Cooling device for a carrier traction motor, associated mechanical assembly, carrier and replacement method

Abstract

The invention relates to a cooling device for a traction motor of a vehicle, to a related mechanical assembly, to a vehicle and to a method of replacement. A cooling device (28) for a traction motor (24) of a vehicle (10), the motor (24) being surrounded by a housing (26) having a wall (36) provided with at least one opening (38) for the entry of an air flow. The cooling device (28) comprises a casing (40) having a first face (48) and an opposite second face (50), the casing (40) delimiting an air duct (58) connecting an air inlet (52) located on the first face (48) to an air outlet (56) located on the second face (50), and an electric fan (42) mounted inside the casing (40) and configured to force the circulation of the air flow. The cooling device (28) is configured to be removably fixed to the housing (26).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a cooling device for the traction motor of a vehicle.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a mechanical assembly (ensemble de motorisation) including such a cooling device.

[0003] The present invention also relates to a vehicle comprising such a mechanical assembly.

[0004] The present invention also relates to a method for replacing the cooling device of such mechanical assembly. Background Technology

[0005] The vehicle is, for example, a railway vehicle, or, as a variation, a car vehicle, an aircraft vehicle, or a sea vehicle.

[0006] The traction motor needs to be cooled while it is running to prevent any overheating and thus ensure its proper operation.

[0007] It is known that a fan is rigidly fixed to a traction motor to cool it during operation. The fan is directly connected to and rotates with the rotor of the traction motor. Thus, the fan enables the generation of airflow, thereby cooling the traction motor through forced convection.

[0008] However, such fans are inadequate in terms of cooling, load loss, and noise. In practice, it is impossible to adjust the fan geometry throughout the entire operating range of the motor, and it is impossible to control the fan speed independently, especially relative to the motor. Furthermore, maintaining such fans is cumbersome, as it requires disassembling the entire motor and may involve removing it entirely.

[0009] One of the objectives of this invention is to provide a cooling device for the traction motor of a vehicle that has improved cooling performance, while reducing noise caused by fan operation and enabling easy maintenance. Summary of the Invention

[0010] Therefore, the subject of the present invention is a cooling device for a traction motor of a vehicle, particularly a railway vehicle, the motor being surrounded by a housing having a wall, the wall having at least one opening for airflow to enter for cooling the motor, the cooling device comprising: a housing having a first side and an opposing second side, the housing defining an air duct connecting an air inlet on the first side to at least one air outlet on the second side; and an electric fan mounted inside the housing and configured to force airflow to circulate from the air inlet to each air outlet; the cooling device being configured to be removably fixed to the housing by abutting the second side of the housing against the wall of the housing, the air outlet or at least one of the air outlets being opposite the opening or one of the openings when the cooling device is fixed to the housing.

[0011] According to a specific embodiment of the invention, the cooling device also has one or more of the following features, which can be considered individually or in any technically possible combination:

[0012] - The duct is configured to continuously reduce the airflow velocity between the inlet and at least one outlet.

[0013] - The cooling device includes a single, annular air outlet.

[0014] The cooling device also includes multiple vanes arranged in the air duct.

[0015] - The cooling system includes a power supply for the electric fan that is independent of the power supply to the motor, and

[0016] - The second side of the casing defines the cavity.

[0017] The subject of this invention also includes a mechanical assembly comprising: a traction motor for a vehicle; a housing surrounding the motor, the housing including a wall having at least one through opening for airflow to cool the motor; and a cooling device according to the above-described subject matter, the cooling device being removably fixed to the housing, a second side of the housing abutting against the wall of the housing such that airflow exiting through each outlet of the housing is fed into one or more openings in the wall.

[0018] According to a specific embodiment of the invention, the mechanical assembly also has one or more of the following features, either individually or in combination:

[0019] - The electric motor includes a rotor extending along the main axis and a stator extending around the rotor. The mechanical assembly includes at least one cooling channel fed in by one or more openings and extending around the stator periphery.

[0020] - The mechanical assembly includes a speed measuring device for measuring the rotational speed of the motor rotor, which is arranged between the second surface and the wall of the housing, in a cavity.

[0021] The subject of this invention also includes a vehicle, particularly a railway vehicle, comprising at least one mechanical assembly as defined above.

[0022] The subject matter of this invention also includes a replacement method, which comprises the following steps:

[0023] - Provide the mechanical assembly as described above, and

[0024] - Disassemble the cooling device and replace it with another cooling device as defined above. Attached Figure Description

[0025] The invention and its advantages will be better understood by reading the following description, which is given by way of non-limiting example only, and reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0026] - Figure 1 It is a schematic representation of the side of a railway vehicle; and

[0027] - Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of the airborne mechanical assembly in a railway vehicle;

[0028] - Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A perspective view of the cooling system of the mechanical assembly; and

[0029] - Figure 4 yes Figure 2 A sectional view of the mechanical assembly. Detailed Implementation

[0030] exist Figure 1 The diagram shows a railway system 2, which includes railway infrastructure 4 and railway vehicles 10.

[0031] Railway infrastructure 4 includes tracks 6 and overhead contact lines 8.

[0032] The overhead contact line 8 is a power supply device suspended above the track 6, and consists of one or two conductive contact wires and support cables.

[0033] The following description will focus solely on railway vehicle 10; however, those skilled in the art will understand that the invention is applicable to any type of vehicle, such as automobile vehicles, aircraft vehicles, or marine vehicles.

[0034] The railway vehicle 10 is configured to transport passengers and / or goods.

[0035] like Figure 1 As can be seen, the railway vehicle 10 includes at least one carriage 12 for transporting passengers and / or goods, a head carriage 14, and at least one mechanical assembly 16 mounted on the vehicle 10.

[0036] Advantageously, the vehicle 10 also includes a rear carriage 18 located at the opposite end of the head carriage 14.

[0037] The vehicle also includes at least one pantograph 20 disposed on one of the carriages 12, 14, 18. The pantograph 20 is an articulated device configured to receive current by frictional contact with the contact wire 8.

[0038] Each carriage 12, 14, and 18 extends longitudinally and has two longitudinal ends.

[0039] The vehicle 10 includes bogies 17. Each bogie 17 supports cars 12, 14, 18 placed on the bogie 17, or supports two adjacent cars 12, 14, 18 whose adjacent longitudinal ends are placed on the bogie 17 (therefore referred to as "shared bogies").

[0040] Each bogie 17 includes a wheel 22 fixed to the bogie 17 via an axle not shown in the figure. The wheel 22 is configured to rotate on the track 6, thereby enabling the railway vehicle 10 to move.

[0041] The head carriage 14 defines the head end of the railway vehicle 10.

[0042] The head carriage 14 is here a motor vehicle carriage or locomotive, which is configured to provide driving energy to the vehicle 10, i.e., to push or pull the carriage 12.

[0043] For this purpose, a mechanical assembly or one of several mechanical assemblies is mounted on the head carriage 14.

[0044] In an advantageous embodiment, the railway vehicle 10 is configured to travel in two directions. The rear carriage 18 is also a locomotive capable of towing other carriages 12, 14.

[0045] Therefore, the rear compartment 20 contains one or more mechanical assemblies.

[0046] Advantageously, one of the mechanical assemblies 16 is also mounted on at least one of the transport carriages 12.

[0047] Mechanical assembly 16 extends mainly along the main axis A-A'.

[0048] The mechanical assembly 16 includes an electric motor 24, a housing 26 surrounding the electric motor 24, at least one cooling channel 27, and a cooling device 28.

[0049] Advantageously, the mechanical assembly 16 also includes a speed measuring device 30, which is configured to measure the rotational speed of the electric motor 24.

[0050] The electric motor 24 is powered by the current received from the pantograph 20.

[0051] The electric motor 24 is the traction motor of the vehicle 10. The electric motor 24 is configured to convert received electrical energy into mechanical energy, thereby enabling the wheels 22 to rotate and thus enabling the vehicle 10 to move.

[0052] exist Figure 4 In the example shown, motor 24 is a three-phase motor, including rotor 32, stator 34 and outer partition 35.

[0053] The rotor 32 is generally cylindrical in shape and extends along the main axis A-A'. The rotor 32 is rotatably mounted relative to the stator 34.

[0054] The stator 34 extends around the rotor 32.

[0055] Preferably, the rotary motor 32 is a synchronous motor.

[0056] As a variant, the rotary electric motor 32 is an asynchronous motor.

[0057] The outer partition 35 extends around the stator 34 and protects the interior of the motor 24.

[0058] The housing 26 includes a wall 36 surrounding the motor 24.

[0059] The housing 26 includes a side wall 36A, a front wall 36B, and a rear wall 36C surrounding the motor 24.

[0060] The cross section of sidewall 36A perpendicular to the principal axis A-A' has a generally rectangular shape, especially a square.

[0061] As a variation, the cross section of sidewall 36A perpendicular to the principal axis A-A' has a generally circular or polygonal shape.

[0062] The front wall 36B is designed to house the cooling device 28.

[0063] The wall 36 is provided with at least one through opening 38 for airflow to pass through for cooling the motor 24.

[0064] Advantageously, such as Figure 2 As can be seen, wall 36 includes multiple openings 38.

[0065] Opening 38 is specifically positioned on the front 36B of wall 36.

[0066] Each cooling channel 27 extends around the stator 34.

[0067] Each cooling channel 27 extends from one of the openings 38 and opens to the outside of the housing 26 at the rear wall 36C. Thus, each cooling channel 27 is configured to be fed airflow via at least one of the openings 38.

[0068] Each cooling channel 27 is located around the motor 24.

[0069] Specifically, each cooling channel 27 is in contact with the outer partition 35 of the motor 24.

[0070] Advantageously, each cooling channel 27 extends along the main axis A-A'.

[0071] Therefore, the cooling channel 27 extends from the front wall 36B to the rear wall 36C along the main axis A-A'.

[0072] During the operation of the motor 24, the motor 24 generates heat, which needs to be dissipated to ensure the proper operation of the motor 24.

[0073] The airflow circulation in each cooling channel 27 is... Figure 4 The arrows visible in the image indicate this.

[0074] During this cycle, the airflow recovers the heat generated by the electric motor and exhausts it outside the housing 26 and towards the outside of the vehicle 10.

[0075] The cooling device 28 is configured to cool the electric motor 20.

[0076] Specifically, the cooling device 28 is configured to generate airflow and deliver it into each opening 38 to cool the motor 24.

[0077] The cooling device 28 has a maximum lateral extension L between 0.1m and 1.6m.

[0078] The cooling device 28 includes a housing 40 and an electric fan 42.

[0079] The cross section of the casing 40 perpendicular to the main axis A-A' has a generally rectangular shape, or more specifically a square.

[0080] As a variation, the cross section of the casing 40 perpendicular to the main axis A-A' has a generally circular or polygonal profile.

[0081] In particular, when viewed along the main axis A-A', the housing 40 has a profile that corresponds to the profile of the housing 26.

[0082] The housing 40 has a first surface 48 and a second surface 50 opposite to the first surface 48. The cooling device 28 is designed to be fixed to the housing 26 by the housing 40 abutting against the housing 26, and more particularly by the second surface 50 abutting against the housing 26.

[0083] The first surface 48 advantageously has a generally convex shape, and is preferably profiled.

[0084] The first surface 48 has an air inlet 52 so that air 52 can enter the interior of the housing 40.

[0085] The air intake 52 has an advantageous shape of a circular opening, for example, located substantially at the center of the first surface 48.

[0086] Advantageously, the air inlet 52 has a maximum lateral extension D between 20% and 70% of the maximum lateral extension L of the cooling device 28.

[0087] The second face 50 advantageously has a generally concave hollow shape.

[0088] The second surface 50 advantageously defines a cavity 54 located outside the cooling device 28.

[0089] The second surface 50 has at least one air outlet 56. Each air outlet 56 of the second surface 50 is designed to be fluidly connected to at least one opening 38 of the housing 26 to feed air into the opening 38.

[0090] Here, the second surface 50 defines a single air outlet 56 in an annular shape that is basically located on the periphery of the second surface 50.

[0091] The housing 40 is made, for example, of a first part and different second parts assembled together, the first part defining a first surface 48 of the housing 40, and the second part 50 defining a second surface of the housing 40.

[0092] The two parts of the casing 40 are fixed together, for example, by means of screws.

[0093] The housing 40 is hollow and defines air ducts 58 that connect the air inlets 52 to each air outlet 56.

[0094] The cooling device 28 is configured to generate airflow in an air duct 58 between the air inlet 52 and each air outlet 56, thereby feeding airflow to one or more openings 38.

[0095] Specifically, the cooling device 28 is configured to allow airflow to circulate axially through the air inlet 52 relative to the main axis A-A', and then exit through a portion of the duct 58 away from the main axis A-A'.

[0096] The duct 58 is configured to continuously reduce the airflow velocity between the inlet 52 and each outlet 56.

[0097] Therefore, the duct 58 is a diffusion device.

[0098] Specifically, the airflow velocity in the duct 58 is decomposed into tangential and radial components relative to the main axis A-A'. The tangential component is generally larger than the radial component. The slowing of the tangential component follows a law inversely proportional to the distance from the main axis A-A'. The airflow gradually slows down tangentially as it moves away from the main axis A-A' towards the outlet 56. The radial component of the velocity varies according to the ratio between the cross-section perpendicular to the airflow at the inlet of the air duct 58 and the cross-section perpendicular to the outlet of the air duct 58.

[0099] The dimensions of the air duct 58 are set such that the absolute velocity of the airflow at the outlet 56 is less than the velocity of the airflow at the inlet 54 by means of a reduction in the tangential component of the velocity, regardless of the possible increase in radial velocity.

[0100] The reduction in airflow velocity in the air duct 58 allows the dynamic pressure of the airflow to be converted into useful static pressure. This restoration of static pressure allows for compensation of airflow load losses and reduction of aerodynamic noise of the cooling unit 28 by avoiding sudden fluctuations in airflow velocity and pressure caused by impacts and turbulence.

[0101] The electric fan 42 is installed inside the housing 40.

[0102] The electric fan 42 is configured to circulate air from the inlet 52 to each outlet 56.

[0103] Specifically, the electric fan 42 includes a rotary motor 60 with a rotating shaft 62 and a set of blades 64 fixed to the rotating shaft 62.

[0104] The electric fan 42 is configured to draw in airflow axially relative to the main axis A-A' through the air inlet 52 and circulate the airflow primarily radially relative to the main axis A-A' in that portion of the duct 58.

[0105] The cooling device 28 is configured to be fixed to the housing 26 by means of a removable fixing member 66, which abuts against the wall 36 of the housing 26 via the second surface 50 of the cover 40.

[0106] When the cooling device 28 and the housing 26 are fixed to each other, each air outlet 56 is opposite to the opening 38.

[0107] The fixing component 66 is, for example, a screw. Figure 2 In the example, the cooling device 28 is specifically secured by four screws arranged at the four corners of the housing 40.

[0108] As an option, such as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the cooling device includes a fin 44 located inside the duct 58.

[0109] The wing 44 is fixed relative to the housing 40.

[0110] The orientation of the wing 44 is determined based on the incident angle of the airflow at the wing 44. This incident angle depends on the ratio between the tangential and radial components of the airflow velocity.

[0111] The vane 44 is configured to guide the direction of airflow and limit airflow vortices. The vane 44 also participates in slowing down the airflow in the duct 58.

[0112] The cooling device preferably includes a power supply 46 for supplying power to the electric fan 42, and more particularly for supplying power to the motor 60, thereby enabling the blades 64 to rotate.

[0113] Advantageously, the power supply 46 is independent of the power supply to the motor 24.

[0114] Therefore, the rotational speed of the electric fan 42 can be independent of the rotational speed of the rotor 32 of the electric motor 24.

[0115] The speed measuring device 30 is configured to measure the rotational speed of the rotor 32 of the motor 24.

[0116] The speed measuring device 30 is located outside the housing 26, on the wall 36 of the housing 26, which has an opening 38 and is designed to accommodate the cooling device 28.

[0117] When the cooling device 28 is installed on the wall 36 of the housing 26, the speed measuring device 30 is housed in the cavity 54 of the second surface 50, between the second surface 50 and the wall 36 of the housing 26.

[0118] The speed measuring device 30 includes, for example, an encoder wheel mounted on one end of the output shaft of the motor that protrudes from the wall 36; and a speed sensor adapted to measure the rotational speed of the encoder wheel and located on the wall 36 of the housing 26.

[0119] The method for replacing the cooling device 28 will now be described.

[0120] Initially, the mechanical assembly 16 was mounted on the railway vehicle 10, enabling it to provide mechanical energy for the movement of the vehicle 10.

[0121] Then, when it is necessary to replace the cooling device 28 of the mechanical assembly 16 for, for example, maintenance reasons, the first cooling device 28 is removed from the housing 26.

[0122] Specifically, the removable retaining component 66 is removed to allow the first cooling device 28 and the housing 26 to be separated.

[0123] The method then includes the step of replacing the first cooling device 28 with another cooling device 28.

[0124] If the accessibility around the motor 24 allows, the motor 24 may be replaced without removing it from the railway vehicle 10.

[0125] Another cooling device 28 is fixed to the housing 26 via a fixing member 66.

[0126] Mechanical assembly 16 can then work again.

[0127] Therefore, it can be assumed that the present invention has a certain number of advantages.

[0128] The present invention enables easy and quick replacement of the cooling device 28 by simply removing the fixing component 66 without having to disassemble the housing 26.

[0129] This facilitates the maintenance of the cooling device 28 and enables an increase in the operational availability of the electric motor 24.

[0130] The present invention also makes it possible to replace the cooling device 28 with another cooling device 28 that is more suitable for operation designed for the motor 24. In particular, the cooling device 28 can be adapted to the expected operating point of the motor 24 by selecting the cooling device 28 whose geometry of the drainage channel 58 is most suitable.

[0131] Furthermore, the cooling device 28 is separate from the motor 24. Therefore, the rotational speed of the electric fan 42 is independent of the rotational speed of the rotor 32, thus allowing it to be optimally matched to the operating point of the motor 24.

[0132] Thus, the cooling performance of engine 24 was significantly improved through the cooling device.

[0133] Therefore, the present invention also enables the increase of the service life of the electric motor 24 and prevents any accidents caused by overheating of the electric motor 24.

[0134] Finally, the restoration of static pressure in distribution pipe 58 enables compensation for load loss and significantly reduces aerodynamic noise.

Claims

1. A cooling device (28) for a traction motor (24) of a vehicle (10), the motor (24) being surrounded by a housing (26) having a wall (36) having at least one opening (38) for airflow to enter for cooling the motor (24), the cooling device (28) comprising: - A housing (40) having a first side (48) and an opposing second side (50), the housing (40) defining an air duct (58) that connects an air inlet (52) on the first side (48) to at least one air outlet (56) on the second side (50); and - An electric fan (42) is installed inside the housing (40) and is configured to force airflow to circulate from the air inlet (52) to each air outlet (56), the electric fan (42) being configured to axially draw in the airflow through the air inlet (52) relative to the main axis (A-A') of the mechanical assembly (16) including the electric motor (24); The cooling device (28) is configured to be removably fixed to the housing (26) by abutting the second side (50) of the cover (40) against the wall (36) of the housing (26), wherein at least one of the vents (56) or vents (56) is axially opposite to one of the openings (38) when the cooling device (28) is fixed to the housing (26). The airflow circulates radially relative to the main axis (A-A') within the housing (40) of a portion of an air duct (58) disposed between the electric fan (42) and at least one air outlet (56), such that the air circulates away from the main axis (A-A') and flows, and then circulates through each air outlet (56) to reach each opening (38).

2. The cooling device (28) according to claim 1, wherein, The duct (58) is configured to continuously reduce the airflow velocity between the inlet and at least one outlet.

3. The cooling device (28) according to claim 1, comprising a single annular air outlet.

4. The cooling device (28) according to any one of claims 1-3 further includes a plurality of vanes (44) arranged in an air duct (58).

5. The cooling device (28) according to any one of claims 1-3, comprising a power supply (46) for the electric fan (42) independent of the power supply to the motor (24).

6. The cooling device (28) according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein, The second surface (50) of the cover (40) defines a cavity (54) such that the second surface (50) has a recessed hollow shape.

7. The cooling device (28) according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein, The traction motor (24) is the motor of the railway vehicle.

8. Mechanical assembly (16), comprising: - Traction motor (24) of vehicle (10). - A housing (26) surrounding the motor (24), the housing (26) including a wall (36) having at least one through opening (38) for airflow to pass through for cooling the motor (24). - The cooling device (28) according to any one of claims 1-3 is removably fixed to the housing, and the second side (50) of the cover (40) abuts against the wall (36) of the housing (26) such that airflow exiting through each air outlet (56) of the cover (40) is fed into one or more openings (38) of the wall (36).

9. The mechanical assembly (16) according to claim 8, wherein, The electric motor (24) includes a rotor (32) extending along the main axis (A-A') and a stator (34) extending around the rotor (32), and the mechanical assembly (16) includes at least one cooling channel (27) fed into by one or more openings (38) and extending around the stator (34).

10. The mechanical assembly (16) according to claim 9, wherein the cooling device (28) is the cooling device (28) according to claim 6, wherein, The mechanical assembly (16) includes a speed measuring device (30) for measuring the rotational speed of the rotor (32) of the motor (24), the speed measuring device (30) being arranged between the second surface (50) and the wall (36) of the housing (26) in the cavity (54).

11. A vehicle (10) comprising at least one mechanical assembly (16) according to any one of claims 8 to 10.

12. The vehicle (10) according to claim 11, wherein the vehicle (10) is a railway vehicle.

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