Phase-change cooling of subterranean power lines
First Claim
1. A method for cooling a subterranean power line, comprising:
- installing a cooling tube configured for subterranean installation underground and along a path defined by a subterranean power line, wherein the cooling tube is fluidly independent from the subterranean power line;
a fluid within the cooling tube absorbing thermal energy generated by a current flow through power line;
a heat-exchanging condenser fluidly connected to the cooling tube;
receiving the fluid in a heated, gaseous phase;
dissipating thermal energy stored in the fluid in the gaseous phase; and
returning the fluid in a cooled, liquid phase.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A cooling system for a subterranean power line may include a cooling tube configured to house a fluid. Heat generated by the subterranean power line may be radiated and/or conducted to the cooling tube and absorbed by the fluid within the cooling tube. As the fluid heats up, it may change phase from a liquid to a gas. The hot gas may rise to a heat-exchanging condenser configured to dissipate the heat and condense the fluid back into a liquid. The cool, condensed liquid my return from the heat-exchanging condenser to the cooling tube. Risers, gas transport tubes, pressure regulation systems, fluid storage tanks, and other components described herein may increase the efficiency of the cooling system and/or otherwise improve the viability of the cooling system for subterranean power lines.
21 Citations
37 Claims
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1. A method for cooling a subterranean power line, comprising:
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installing a cooling tube configured for subterranean installation underground and along a path defined by a subterranean power line, wherein the cooling tube is fluidly independent from the subterranean power line; a fluid within the cooling tube absorbing thermal energy generated by a current flow through power line; a heat-exchanging condenser fluidly connected to the cooling tube; receiving the fluid in a heated, gaseous phase; dissipating thermal energy stored in the fluid in the gaseous phase; and returning the fluid in a cooled, liquid phase. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system for cooling a subterranean power line, comprising:
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a cooling tube configured for subterranean installation along a path defined by a subterranean power line, wherein the cooling tube is fluidly independent from the subterranean power line, and wherein the cooling tube configured to house a fluid adapted to absorb thermal energy generated by a current flow through the power line; and a heat-exchanging condenser fluidly connected to the cooling tube, the heat-exchanging condenser configured to; receive the fluid in a heated, gaseous phase; dissipate thermal energy stored in the fluid in the gaseous phase; and return the fluid in a cooled, liquid phase. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method for controlling the temperature of a subterranean power line, comprising:
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installing a sealed cooling tube configured for subterranean installation underground and along a path defined by a subterranean power line, wherein the sealed cooling tube is fluidly independent from the subterranean power line; dynamically adjusting the pressure of a fluid within the sealed cooling tube in order to control a temperature associated with the subterranean power line; the fluid within the sealed cooling tube absorbing thermal energy generated by a current flow through the power line; a heat-exchanging condenser fluidly connected to the sealed cooling tube; receiving the fluid in a heated, gaseous phase; dissipating thermal energy stored in the fluid in the gaseous phase; and returning the fluid in a cooled, liquid phase. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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Specification