Wind Turbine Rotor Cooling via Heat Pipes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling systems for wind turbines fail to maintain an even temperature along the active segments of rotary electric machines, leading to reduced efficiency, especially in hot climates where liquid cooling systems are required but are not versatile enough.
Innovation Solution
The active segment of a wind turbine rotary electric machine is designed with a tubular structure and U-shaped electric coils, incorporating heat pipes that extend from the laminated pack to cool the hottest areas, with one end of the heat pipe located close to a cooling channel to facilitate even temperature distribution and improved cooling efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If air cooling systems are used in mild or cold climates, then the rotary electric machine performs well in those conditions, but the system fails to provide adequate cooling in hot climates
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system transitions from a static air cooling design to a dynamic liquid cooling system that can adapt to different thermal loads and climate conditions. The liquid cooling system allows for variable flow rates and cooling capacity adjustment based on operating conditions, enabling the same system to perform effectively in both mild/cold and hot climates.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the fundamental cooling parameter from air (gas phase) to liquid, which provides superior heat transfer coefficients. This parameter change enables the system to handle higher thermal loads in hot climates while maintaining effectiveness in milder conditions, thus improving both reliability and adaptability across different environments.
2Temperature
If liquid cooling systems are implemented in hot climates, then cooling effectiveness improves, but the system lacks versatility for use in mild or cold climates
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid cooling system is designed with universal applicability across different climate conditions. By incorporating controllable flow mechanisms and adjustable cooling capacity, the same liquid cooling infrastructure serves both hot and mild/cold climates, eliminating the need for climate-specific system designs and improving versatility.
3Temperature
If heat exchangers are added to the rotor liquid cooling system, then cooling effectiveness increases, but the weight of the rotor increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding heavy heat exchangers throughout the rotor, the invention applies cooling components only where heat generation is most intense. Heat pipes are strategically positioned at locations with highest thermal loads, providing localized cooling effectiveness while minimizing additional weight. This targeted approach maintains cooling performance without proportionally increasing rotor weight.
4Device complexity
If conventional cooling systems are used, then the structure remains simple, but the temperature distribution along the active segment becomes uneven
Solution Approach 1:
Heat pipes serve as intermediary thermal management components that actively transport heat from hot spots to cooler regions. These heat pipes are integrated into the existing cooling channel structure, providing enhanced temperature distribution uniformity without requiring a complete redesign of the cooling system architecture. The heat pipes act as thermal mediators that balance temperature across the active segment while maintaining structural simplicity.
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 ensures more uniform temperature distribution along the active segment, enhancing the performance and efficiency of the rotary electric machine by effectively removing heat from the hottest areas, thereby improving the overall cooling efficiency of the wind turbine.
Implementation Method 1
comprises at least two heat pipes located at the opposite sides to cool the opposite ends of the active member partly inside the gaps formed by the U-shaped portions and the laminated pack; wherein each heat pipe has one end located close to a cooling channel
Data Source
AI summary
An active segment of a wind turbine rotary electric machine is selectively and prismatically connectable to a tubular support of a rotary electric machine, extends between two opposite ends to form, together with other active segments, an annular active part about an axis of rotation, and has a laminated pack; at least one active member extending axially and fitted inside a seat of the laminated pack; and at least one heat exchange member located at one end to cool one end of the active member.