Switchgear cooling system comprising a heat pipe, fan and thermoelectric generation

A cooling system for a switchgear, the switchgear having at least one primary contact constructed and arranged to connect to a terminal of a circuit breaker, the cooling system comprising:

• an evaporator constructed and arranged to be associated with the primary contact so as to remove heat therefrom,
• a condenser located at a higher elevation than the evaporator,
• a heat pipe structure fluidly connecting the evaporator with the condenser,
• at least one fan constructed and arranged to force air through the condenser,
• working fluid in the evaporator so as to be heated to a vapor state by the primary contact, with the heat pipe structure being constructed and arranged to transfer the vapor to the condenser and to passively return condensed working fluid back to the evaporator for cooling of the primary contact, and
• a plurality of thermoelectric generators associated with the condenser and constructed and arranged to convert heat, obtained from the working fluid in the vapor state, to electrical energy to power the fan absent an external power source,
• wherein the plurality of thermoelectric generators are connected together in a single electric circuit with the fan and are constructed and arranged to provide the electrical energy to power solely the fan, a total electrical resistance of the plurality of thermoelectric generators in or near the condensation area being about equal to a resistance of the fan whereby a rotational speed of the fan resulting from the electrical energy is automatically self-regulating to either increase or decrease based on a varying heat load provided by the primary contact absent the external power source.

A method of cooling a member, the method comprising the steps of:

• associating an evaporator with the member, the member defining a heat source,
• providing a condenser located at a higher elevation than the evaporator,
• fluidly connecting the evaporator with the condenser, and providing a working fluid in the evaporator,
• providing a fan to force air through the condenser,
• associating a plurality of thermoelectric generators with a condensation area of the condenser wherein a total electrical resistance of the plurality of thermoelectric generators in or near the condensation area is about equal to a resistance of the fan,
• connecting the plurality of thermoelectric generators in a single electric circuit with the fan,
• transferring heat from the heat source to the working fluid to cause the working fluid to evaporate in the evaporator with the evaporated vapor being delivered to the condenser,
• converting heat, obtained from the evaporated vapor, to electrical energy via the plurality of thermoelectric generators to power solely the fan absent an external power source, and
• supplying the electrical energy to the fan so that a rotational speed of the fan resulting from the electrical energy is automatically self-regulating to either increase or decrease based on a varying heat load provided by the heat source absent the external power source.