Wind Turbine Nacelle Cooling with a Coupled Second Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind turbine cooling systems face challenges in achieving sufficient cooling capacity as the power generation capacity increases, with known systems relying on a single external cooling device that may not provide enough heat dissipation from the nacelle's interior.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanging device couples the primary cooling circuit with a second external cooling circuit, enhancing heat transfer by routing heat through two branches, with the second circuit further emitting heat into ambient air, thereby increasing the overall cooling capacity without requiring a redesign of the existing system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a single external cooling device is used in the cooling circuit, then the system structure remains simple, but the cooling capacity is insufficient for high power generation
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is divided into two separate cooling circuits instead of using a single cooling circuit. The first cooling circuit includes an external cooling device, and the second cooling circuit includes a further external cooling device. This segmentation allows each circuit to contribute to the overall cooling capacity, resolving the contradiction between sufficient cooling power and system simplicity by distributing the cooling function across multiple independent but coordinated systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The second cooling circuit is nested within or coupled to the first cooling circuit through a heat exchanging device. The heat exchanging device couples the cooling circuit with the second cooling circuit, allowing the two circuits to work together in a nested configuration. This nesting approach enables enhanced cooling capacity while maintaining a relatively compact and integrated system structure, avoiding the need for completely separate independent systems.
2Productivity
If the cooling capacity is enhanced by adding more cooling devices, then heat dissipation improves, but the system becomes more complex and harder to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the cooling system into two separate circuits with their own external cooling devices, the system achieves enhanced heat dissipation efficiency through parallel cooling paths. Each circuit can be independently operated and maintained, which actually simplifies maintenance procedures compared to a single complex high-capacity system. The segmentation allows selective servicing of one circuit while the other continues to provide cooling support.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanging device acts as an intermediary that couples the first cooling circuit with the second cooling circuit. This intermediary component enables thermal energy transfer between the two circuits while maintaining their operational independence. The heat exchanging device facilitates coordinated operation between the two circuits, allowing them to work together to achieve high heat dissipation efficiency while preserving the ease of operation and maintenance of individual circuits.
3Power
If a second cooling circuit is added to enhance cooling capacity, then heat dissipation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second cooling circuit is integrated with the first cooling circuit through the heat exchanging device, creating a nested or coupled system architecture. Rather than adding a completely separate independent cooling system, the second circuit is nested within the overall cooling system framework, sharing common control and mounting structures. This nesting approach minimizes the increase in device complexity while achieving the desired enhancement in cooling power.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanging device serves multiple functions: it couples the two cooling circuits together, transfers thermal energy between them, and enables coordinated operation. The external cooling devices in both circuits can serve as backup or supplemental cooling sources, providing multi-functionality that justifies the added complexity. The system is designed so that either circuit can operate independently or in combination, providing operational flexibility that reduces the practical impact of increased device complexity.
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 configuration significantly enhances the cooling capacity of the wind turbine, ensuring effective heat dissipation from the nacelle's interior even at high temperatures, and allows for easy upgrading of existing cooling systems by adding the second circuit, optimizing cooling efficiency based on ambient and fluid temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanging device coupling the cooling circuit with a second cooling circuit is provided, wherein the second cooling circuit comprises a further external cooling device outside of the nacelle
Implementation Method 2
the external cooling device of the cooling circuit emits heat into the ambient air
Implementation Method 3
the further external cooling device of the second cooling circuit transfers heat into the ambient air
Data Source
AI summary
A wind turbine comprising a nacelle and a cooling circuit, wherein the cooling circuit comprises at least one internal cooling device within the nacelle and at least one external cooling device outside of the nacelle, wherein a heat exchanging device coupling the cooling circuit with a second cooling circuit is provided, wherein the second cooling circuit comprises a further external cooling device outside of the nacelle.