Transmission-line coupled closed-cycle heat transfer device
Described embodiments include a device, a method, and a system. A described device includes a closed-cycle heat transfer device. The device includes a hollow member configured to be thermally coupled with and to be disposed substantially parallel to a length of a live transmission line of an overhead power transmission system. The power transmission system is configured to transport electric power from one place to another. The device includes a working fluid contained within the hollow member and tuned to transport heat received from the live transmission line to a heat removal structure. The device includes the heat removal structure configured to dissipate the transported heat.
1. A closed-cycle heat transfer device comprising:
a hollow member thermally coupled with a live transmission line of an overhead power transmission system, an entire length of the hollow member being disposed substantially parallel to a length of the transmission line, the power transmission system configured to transport electric power from one place to another; and
a working fluid contained within the hollow member and tuned to transport heat received from the live transmission line to a heat removal structure utilizing a phase change; and
the heat removal structure disposed along the transmission line and configured to dissipate the transported heat.
2. The heat transfer device of claim 1 , wherein the closed-cycle heat transfer device includes a tubular heat pipe.
3. The heat transfer device of claim 2 , wherein the heat pipe includes a flat heat pipe.
4. The heat transfer device of claim 2 , wherein the heat pipe includes a loop heat pipe.
5. The heat transfer device of claim 1 , wherein the closed-cycle heat transfer device includes a closed-cycle heat transfer device configured to use gravity for liquid return.
6. The heat transfer device of claim 1 , wherein the hollow member includes a hollow thermally conductive member.
7. The heat transfer device of claim 1 , wherein the hollow member includes a tubular member.
8. The heat transfer device of claim 1 , wherein the hollow member includes a planar member.
9. The heat transfer device of claim 1 , wherein the hollow member is formed in a hollow portion of a conductor of the live transmission line.
10. The heat transfer device of claim 1 , wherein the hollow member is formed by a hollow portion of a conductor of the live transmission line.
11. The heat transfer device of claim 1 , wherein the hollow member is formed in a core region of an annular conductor or a multi-strand conductor of the live transmission line.
12. The heat transfer device of claim 1 , wherein the hollow member is in thermal contact with the live transmission line at one or more heat extraction locations.
13. The heat transfer device of claim 1 , wherein the hollow member is disposed in a region outside a conductor of the live transmission line.
14. The heat transfer device of claim 1 , wherein the hollow member is disposed in a helix pattern around a conductor of the live transmission line.
15. The heat transfer device of claim 1 , wherein the overhead power transmission system includes a high-voltage overhead power transmission system.
16. The heat transfer device of claim 1 , wherein the overhead power transmission system includes a power distribution system.
17. The heat transfer device of claim 1 , wherein the working fluid is contained within the hollow member, and tuned to transport heat received from the live transmission line and absorbed from the hollow member to a heat removal structure utilizing a phase change.
18. The heat transfer device of claim 1 , wherein the working fluid is tuned to transport heat received from the live transmission line to a heat removal structure using evaporation and condensation.
19. The heat transfer device of claim 1 , wherein the working fluid is tuned to transport heat received from the live transmission line to a heat removal structure using two phases.
20. The heat transfer device of claim 1 , wherein the working fluid is tuned to transport heat received from the live transmission line to a heat removal structure using convection.
21. The heat transfer device of claim 1 , wherein the working fluid is a non-electrically conductive working fluid.
22. The heat transfer device of claim 1 , wherein the heat transfer device is further configured to equilibrate temperatures and inhibit formation of relatively hot spots along the live transmission line.
23. The heat transfer device of claim 1 , wherein the heat removal structure includes a passive heat removal structure.
24. The heat transfer device of claim 1 , wherein the heat removal structure includes an active heat removal structure.
25. The heat transfer device of claim 1 , wherein the heat removal structure includes a cooling site configured to dissipate the transported heat.
26. The heat transfer device of claim 1 , wherein the heat removal structure includes another closed-cycle heat transfer device.
27. The heat transfer device of claim 1 , wherein the heat removal structure is configured to be mounted on the live transmission line.
28. The heat transfer device of claim 1 , wherein the heat removal structure is configured to be maintained at a location physically off of or away from the live transmission line.
29. The heat transfer device of claim 1 , wherein the heat removal structure is configured to be mounted on a transmission line support tower or other structure.
30. The heat transfer device of claim 1 , wherein the heat removal structure includes fins configured to facilitate convective cooling by ambient air.
31. The heat transfer device of claim 1 , wherein the heat removal structure includes a fan configured to facilitate convective cooling by ambient air.
32. The heat transfer device of claim 1 , wherein the heat removal structure includes a fan configured to facilitate convective cooling by ambient air.
33. The heat transfer device of claim 1 , wherein the heat removal structure includes a heat-exchanger configured transfer the transported heat into another fluid.
34. The heat transfer device of claim 1 , wherein the heat removal structure is configured to dissipate the transported heat to another heat removal structure.
35. A method of reducing a temperature of a transmission line of a power transmission system, the power transmission system configured to transmit electrical power from one place to another, the method comprising:
transmitting electric power over the transmission line;
maintaining a closed-cycle heat transfer device in a thermal coupling with and disposed substantially along a portion of the transmission line, the closed-cycle heat transfer device having a hollow member, an entire length of the hollow member being disposed substantially parallel to a length of the transmission line, the hollow member containing a working fluid tuned to transport heat received from the transmission line to a heat removal structure disposed along the transmission line; and
removing heat from the portion of the transmission line using the closed-cycle heat transfer device.