Propulsion device for an aircraft
By using a passively cooled radiator in the electric propulsion device, the heat from the electric motor and power module is discharged through heat conduction and convection, the problems of poor thermal management of the existing electric propulsion device cooling system and dependence on external mechanical components are solved, and efficient and reliable cooling effect is achieved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202380052035.7
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-07-07
- Filing Date
- 2023-06-29
- Publication Date
- 2025-02-28
AI Technical Summary
The cooling systems of existing electrical propulsion devices have problems with poor thermal management, increased volume and mass, prone to leakage and the need for external mechanical components.
Using a passively cooled radiator, the heat generated by the electric motor and the power module is transferred to the radiator through heat conduction and discharged heat through convection with the ambient air, efficient cooling without the need for external mechanical elements is achieved.
Cooling without external mechanical components is achieved, the risk of leakage is avoided, the cooling efficiency is improved, and the energy consumption of electric motors and power modules is reduced.
Smart Images
Figure CN119546521A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present specification relates to a propulsion device for an aircraft. In particular, the present specification relates to a propulsion device for an aircraft with electric or hybrid propulsion. Background Art
[0002] The goal of carbon emission limits in the aviation industry is pushing industrial companies to turn to electric or hybrid propulsion systems (hybrid means including both thermal and electric propulsion systems).
[0003] As is well known, e.g. Figure 1 The electric propulsion device shown comprises an electric motor 10 and an electric power module 20. The electric power module 20 is directly associated with the electric motor 10 in order to make the electric propulsion device compact and limit the wiring length.
[0004] The electric motor 10 is typically a permanent magnet synchronous motor. For this purpose, the electric motor 10 comprises an annular stator 10 and a rotor arranged inside the stator 10. The rotor comprises a shaft 12 extending along a longitudinal axis X.
[0005] The power module 20 comprises an annular housing 21 which defines a passage in the longitudinal direction and through which the shaft 12 of the rotor passes. By means of the power module 20, a DC voltage can be converted into an AC voltage, in particular a three-phase one, to power the electric motor 10. The DC voltage is delivered by a DC voltage source such as a battery. In order to allow electrical conversion, the power module 20 comprises a plurality of three-phase inverters which are mounted annularly on the housing 21 so as to be directly electrically linked to the stator 10. The power module 20 may further comprise three power modules per inverter, i.e. one power module for each inverter output, to power the stator 10 and rotate the shaft 12 of the rotor around the longitudinal axis X.
[0006] Because the electric motor 10 and the power module 20 form a single assembly, the power module 20 is installed in an adverse vibration and thermal environment. In order to limit the risk of failure and malfunction, a solution with redundancy is then provided. For this purpose, the power module 20 includes two parallel power channels that can be operated individually or together. The result of this situation is that the power module 20 includes a large number of power modules, which generates an even greater amount of heat.
[0007] To avoid failures and maintain optimal performance, the electric propulsion device and in particular the power module 20 then requires cooling. To this end, it is known to arrange a cooling circuit on or in the wall of the housing 21 of the power module 20 and feed it with a cooling fluid that can be used to cool the power module.
[0008] However, the cooling provided by this cooling system is limited. In addition, increasing its performance conflicts with the goal of reducing volume and mass. The cooling system further has the disadvantage of being prone to leakage and requires external mechanical elements to ensure its operation (e.g. a pump for the circulation of the fluid in the conduit). Summary of the invention
[0009] An aircraft propulsion device is proposed, the propulsion device comprising:
[0010] - an electric motor comprising an annular stator surrounding a longitudinal axis and a rotor arranged at least partially radially inside said stator so as to rotate around said longitudinal axis;
[0011] - a power module adapted to supply electricity to the electric motor, wherein the power module comprises an annular housing extending along the longitudinal axis, and wherein the housing of the power module comprises a first end arranged longitudinally opposite a first end of the stator of the electric motor;
[0012] - means for cooling the electric motor and the power module, wherein the cooling means comprises a heat sink longitudinally interposed between a first end of the stator of the electric motor and a first end of the housing of the power module.
[0013] The radiator is used to discharge the heat generated by the electric motor and the power module into the ambient air around the motor and the power module. The radiator is also used to discharge heat passively. In this sense, the radiator can be described as passive. In fact, due to the contact between the radiator and both the motor and the power module, the heat generated by the motor and the power module is transferred to the radiator by heat conduction. The heat is then discharged by convection with the ambient air. In this way, the radiator is distinguished from an active heat exchanger, which includes a working fluid circulating in an airtight conduit and discharges heat by means of the working fluid.
[0014] The radiator thus has the advantage of requiring no external mechanical elements for its operation and advantageously has no risk of leakage. This radiator is therefore more reliable.
[0015] The heat sink may be supported by a first end of the stator of the electric motor along the longitudinal axis and also supported on a first end of the housing of the power module. The heat sink may be supported on the first end of the stator of the electric motor along a first orientation in the longitudinal direction and supported on the first end of the housing of the power module along a second orientation in the longitudinal direction. The heat sink may include at least one first surface supported on the first end of the stator of the electric motor and at least one second surface supported on the first end of the housing of the power module longitudinally opposite the first surface.
[0016] The heat sink may comprise a radially outer surface without any contact with a solid conductive element, in particular a stator of the motor and / or a housing of the power module. The radially outer surface of the heat sink may be configured to allow heat transfer with ambient air outside the motor and the power module.
[0017] The stator of the electric motor and the housing of the power module may have sections perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the sections having the same shape and the same size. The stator of the electric motor may be a cylinder having a circular section extending along the longitudinal axis. The housing of the power module may be a cylinder having a circular section extending along the longitudinal axis. The circular section of the stator may have the same diameter as the circular section of the housing of the power module.
[0018] The housing of the power module and the stator of the electric motor may be joined to each other near their first ends. The stator and the first ends of the housing may be considered in a longitudinal direction. The housing may be connected to the stator of the electric motor, for example, by bolting.
[0019] The heat sink may include a disk extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, wherein the disk includes at least one first surface supported on a first end of the stator of the electric motor and at least one second surface supported on a first end of the housing of the power module longitudinally opposite the first surface.
[0020] The disk of the heat sink allows uniform heat removal around the longitudinal axis due to its circular shape. The disk may have the same diameter as the circular segment of the stator of the motor and the circular segment of the housing of the power module. The radially outer surface of the heat sink may be a cylinder of revolution around the longitudinal axis.
[0021] The heat sink may comprise at least one fin extending radially outwards from the periphery of the disk, wherein the heat sink preferably comprises a plurality of fins evenly distributed around the longitudinal axis, and wherein the fins of the heat sink are again preferably arranged in groups of at least two fins. Furthermore, the at least one fin may extend radially outwards from the radially outer surface of the disk. The fins serve to increase the surface for heat exchange by convection between the disk and ambient air, thereby improving the performance of the heat sink.
[0022] The heat sink may be made of a material suitable for dissipating heat. The heat sink may be made of metal, in particular aluminum or copper.
[0023] The rotor may include a shaft extending along a longitudinal axis, wherein the shaft continues radially inside the housing of the power module, and wherein the heat sink includes an opening through which the shaft of the rotor extends. The shaft may protrude from a longitudinal end of the housing of the power module opposite the electric motor. The shaft may drive a propeller of the propulsion device, possibly via a transmission.
[0024] The cooling member may comprise at least one annular row of blades fastened to a shaft of the rotor, wherein the annular row of blades is arranged radially inside the housing and wherein the annular row of blades is shaped for propelling air flow over the heat sink as it rotates about the longitudinal axis by means of the shaft.
[0025] The air flow blowing on the radiator serves to improve the removal of the heat accumulated in the radiator by forced convection. The cooling of the radiator and the cooling of the electric motor and the power module are thus improved. In addition, the drive of the blades is implemented by the rotation of the shaft of the rotor, so no additional mechanical elements are required. This serves to minimize the energy consumption required to cool the electric motor and the power module, and also to reduce possible sources of failure.
[0026] The housing may include an end wall extending in a longitudinal direction transversely to, preferably perpendicularly to, the longitudinal axis near a second end of the housing, wherein the housing includes at least one inlet opening formed through the end wall to provide a passage for air flow from the exterior of the housing to the interior of the housing. The housing may, for example, include four inlet openings. The inlet openings may be evenly distributed around the longitudinal axis. The second end of the housing may be opposite to the first end of the housing.
[0027] The housing may include at least one outlet opening near the first end to provide a passage for air flow from the inside of the housing to the outside of the housing. The housing may include a cylindrical wall extending along the longitudinal axis. Each outlet opening may be formed through the cylindrical wall. The housing may, for example, include six outlet openings. The outlet openings may be evenly distributed around the longitudinal axis. Each outlet opening may be formed near the longitudinal end of the housing opposite to the radiator through the cylindrical wall.
[0028] The cooling member may comprise at least one cooling circuit arranged on the periphery of the stator of the motor and / or on the periphery of the housing of the power module. A cooling fluid may circulate to produce heat exchange with the stator of the motor and / or the housing of the power module when applicable. The cooling fluid may be oil or any other suitable heat transfer fluid. A cooling member comprising a combination of a radiator and said at least one cooling circuit allows increased cooling of the stator of the electric motor and the housing of the power module without increasing the volume of the propulsion device. Furthermore, the presence of two distinct components involved in the cooling allows redundancy of the cooling member. In other words, cooling of the electric motor or the power module may be accomplished even in the event of a failure of the cooling circuit or the radiator.
[0029] The cooling means may comprise a cooling circuit arranged on the periphery of the stator of the electric motor and a cooling circuit arranged on the periphery of the housing of the power module. Each cooling circuit may comprise at least one inlet nozzle and one outlet nozzle for a cooling fluid. Each cooling circuit may be formed entirely in one wall of the stator and / or the housing.
[0030] The electric motor may comprise N input connectors, wherein N>1. Each input connector may be arranged on a radially outer surface of the stator near a first longitudinal end of the stator. The input connectors may be evenly distributed around the longitudinal axis.
[0031] The power module may include N output connectors. Each output connector may be arranged on the radial outer surface of the housing near the first longitudinal end of the housing. The output connectors may be evenly distributed around the longitudinal axis. Each output connector of the power module may be electrically linked (i.e., connected) to an input connector of the electric motor. Each output connector may be arranged longitudinally opposite to the input connector of the motor so as to be electrically linked thereto. Each assembly formed by the input connector and the output connector linked to each other forms an electrical link between the electric motor and the power module. Each input connector and each output connector may be protected by a cover.
[0032] According to a preferred embodiment, N is equal to 6. Two circumferentially consecutive output connectors may be separated from each other by an angle of 60° around the longitudinal axis. Two circumferentially consecutive input connectors may be separated from each other by an angle of 60° around the longitudinal axis. The heat sink may include N groups of heat sink fins. The heat sink fins of each group may be circumferentially arranged between two circumferentially consecutive electrical links.
[0033] Each outlet opening of the housing of the power module may be arranged circumferentially between two circumferentially consecutive output connectors.
[0034] The electric motor may be a permanent magnet synchronous motor. The motor may be a star-mounted three-phase motor. Each input connector and each output connector may be three-phase. The power module may include N inverters and a plurality of power modules. Each inverter may be linked to three power modules, each of which is linked to an output phase of one of the output connectors of the power module. Each inverter and each power module are mounted on the housing of the power module, in particular on the radial inner surface or radial outer surface of the housing. The inverters may be evenly distributed around the longitudinal axis. Similarly, the power modules may be evenly distributed around the longitudinal axis. The power modules may be arranged alternately on the radial inner surface and the radial outer surface of the housing circumferentially. Each inverter is used to convert a DC voltage provided by a DC voltage source such as a battery into an alternating current. The power module may allow the distribution of power between 400kW and 1MW.
[0035] According to another aspect, an aircraft is proposed, comprising at least one propulsion device such as described above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0036] Other features, details and advantages will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon examining the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0037] Figure 1 A perspective view showing an assembly for electric propulsion according to the state of the art;
[0038] Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing a longitudinal section of an assembly for electric propulsion according to the present description;
[0039] Figure 3 Show Figure 2 a perspective exploded view of an assembly of;
[0040] Figure 4 Show Figure 2 A schematic cross-sectional exploded view of an assembly of
[0041] Figure 5 Shown in section plane VV Figure 2 A schematic cross-sectional view of a power module of the assembly;
[0042] Figure 6 Show Figure 2 Front schematic diagram of the heat sink of the assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0043] Reference now Figures 2 to 6 . Figures 2 to 4 A propulsion device for an aircraft with electric or hybrid propulsion is shown. The propulsion device comprises an electric motor 10, an electric power module 20 and cooling means for the electric motor 10 and the electric power module 20.
[0044] The electric motor 10 may be a permanent magnet synchronous motor. The electric motor 10 may be a three-phase star-mounted motor. The motor comprises an annular stator 11 around a longitudinal axis X, and a rotor arranged partially radially inside the stator 11 so as to rotate around the longitudinal axis X. The rotor comprises a shaft 12 extending along the longitudinal axis X. The shaft 12 may drive a propeller of a propulsion device via a transmission.
[0045] In the present disclosure, the longitudinal direction corresponds to the direction of the longitudinal axis X. The longitudinal axis X coincides with the axis of rotation of the rotating part of the propulsion device. Directional qualifiers such as "longitudinal", "radial" or "circumferential" are defined with reference to the longitudinal axis. The radial direction is the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X. At a point away from the longitudinal axis, the circumferential direction corresponds to the direction perpendicular to the axial direction and the radial direction.
[0046] Furthermore, unless otherwise indicated, the adjectives "inner," "inner," "outer," and "outer" are used with reference to a radial direction such that an inner / inner portion of an element (i.e., radially inner / inner) is closer to the longitudinal axis than an outer / outer (radially outer / outer) portion of the same element.
[0047] The power module 20 is suitable for powering the electric motor 10 with electricity. The power module 20 comprises an annular housing 21 extending along the longitudinal axis X. The housing 12 is therefore hollow. In other words, the housing 21 defines a longitudinal passage. The housing 21 for the power module 20 comprises a first end arranged longitudinally opposite to a first end of the stator 11 of the electric motor 10. The first end of the stator 11 and the first end of the housing 21 are each considered in the longitudinal direction. The shaft 12 extends radially to the interior of the housing 21 of the power module 21. And, the shaft 12 protrudes from a second longitudinal end of the housing 21 of the power module 20, which is opposite to the electric motor 10. The second end of the housing 21 is longitudinally opposite to the first end.
[0048] The housing 21 comprises a cylindrical wall 22 extending along the longitudinal axis X. The housing 21 further comprises an end wall 23 extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis X in the vicinity of the second end of the housing 21 in the longitudinal direction. The first and second ends of the housing 21 coincide with the first and second ends of the cylindrical wall 22, respectively (also considered in the longitudinal direction). The end wall 23 of the housing 21 comprises here an orifice for the passage of the shaft 12 of the rotor.
[0049] Obviously, the stator 11 of the electric motor 10 and the housing 21 of the power module 20 here have sections perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X, which have the same shape and the same size. The stator 11 of the electric motor 10 is a cylinder with a circular section extending along the longitudinal axis X. The housing 21 of the power module 20 is also a cylinder with a circular section extending along the longitudinal axis X. The circular section of the stator 11 has the same diameter as the circular section of the housing 21 of the power module 20.
[0050] The housing 21 of the power module 20 and the stator 11 of the electric motor 10 may be engaged with each other near their respective first ends. The housing 21 may be connected to the stator 11 of the electric motor 10, for example, by bolting.
[0051] The electric motor 10 here comprises six input connectors 13. The power module 20 comprises six output connectors 26. Each output connector 26 of the power module 20 is thus electrically linked (i.e. connected) to the input connector 13 of the electric motor 10 to allow the power module 20 to supply power to the electric motor 10. Each input connector 13 and each output connector 26 may be three-phase. Each assembly comprising an input connector 13 and an output connector 26 linked to each other thus forms an electrical link between the electric motor 10 and the power module 20. Each electrical link is here protected by a corresponding cover.
[0052] Each input connector 13 is arranged on the radial outer surface of the stator 11 near the first longitudinal end of the stator 11. Each output connector 26 is arranged on the radial outer surface of the housing 21 near the first longitudinal end of the housing 21. The output connectors 26 and the input connectors 13 are evenly distributed around the longitudinal axis. Two circumferentially consecutive output connectors 26 and the corresponding input connector are therefore separated from each other by an angle of 60° around the longitudinal axis X. Each output connector 26 is also arranged longitudinally opposite to the input connector 13 of the motor so as to be electrically linked thereto. The length of the wiring is thus minimized.
[0053] The power module 20 further includes six inverters and a plurality of power modules 27. Figure 5 . Each inverter is linked to three power modules 27, each of which is linked to an output phase of one of the output connectors 26 of the power module 20. The power module 20 therefore comprises 18 power modules 27 here. Each inverter and each power module 27 are mounted on the housing 21 of the power module 20, in particular on the radial inner surface or the radial outer surface of the housing 21. Specifically, the power modules 27 are arranged alternately circumferentially on the radial inner surface and the radial outer surface of the housing 21. The inverters and power modules 27 may also be evenly distributed around the longitudinal axis X. Each inverter is used to convert a DC voltage provided by a DC voltage source such as a battery into alternating current. The power module 20 may allow power between 400kW and 1MW to be distributed to the electric motor 10.
[0054] The cooling member first includes a heat sink 30. The heat sink 30 is Figure 6 Shown separately in.
[0055] The heat sink 30 is longitudinally inserted between the first end of the stator 11 of the electric motor 10 and the first end of the housing 21 of the power module 20. The heat sink 30 is thus supported on the first end of the stator 11 of the electric motor 10 along a first orientation in the longitudinal direction and supported on the first end of the housing 21 of the power module 20 along a second orientation in the longitudinal direction. For this purpose, the heat sink 30 includes at least one first surface supported on the first end of the stator 11 of the electric motor 10 and at least one second surface supported on the first end of the housing 21 of the power module 20 and longitudinally opposite to the first surface. The heat sink 30 is used to dissipate the heat generated by the electric motor 10 (by Figure 2 and the heat generated by the power module 20 (indicated by the arrow C1 on Figure 2The heat sink 30 is also used to passively discharge heat. In this sense, the heat sink 30 can be described as passive. In fact, due to the contact between the heat sink 30 and the motor and the power module 20, the heat generated by the motor and the power module 20 is transferred to the heat sink 30 by thermal conduction. The heat is then discharged by convection with the ambient air. To this end, the heat sink 30 includes a radial outer surface 34 that is not in any contact with a solid conductive element, which is in particular the stator 11 of the motor 10 and / or the housing 21 of the power module 20. The radial outer surface 34 of the heat sink 30 is therefore configured to allow heat transfer with the ambient air outside the motor and the power module. In this way, the heat sink 30 is distinguished from an active heat exchanger, which includes a working fluid circulating in an airtight conduit and discharges heat with the help of the working fluid. Therefore, the heat sink 30 has the advantage that no external mechanical elements are required for its operation, and advantageously there is no risk of leakage. This heat sink 30 is therefore more reliable.
[0056] To improve the heat exchange, the heat sink can be made of a material suitable for dissipating the heat. This material advantageously has a thermal conductivity that allows the heat to be removed. The thermal conductivity can be, for example, higher than 45 W·m -1 ·K -1 , preferably higher than 100 W·m -1 ·K -1 , preferably even higher than 200 W·m -1 ·K -1 , preferably even higher than 400W·m -1 ·K -1 The heat sink can be made of metal, in particular aluminum or copper.
[0057] The heat sink 30 includes a disk 31 extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis X. The disk 31 includes at least one first surface supported on a first end of the stator 11 of the electric motor 10 and at least one second surface supported on a first end of the housing 21 of the power module 20 and longitudinally opposite to the first surface. The first surface and the second surface of the disk 31 extend perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis X. The first surface and the second surface of the disk 31 are shown in this example as being in contact with the stator 11 and the housing 21, respectively, near the periphery of the disk 31. Also, the first surface and the second surface of the disk 31 may each include an annular band around the longitudinal axis X, which is in contact with the stator 11 and the housing 21, respectively. The disk 31 of the heat sink allows uniform heat discharge around the longitudinal axis X (given by the circular shape) due to its circular shape. Figure 6 ). Obviously, the disk 31 has substantially the same diameter as the circular section of the stator 11 of the motor and the circular section of the housing 21 of the power module 20 .
[0058] The radially outer surface 34 of the heat sink 30 has here a cylindrical shape of revolution about the longitudinal axis X.
[0059] The heat sink 30 further comprises at least one fin 32 extending radially outwards from the periphery of the disk 31 or even here from the radially outer surface 34. In the example shown, the heat sink 30 comprises a plurality of fins 32 evenly distributed around the longitudinal axis X. The fins 32 of the heat sink 30 are arranged in groups G of at least two fins 32. Here, by way of example, each group G comprises five fins 32. The fins 32 of each group G can be arranged circumferentially between two circumferentially consecutive electrical links. The heat sink 30 thus comprises here six groups G of fins 32. The fins 32 serve to increase the surface for heat exchange by convection between the disk 31 and the ambient air, thereby improving the performance of the heat sink 30.
[0060] Finally, the heat sink 30 comprises an opening 33 through which the shaft 12 of the rotor extends. The opening 33 is here centred on the longitudinal axis X. The opening 33 has a circular shape.
[0061] The cooling member further comprises an annular row of blades 40 fastened to the shaft 12 of the rotor. The annular row of blades 40 is radially arranged inside the housing 21. The annular row of blades 40 is shaped to drive the air flow F above the radiator 30 when it rotates around the longitudinal axis X by means of the shaft 12. The radial inner end of each blade 40 can be directly connected to the shaft 12. In other words, each blade 40 can extend radially outward from the shaft 12. According to a variant, a disc (or annular platform) can be provided, the disc is mounted on the shaft 12 and each of the blades 40 is mounted on the disc. Alternatively, a plurality of annular blades 40 placed longitudinally one after another can be provided inside the housing 21, each of the plurality of annular blades being similar to the annular blades described in the case of the illustrated example.
[0062] The air flow F blowing on the radiator 30 is used to improve the discharge of the heat accumulated in the radiator 30 by forced convection. The cooling of the radiator 30 and the cooling of the electric motor 10 and the power module 20 are thus improved. In addition, the driving blades 40 is implemented by the rotation of the shaft 12 of the rotor, and therefore no additional mechanical elements are required. This is used to minimize the energy consumption required to cool the electric motor 10 and the power module 20, and also to reduce possible sources of failure.
[0063] In order to allow the passage of an air flow F to the interior of the housing 21 , said housing comprises at least one inlet opening 24 and at least one outlet opening 25 .
[0064] Each inlet opening 24 is formed through the end wall 23 in order to ensure the passage of the air flow F from the outside of the housing 21 towards the inside of the housing 21. The housing 21 here comprises, for example, four inlet openings 24. The inlet openings 24 are evenly distributed around the longitudinal axis X. Alternatively, each inlet opening 24 may be formed through the cylindrical wall 22 near the second longitudinal end of the housing 21.
[0065] Each outlet opening 25 is formed near the first end in order to ensure the passage of the air flow F from the inside of the housing 21 towards the outside of the housing 21. Each outlet opening 25 is formed here through the cylindrical wall 22 of the housing 21. The housing 21 may, for example, comprise six outlet openings 25. Each outlet opening 25 may be circumferentially arranged between two circumferentially consecutive output connectors 26. The outlet openings 25 may be evenly distributed around the longitudinal axis X.
[0066] The cooling member further includes a first cooling circuit arranged on the periphery of the stator 11 of the motor and a second cooling circuit 50 arranged on the periphery of the housing 21 of the power module 20. The cooling fluid circulates in each of the cooling circuits to generate heat exchange with the stator 11 of the motor and / or the housing 21 of the power module 20, respectively. Figure 5 As can be seen in the figure, the second cooling circuit 50 is completely formed in the cylindrical wall 22 of the housing 21. Each cooling circuit includes at least one inlet nozzle 51 and at least one outlet nozzle 52 for the cooling fluid. Each cooling circuit is therefore independent. In other words, the first cooling circuit and the second cooling circuit 50 operate in parallel. Alternatively, the first cooling circuit and the second cooling circuit 50 can be connected in series, that is, there is a fluid connection between them. For example, the fluid can further pass through the second cooling circuit 50 and then pass through the first cooling circuit. In other words, the first cooling circuit and the second cooling circuit 50 can form a single cooling circuit.
[0067] The cooling means comprising the combination of the radiator 30 and the cooling circuit allow the cooling of the stator 11 of the electric motor 10 and the housing 21 of the power module 20 to be increased without increasing the volume of the propulsion device. In addition, the presence of two distinct components involved in the cooling allows redundancy of the cooling means. In other words, even in the event of a failure of one of the cooling circuits or the radiator 30, the cooling of the electric motor 10 or the power module 20 can be achieved.
Claims
1. An aircraft propulsion device, the propulsion device comprising: - an electric motor (10) comprising an annular stator (11) around a longitudinal axis (X) and a rotor arranged at least partially radially inside said stator (11) so as to rotate around said longitudinal axis (X); - a power module (20) adapted to supply electricity to the electric motor (10), wherein the power module (20) It comprises an annular housing (21) extending along the longitudinal axis (X), and wherein the power module (20) The housing (21) comprises a first end arranged longitudinally opposite to a first end of the stator (11) of the electric motor (10); - A member for cooling the electric motor (10) and the power module (20), wherein the cooling member comprises a heat sink (30) longitudinally inserted between a first end of the stator (11) of the electric motor (10) and a first end of the housing (21) of the power module (20).
2. Propulsion device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that The heat sink (30) includes a disk (31) extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X), wherein the disk (31) includes at least one first surface supported on a first end of the stator (11) of the electric motor (10) and at least one second surface supported on a first end of the housing (21) of the power module (20) and longitudinally opposite to the first surface.
3. Propulsion device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that The heat sink (30) comprises at least one cooling fin (32) extending radially outward from the periphery of the disk (31), wherein the heat sink (30) preferably comprises a plurality of cooling fins (32) evenly distributed around the longitudinal axis (X), and wherein the cooling fins (32) of the heat sink (30) are again preferably arranged in groups (G) of at least two cooling fins (32).
4. A propulsion device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The rotor comprises a shaft (12) extending along the longitudinal axis (X), wherein the shaft (12) continues radially inside the housing (21) of the power module (20), and wherein the heat sink (30) comprises an opening (33) through which the shaft (12) of the rotor extends.
5. Propulsion device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that The cooling member comprises at least one annular row of blades (40) fastened to the shaft (12) of the rotor, wherein the annular row of blades (40) are arranged radially inside the housing (21), and wherein the annular row of blades (40) are shaped for propelling an air flow (F) over the heat sink (30) when it rotates about the longitudinal axis (X) by means of the shaft (12).
6. Propulsion device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that The housing (21) comprises an end wall (23) extending in a longitudinal direction transversely to, preferably perpendicularly to, the longitudinal axis (X) near the second end of the housing (21), wherein the housing (21) comprises at least one inlet opening (24) formed through the end wall (23) to provide a passage for the air flow (F) from the outside of the housing (21) to the inside of the housing (22).
7. The propulsion device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that: The housing (21) includes at least one outlet opening (25) near the first end to provide a passage for the air flow (F) from the interior of the housing (21) to the exterior of the housing (21).
8. A propulsion device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The cooling means comprises at least one cooling circuit (50) arranged on the periphery of the stator (11) of the motor (10) and / or on the periphery of the housing (21) of the power module (20), and wherein a cooling fluid circulates to produce heat exchange with the stator (11) of the motor (10) and / or the housing (21) of the power module (20) when applicable.