Windage-Driven Ventilation Hood for Power Train Enclosure Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ventilation systems for power train enclosures in power plants are inefficient, increasing costs and reducing operating efficiency due to their larger footprint and reliance on supplemental motor-driven fans, while also failing to effectively manage heat generated by rotating rotatable members.

Innovation Solution

A ventilation system comprising a hood with a cover portion and a discharge portion, where a rotatable member extends through apertures to induce a windage-driven flow of fluid, facilitating airflow without supplemental fans, thereby cooling the enclosure and expelling unwanted fluids.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If known ventilation systems are used to prevent excessive temperatures within the enclosure, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but the footprint increases, assembly costs increase, maintenance costs increase, and operating efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature control within enclosureVSAvoidventilation system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rotatable member itself serves as the ventilation mechanism by inducing windage-driven flow of fluid through the enclosure. The rotating component generates its own cooling airflow without requiring separate motor-driven fans or complex ventilation systems, thereby simplifying the overall device while maintaining effective temperature control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts and eliminates the need for supplemental motor-driven ventilation systems by utilizing the rotatable member's rotation to directly generate the required airflow. This removes unnecessary components and reduces system complexity while maintaining cooling effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If supplemental motor-driven fans are used for ventilation, then airflow is generated, but energy costs increase and operating efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveventilation effectivenessVSAvoidenergy consumption for ventilation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The rotatable member generates its own cooling airflow through windage-driven flow during its normal rotation, eliminating the need for separate motor-driven fans. This self-service approach maintains ventilation effectiveness while eliminating additional energy consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the harmful windage loss (air resistance during rotation) into a beneficial cooling effect. The friction between the rotatable member and surrounding air, which normally represents energy loss, is harnessed to generate useful airflow for ventilation and cooling purposes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the rotatable member is enclosed to mitigate noise, then noise levels are reduced, but heat accumulates within the enclosure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise reductionVSAvoidheat accumulation in enclosure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The enclosed rotatable member generates its own ventilation airflow through rotation, creating windage-driven flow that continuously removes heat from the enclosed space. This self-generated airflow maintains noise reduction benefits while preventing heat accumulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The continuous rotation of the rotatable member maintains continuous windage-driven airflow through the enclosure, ensuring ongoing heat removal. The ventilation action is sustained throughout operation, preventing heat buildup while maintaining noise mitigation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 effectively ventilates the enclosure by generating a windage-driven airflow, reducing energy costs and improving cooling efficiency without the need for motor-driven ventilation systems, while mitigating noise and heat within the power train enclosure.

Implementation Method 1

rotation of the rotatable member induces a windage-driven flow of fluid between a portion of the rotatable member and at least one of the first and second apertures

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWindage-driven flow: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS8858168B2Ventilation system and method for assembling the same

Publication Date: 2014.10.14 GE INFRASTRUCTURE TECH LLC

AI summary

A method for assembling a ventilation system is provided. The method includes providing a ventilation hood that includes a cover portion and a discharge portion extending from the cover portion. The cover portion includes a first aperture, an opposite second aperture, and a cavity therein, wherein an interior of the discharge portion is in flow communication with the cover portion cavity. The method also includes coupling a rotatable member at least partially within the ventilation hood, such that the rotatable member extends at least partially through at least one of the first and second apertures, and such that rotation of the rotatable member induces a windage-driven flow of fluid between a portion of the rotatable member and at least one of the first and second apertures.