Wind Turbine Generator Cooling via Rotating Heat Exchanger
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling systems for wind power turbines are not versatile or effective, particularly in hot climates, and require site-specific design, reducing standardization and mass production efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A closed-circuit cooling system with a first heat exchanger to release heat from the electric generator and a second heat exchanger that rotates to receive heat from the rotor by thermal conduction, using a closed circuit to circulate cooling liquid, allowing for easy retrofitting and modular sizing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If air cooling systems are used for electric generators in wind power turbines, then the system is simple and suitable for mild or cold climates, but the cooling effectiveness is insufficient in hot climates
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system allows dynamic selection between air cooling and liquid cooling modes based on environmental temperature conditions. The system can switch cooling methods adaptively to maintain optimal cooling effectiveness across different climate conditions, transforming a static cooling approach into a dynamic one that responds to external temperature variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system is designed to perform multiple functions: it can operate as an air cooling system for mild/cold climates and as a liquid cooling system for hot climates. This multi-functionality allows a single cooling system design to serve diverse climatic conditions, eliminating the need for climate-specific customizations while maintaining optimal cooling performance.
2Productivity
If cooling systems are designed according to the climate of the installation site, then maximum power and efficiency are achieved, but turbine component standardization and mass production are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system employs a universal design that can operate in both air cooling and liquid cooling modes, allowing the same turbine components to be used across different climate conditions. This eliminates the need to design and manufacture separate cooling systems for different climates, thereby maintaining standardization and mass production benefits while still achieving optimal power and efficiency in each specific climate.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains standardized hardware components but changes operational parameters (cooling medium type, flow rates, heat exchanger activation) based on climate conditions. This allows the physical components to remain standardized for mass production, while the operational parameters are adjusted to optimize performance for each climate, resolving the contradiction between standardization and climate-specific optimization.
3Temperature
If liquid cooling systems are used in hot climates, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is designed to be dynamically configurable, allowing the liquid cooling components to be activated or deactivated based on climate conditions. In mild or cold climates, the system operates in a simpler air cooling mode with liquid cooling components dormant. In hot climates, the liquid cooling components are activated to provide enhanced cooling. This dynamic approach allows the system to achieve high cooling effectiveness when needed while maintaining simpler operation during cooler periods.
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 provides effective cooling for wind power turbines in hot climates without structural alterations, enabling retrofitting on existing turbines and allowing for simultaneous operation with air cooling systems, enhancing efficiency and versatility.
Implementation Method 1
a second heat exchanger fitted to the rotor to receive heat from the rotor by thermal conduction
Implementation Method 2
a first heat exchanger fitted to the wind power turbine to release heat, produced by the electric generator, to the outside
Implementation Method 3
a closed circuit extending through the first and second heat exchanger to circulate cooling liquid
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~5
Figure 3
AI summary
A cooling system (15) for cooling an electric generator (4) of a wind power turbine (1) has : - a first heat exchanger (16) fittable to the wind power turbine (1) to release heat, produced by the electric generator (4), to the outside; - a second heat exchanger (17) fittable to the rotor (7) of the electric generator (4) to receive heat from the rotor (7) by thermal conduction, and which rotates about the axis of rotation (A1) of the rotor (7) with respect to the first heat exchanger (16); and - a closed circuit (19) extending through the first and second heat exchanger (16, 17) to circulate cooling liquid.