like temperature, pressure, or viscosity, allowing adaptive cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the liquid cooler has high cooling capacity to cool the liquid effectively, then the cooling performance is improved, but the liquid temperature drops too low causing increased viscosity and potential clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid cooler is divided into two separate cooler parts with different cooling capacities. The first cooler part has lower cooling capacity to prevent excessive cooling, while the second cooler part has higher cooling capacity for when needed. This segmentation allows the system to select appropriate cooling capacity based on operating conditions, preventing liquid viscosity increase and clogging.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between different cooler parts based on operating conditions such as ambient temperature and wind speed. The valve means control the liquid flow path dynamically, directing liquid through the first cooler part under normal conditions and through the second cooler part when additional cooling is required, ensuring reliable operation across varying conditions.
2Productivity
If the cooler area is increased to improve cooling capacity, then cooling performance is improved, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using one large complex cooler, the system segments the cooling function into two separate cooler parts with different capacities. This allows the system to use only the necessary cooling capacity for each operating condition, effectively reducing the required cooler area while maintaining high cooling performance when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The two cooler parts serve different functions: the first cooler part handles normal cooling requirements, while the second cooler part provides enhanced cooling when ambient conditions demand it. This multi-functionality allows a single cooling system to adapt to various operating conditions without requiring excessive cooler area or complexity.
3Loss of energy
If the liquid is cooled to very low temperatures to maximize cooling effect, then heat removal is improved, but the liquid becomes too viscous to flow through the cooler
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the cooling level by switching between the first and second cooler parts based on ambient temperature and wind speed. This dynamic control prevents the liquid from being cooled to temperatures that would cause excessive viscosity and flow problems, while still achieving effective heat removal when conditions permit.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the cooling parameter (cooling capacity) by selecting different cooler parts based on operating conditions. The valve means control which cooler part is active, effectively changing the system's cooling parameter to match ambient conditions, thereby maintaining optimal liquid flowability while achieving necessary heat removal.
4Reliability
If a bypass system is added to prevent over-cooling, then operational reliability is improved, but the device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass functionality is merged into the main cooling system design rather than being added as a separate complex subsystem. The valve means and bypass conduits are integrated with the cooler parts to form a unified system that can be installed as a complete assembly, reducing installation complexity while maintaining operational reliability.
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 efficiently adjusts cooling capacity to ambient conditions, preventing clogging and component damage, while maintaining cost-effectiveness and ease of installation.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid cooler arranged to cool a liquid flowing through the wind turbine gearbox, the generator and/or the converter by way of air ambient to the nacelle
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Disclosed is wind turbine (1) comprising a wind turbine gearbox (15), a generator (17) and/or a converter (18) arranged inside a nacelle (3) of the wind turbine (1). The wind turbine (1) further comprises a liquid cooler (7) arranged to cool a liquid flowing through the wind turbine gearbox (15), the generator (17) and/or the converter (18) by way of air ambient to the nacelle (3). The liquid cooler (7) comprises a first liquid cooler part (8) having a first part cooling capacity and a second liquid cooler part (9) having a second part cooling capacity, wherein the second part cooling capacity is greater than the first part cooling capacity. The liquid cooler (7) also comprises a bypass conduit (10) arranged to guide a liquid from the first liquid cooler part (8) past the second liquid cooler part (9), and valve means (11) arranged to control flow through the bypass conduit (10), wherein the valve means (11) are controlled based on at least one characteristic of the liquid flowing through the liquid cooler (7).