Integrated power converter cooling system using turbine intake air

• US 5,649,418 A
• Filed: 08/07/1995
• Issued: 07/22/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Solar Turbines Incorporated (Caterpillar Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Solar Turbines Incorporated (Caterpillar Incorporated)
• Inventors: Ludwig, George A.
• Primary Examiner(s): FREAY, CHARLES GRANT
• Application Number:
  US08/512,008
• Time in Patent Office: 715 Days
• Field of Search: 60/39.33, 60/39.83, 290/52
• US Class Current: 60/801
• CPC Class Codes: F02C 7/08 Heating air supply before combustion, e.g. by exhaust gases
• CPC Class Codes: F02C 7/12 Cooling of plants of component parts, see the relevant subclasses, e.g. F01D; cooling of engines in general F01P
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20136 Forced ventilation, e.g. by fans H05K7/202 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20909 Forced ventilation, e.g. on heat dissipaters coupled to components

Abstract

Air flow cooling systems are used to increase component life. The present air flow cooling system increases the component life, increases efficiencies and eliminated components. For example, the power source or gas turbine engine is used to cause a flow of air around and about electrical components which need cooling. A plurality of compartments insure the direction of a flow of cooling air around and along the electrical components and the compressor section of the gas turbine engine causes the air to flow around and along the electrical components.

Claims

1. An air flow cooling system being positioned within an enclosure, said air flow cooling system providing a cooling fluid to cool electrical components including an electric machine and an integrated power converter and providing a combustible fluid to a gas turbine engine having a compressor section and a combustor section, said air flow cooling system comprising:

a filter through which said cooling fluid is at least partially cleaned;

a plurality of compartments, having at least a portion of said electrical components positioned therein including a compartment in which said electric machine is positioned and an another compartment in which the integrated power converter is cooled; and

said cooling flow being directed from said filter through said plurality of compartments around and along said electrical components prior to entering the compressor section and being directed to the combustor section of the gas turbine engine and said cooling flow directionally cooling the integrated power converter prior to cooling the electric machine.

2. The air flow cooling system of claim 1 wherein said integrated power converter includes a plate member being formed as a part of the integrated power converter and said plate member includes a plurality of fins attached thereto.

3. The air flow cooling system of claim 2 wherein said plurality of fins are in heat dissipating relationship to the cooling fluid.

4. The air flow cooling system of claim 1 wherein said electric machine includes a plurality of fins which are in heat dissipating relationship to the cooling fluid.

5. The air flow cooling system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of compartments includes a first compartment from which the cooling fluid is distributed to a second compartment and to a third compartment.

6. The air flow cooling system of claim 5 wherein a plate member separates the first compartment from said second compartment and the cooling fluid passing through each of the first compartment and the second compartment cools a integrated power converter.

7. The air flow cooling system of claim 5 wherein said first compartment includes a heat exchanger positioned therein.

8. The air flow delivery system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of compartments include a first compartment.

9. The air flow delivery system of claim 8 wherein said first compartment has said filter positioned therein.

10. An air flow cooling system being positioned within an enclosure, said air flow cooling system providing a cooling fluid to cool electrical components and providing a combustible fluid to a gas turbine engine, said air flow cooling system comprising:

a plurality of compartments, having at least a portion of said electrical components positioned therein, said plurality of compartments including a first compartment, a second compartment and a third compartment having a plate member positioned therein being in heat conducting relationship with a power converter; and

said cooling flow being directed through said plurality of compartments around and along said electrical components prior to entering the gas turbine engine.

11. The air flow delivery system of claim 10 wherein said second compartment has said power converter positioned therein.

12. The air flow delivery system of claim 10 wherein said plate member includes a plurality of fins.

13. The air flow delivery system of claim 10 wherein said plurality of compartments includes a fourth compartment.

14. The air flow delivery system of claim 13 wherein said fourth compartment includes an electric machine positioned therein.

15. The air flow delivery system of claim 14 wherein said electric machine includes a plurality of fins attached thereto.