Thermally improved electric motor

Abstract

An exemplary stator for an electric motor includes a lamination stack having a plurality of segments arranged adjacent to one another in a radial array, slots formed in segments of the plurality of segments of the lamination stack, slot liners disposed in the slots and configured to be electrically insulating, thermally conductive gap fillers disposed in gaps between the slot liners and the segments, and windings disposed in the slots.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 909,850, filed October 3, 2019, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to systems and assemblies including electric motors with improved thermal characteristics and improved heat transfer to the electric motor's surrounding environment. [Background technology]

[0003] An electric motor is an electric machine that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy. Most electric motors work by the interaction of the motor's magnetic field with currents in the windings to produce force in the form of shaft rotation. Electric motors can be powered from a direct current (DC) source such as a battery, an automobile, or a rectifier, or from an alternating current (AC) source such as a power grid, an inverter, or a generator.

[0004] The torque and power produced at the motor's shaft is limited by the amount of current or power introduced through the windings. If the current is increased beyond a certain limit, the temperature of the windings will increase and can cause damage to the wires and the electric motor.

[0005] It may therefore be desirable to have an electric motor with improved thermal characteristics to increase heat transfer from the windings, thereby reducing the temperature of the windings for a given current draw, preventing damage to the motor, and allowing for increased current limiting. It is with respect to these and other considerations that the disclosure made herein is presented. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present disclosure describes implementations related to electric motors with improved thermal characteristics.

[0007] In a first exemplary implementation, the present disclosure describes a stator for an electric motor, the stator including: (i) a lamination stack, (ii) slots formed in the lamination stack, (iii) slot liners disposed in the slots and configured to be electrically insulating, (iv) a thermally conductive gap filler disposed in gaps between the slot liner and the lamination stack, and (v) windings disposed in the slots.

[0008] In a second exemplary implementation, the present disclosure describes an assembly of an electric motor. The assembly includes a stator having an open annular space. The stator includes: (i) a lamination stack including a plurality of segments arranged adjacent to one another in a radial array; (ii) a plurality of slots formed between adjacent segments of the plurality of segments of the lamination stack; (iii) respective slot liners disposed in the plurality of slots and configured to be electrically insulating; (iv) thermally conductive gap fillers disposed in respective gaps between the respective slot liners and the plurality of segments of the lamination stack; and (v) windings disposed in the plurality of slots. The assembly further includes a rotor disposed in the open annular space of the stator and including a steel core and a plurality of magnets arranged in respective radial arrays around the steel core.

[0009] In a third exemplary implementation, the present disclosure describes a method that includes (i) providing a segment of a lamination stack of a stator of an electric motor, the lamination stack segment comprising a slot, (ii) providing a slot liner formed of an electrically insulating material, (iii) applying a thermally conductive gap filler to an outer surface of the slot liner, (iv) inserting the slot liner with the thermally conductive gap filler applied thereto into the slot of the lamination stack segment such that the thermally conductive gap filler is disposed between the outer surface of the slot liner and the segment, and (v) winding a wire around the segment such that the slot liner and the thermally conductive gap filler are disposed between the wire and the segment.

[0010] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the exemplary aspects, implementations, and features described above, further aspects, implementations, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description. Effect of the Invention

[0011] The novel features believed to be characteristic of the illustrative examples are set forth in the appended claims. However, the illustrative examples, as well as the preferred mode of use, further objects and the description thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative examples of the present disclosure when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electric motor according to an exemplary implementation. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a stator and a rotor mounted within the stator, according to an example implementation. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a stator lamination stack according to an exemplary implementation. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of insulating slot liners disposed in respective slots of a lamination stack according to an example implementation. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an individual slot liner according to an example implementation. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating components associated with a segment of a lamination stack prior to assembly and winding of stator wires, according to an example implementation. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 illustrates a segment of a lamination stack after components have been assembled and wire wound, according to an exemplary implementation. [Figure 8]FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of a segment of a lamination stack according to an example implementation. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the placement of thermally conductive gap fillers in the gaps between the slot liners and the segments of the lamination stack, and between the cooling tubes and the segments of the lamination stack, according to an exemplary implementation. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the placement of thermally conductive gap fillers across the interfaces between the slot liners and the segments of the lamination stack, and between the cooling tubes and the segments of the lamination stack, in accordance with an exemplary implementation. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a method for assembling a stator or electric motor, according to an example implementation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] The torque and power produced at the shaft of an electric motor can be limited by the amount of current or power introduced through the windings of the electric motor. If the current is increased beyond a certain limit, it can cause damage to the wires and the motor.

[0014] Among other examples, disclosed herein are systems and assemblies relating to electric motors with improved thermal and heat transfer characteristics. In particular, the disclosed systems use a thermally conductive gap filler between a winding insulation liner and a lamination stack of the electric motor. The thermally conductive gap filler may also be disposed between a cooling tube of the electric motor and a lamination stack channel in which the cooling tube is disposed. The thermally conductive gap filler may improve heat transfer from the windings of the electric motor.

[0015] Improved heat transfer allows the electric motor's current limit to be increased, thereby producing higher torque and power from the same electric motor, and improved heat transfer also allows the electric motor to run at a lower temperature for a given torque output, thereby improving the efficiency of the electric motor.

[0016] 1 illustrates a perspective view of an electric motor 100, according to an exemplary embodiment. The electric motor 100 includes a stator 102. The stator 102 is configured to generate a magnetic field. In particular, as described below, the stator 102 may include windings wrapped around a lamination stack, such that when an electric current is provided to the windings, a magnetic field is generated. The stator 102 may also include mounting locations 103 to enable attachment of the electric motor 100 to a machine or device utilizing the electric motor 100.

[0017] The electric motor 100 further includes a rotor 104. The stator 102 may have an open annular space in which the rotor 104 is disposed. The rotor 104 may be attached with magnets that can interact with a magnetic field generated by the stator 102 to rotate and generate torque. The rotor 104 may rotate relative to the stator 102 by being attached to the stator 102 via bearings 106, for example.

[0018] A shaft 108 may be coupled to the rotor 104, where the shaft 108 is configured to transmit torque generated by the rotor 104, for example, to a gearbox or a machine component to rotate such component. The electric motor 100 may include another mounting location 109 to further facilitate mounting the electric motor 100 to a machine that utilizes the generated torque and the resulting rotational motion of the shaft 108.

[0019] Electric motor 100 may include other components, such as feedback devices 110 (e.g., sensors) that provide sensor information indicative of the position of rotor 104 to an electronic controller of electric motor 100. The electronic controller can then energize the windings of stator 102 at the appropriate times to achieve the desired torque.

[0020] Cables 112 may be used to supply current to the windings of the stator 102. Cables 112 may also be used to transmit electrical signals generated by feedback device 110 to indicate the position of the rotor 104 to the amplifier.

[0021] 2 illustrates a perspective view of an assembly 200 of a stator 102 and a rotor 104 mounted within the stator 102, according to an exemplary embodiment. The stator 102 may have a steel core. The stator 102 may include a lamination stack. The lamination stack may be made as a single piece (e.g., a unitary structure) or may comprise multiple segments, as described below with respect to FIG. 3.

[0022] Electrical wire is wound on the segments of the lamination stack. For example, FIG. 2 shows individual coils (bundles of wire), such as coil 201, wound on the segments of the stator 102. The coils are separated from each other to prevent electrical shorts from occurring. When an electric current is provided to the wire, the coils can act as electromagnets and generate a magnetic field.

[0023] The rotor 104 may also have a steel core. The rotor 104 may further have a plurality of magnets (e.g., permanent magnets), such as magnet 202, arranged in a radial or circumferential array around the steel core of the rotor 104.

[0024] Current provided to the coils of the stator 102 may be provided in a particular sequence to the individual coils of each segment of the stator 102. In this manner, the magnetic field generated by the coils of the stator may effectively move or change in a circular fashion around the stator 102. The magnetic field interacts with the magnets of the rotor 104, and such interaction of the magnetic field with the magnets causes the rotor 104 (and the shaft 108 coupled thereto) to rotate.

[0025] 3 illustrates a perspective view of a lamination stack 300 of the stator 102, according to an example implementation. As shown in FIG. 3, the lamination stack 300 is generally donut-shaped with an open annular space 302 in which the rotor 104 can be placed. The lamination stack 300 comprises laminated electrical steel sheets. Lamination is a technique / process of manufacturing materials in multiple layers such that the composite material achieves improved strength, stability, acoustic insulation, appearance, or other desirable electrical properties.

[0026] The lamination stack 300 is made of silicon steel, also known as electrical steel, which comprises steel with added silicon. The addition of silicon to the steel increases the electrical resistance, improves the ability of magnetic fields to penetrate the steel, and reduces the hysteresis losses of the steel. The lamination stack 300 represents the core of the stator 102 and is laminated and insulated to reduce induced circulating currents and associated heat when current is modulated by the windings of the stator 102.

[0027] In an example, the lamination stack 300 can be fabricated as a single, non-segmented part or component. For example, the lamination stack 300 can have teeth similar to a gear and can be configured to receive wires through slots or spaces between the teeth.

[0028] In another example, lamination stack 300 includes multiple segments, such as segment 304, segment 306, and segment 308, disposed adjacent to each other in a radial array and in contact with each other. The segments are generally formed or shaped as an I-beam with C-shaped side channels or slots on both sides thereof. Thus, when two adjacent segments abut each other, a slot is formed between them, comprising the C-shaped channels or respective slots of the two adjacent segments. For example, slot 310 is formed between segment 304 and segment 306, and slot 312 is formed between segment 306 and segment 308. Although the following description refers to the multi-segment structure of lamination stack 300, it should be understood that a similar description applies to a lamination stack having a unitary structure and made as a single component that is not segmented. Such components can have holes, channels, or slots similar to slots 310, 312 made therein to receive slot liners as described below.

[0029] Each of the slots 310, 312 comprises one slot (a partial slot) formed in one segment of the lamination stack 300 and a second slot (a partial slot) formed in an adjacent segment of the lamination stack 300. The term "slot" is used herein to refer to a complete slot, such as slot 310 or slot 312, and also to refer to an individual slot or partial slot (C-shaped channel) in a segment of the lamination stack. Wire is wound into the slots of the lamination stack 300 in a wire bundle or coil, such as coil 201 shown in FIG. 2.

[0030] When current is provided to the wires, the temperature of the wires increases and heat is generated. The heat is sometimes referred to as winding losses. The increased temperature of the wires can cause damage and limit the performance of electric motor 100, as explained below.

[0031] In an example, the lamination stack 300 can be liquid cooled to cool the lamination stack 300 and the wires disposed therein. As illustrated in FIG. 3, each of the segments can have a channel disposed therein that is semicircular in shape. For example, segment 304 has a semicircular channel 314 disposed longitudinally across the periphery of the segment 304. Tubes can be disposed through the semicircular channel 314, and cooling fluid can be provided through such tubes to absorb a portion of the heat generated by the wires and cool the lamination stack 300 and the wires disposed therein.

[0032] The coils of the stator 102 are individually energized as described above to generate a moving or changing magnetic field. Therefore, it is desirable to electrically insulate the wires of the coils from the lamination stack 300 to prevent short circuits or electrical connections between the wires of two adjacent coils. To isolate the wires from the segments of the lamination stack 300, insulating liners can be placed in the slots of the lamination stack 300 to act as electrical insulators. For example, a paper liner can be used as the thermal insulating liner.

[0033] FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of insulating slot liners disposed in respective slots of lamination stack 300 according to an exemplary implementation, and FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of an individual slot liner 500. The slots of lamination stack 300 can receive therein respective insulating paper slot liners shown in the radial array of FIG. 4. For example, insulating paper slot liner 400 can be inserted into slot 310, insulating paper slot liner 402 can be inserted into slot 312. In an example, the insulating paper slot liner can be comprised of two individual slot liners, each of which can have a U-shape or C-shape, such that when they meet at their lateral edges, a slot or channel is formed between them through which the wires of the coils of stator 102 are disposed.

[0034] 5 shows an example of such a slot liner 500. The slot liner 500 can have a first side portion 502, a second side portion 504, and a connecting portion 506 that joins or connects the side portion 502 to the side portion 504. With this configuration, the slot liner 500 forms a channel therein (e.g., a C-shaped channel).

[0035] Two slot liners similar to slot liner 500 are placed next to each other such that the respective edges of the side portions of the slot liners abut each other (i.e., the connections do not abut each other, but rather are positioned opposite each other with their respective C-channels positioned therebetween) to form the insulating paper slot liner of the insulating paper slot liner shown in Figure 4. The slot liners (e.g., slot liner 500) can be individually inserted into the slots of each segment of the lamination stack 300.

[0036] In another example, insulating paper slot liners 400, 402 can be made as a single rectangular liner rather than two separate slot liners. In yet another example, rather than having separate insulating paper slot liners such as insulating paper slot liners 400, 402, the slot liner for the entire lamination stack 300 can be made as a single component that goes all the way around and lines each slot in the lamination stack 300.

[0037] 6 illustrates components associated with a segment 600 of lamination stack 300 prior to assembly of stator 102 and wire winding, according to an example implementation. Segment 600 may represent any of the segments of lamination stack 300 (e.g., any of segments 304, 306, 308).

[0038] As mentioned above, the segments of the lamination stack 300 are generally formed or shaped as an I-beam with C-shaped channels on either side of the segments. The segment 600 can have a first slot or channel 602 and a second slot or channel 604. A first slot liner 606 can be disposed in the first channel 602, and similarly, a second slot liner 608 can be disposed in the second channel 604. The slot liners 606, 608 can also be C-shaped to fit the shape of the channels 602, 604 of the segment 600. When a wire is wrapped around the segment 600, the slot liners 606, 608 insulate the wire from the sides of the segment 600 (i.e., the surfaces of the channels 602, 604).

[0039] The slot liners 606, 608 may not extend to the ends of the segment 600 and may not isolate the end faces of the segment 600 from the end turns of the wire as the wire wraps around the ends of the segment 600. To insulate the end turns of the wire, a first end turn insulator 610 may be inserted into the first end of the segment 600 and a second end turn insulator 612 may be inserted into the second end of the segment 600 prior to winding the wire.

[0040] Figure 7 illustrates segment 600 after assembling its components and winding wire 700, according to an exemplary implementation. As shown in Figure 7, slot liners, such as slot liner 606, are placed in the respective channels of segment 600, and end-turn insulation 610, 612 is also inserted at each end of segment 600. Wire 700 can then be wound around segment 600 to form the coil associated with segment 600.

[0041] With this configuration, the wire 700 is electrically insulated from the segment 600, and thus, when multiple segments of the lamination stack 300 are assembled in a radial array to form the lamination stack 300, their respective coils are electrically insulated from one another. Additionally, the wire can be coated with an electrically insulating material (e.g., a synthetic polymer such as nylon polyamide) to isolate the individual wires of a given segment from one another and prevent electrical shorting.

[0042] When inserted into the channels 602, 604, the outer surfaces of the slot liners 606, 608 may contact the inner surface of the segment 600 of the lamination stack 300. However, a gap may separate the outer surfaces of the slot liners 606, 608 and the inner surface of the segment 600.

[0043] 8 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of a segment 600, according to an example implementation. As shown in FIG. 8, when a slot liner 606 is inserted into a channel 602 of a segment 600, a gap 800 can separate the outer surfaces of the side portions (e.g., side portions 502, 504) and connecting portions (e.g., connecting portion 506) from the inner surface of the channel 602 of the segment 600 in which the slot liner 606 is disposed.

[0044] As discussed above with respect to Figure 3, each of the segments of the lamination stack 300 can have a semicircular channel disposed therein for receiving a cooling tube. For example, the segment 600 can receive a cooling tube 802, as shown in Figure 8. Another gap 804 can separate the cooling tube 802 from an inner surface of the segment 600 that bounds the semicircular channel in which the cooling tube 802 is disposed.

[0045] When electrical current is provided through the wires (e.g., wire 700) of electric motor 100, heat is generated and may increase the temperature of components of electric motor 100. The heat generated from the wires or coils of electric motor 100 may be referred to as winding losses and may be determined based on the magnitude of the current (I) and electrical resistance (R) of the wires. In particular, winding losses are calculated based on the I 2 It can be determined as R.

[0046] Additionally, the generated heat (winding losses) can be transferred to the ambient environment of the electric motor 100 with a certain heat transfer rate (q) based on the temperature of the wire (Tw), the ambient temperature (Ta), and the thermal resistance from the windings to the ambient (Rthwa). In particular, the heat transfer is determined by the following equation:

[0047]

number

[0048] can be determined by:

[0049] For a given ambient temperature Ta, electrical resistance R, and thermal resistance from the winding to ambient Rthwa, equation (1) states that the winding temperature Tw varies as a function of the square of the current (I 2 ) During operation of electric motor 100, if winding temperature Tw exceeds a threshold level, it may cause damage to electric motor 100. For example, the coating on the wires (e.g., a polyamide coating) may be damaged, which may cause individual wires of the coils or windings to contact each other, creating an electrical short circuit.

[0050] To prevent damage to electric motor 100, the magnitude of current (I) is limited to prevent winding losses from exceeding a certain level and winding temperature Tw from exceeding a threshold level. However, limiting the magnitude of current (I) can also limit the amount of torque electric motor 100 can generate. In particular, the torque (T) generated by electric motor 100 is limited by the following formula: T=K t I can be determined as, where Kt is the motor torque constant, which is based on a constant multiplied by the length of the stator 102 and the number of turns of wire. The power (P) generated by the electric motor 100 is given by P=Tω=K t It can be determined as Iω, where ω is the rotational speed of the rotor 104 or the shaft 108 coupled thereto.

[0051] Thus, limiting the magnitude of current I also limits the torque T and power P that electric motor 100 can generate. Additionally, at a particular power level, the amount of heat generated can affect the efficiency of electric motor 100 (e.g., the ratio of power P generated by electric motor 100 divided by the power provided to electric motor 100). Operating electric motor 100 at a lower winding temperature Tw for a particular power output P can increase the efficiency of electric motor 100.

[0052] The slot liners discussed above (e.g., slot liners 500, 606, 608) are configured to be electrically insulating but may not be thermally conductive, and thus may cause a higher thermal resistance to the environment and impede heat transfer from the wire to the environment. In other words, a slot liner that is not configured to be made of a thermally conductive material may increase Rthwa. Furthermore, if there is a gap (e.g., gap 800) between the slot liner and a segment of the lamination stack, the gap may be filled with air, which may further increase Rthwa.

[0053] One approach to allowing electric motor 100 to receive a higher current (I) without damaging its components includes reducing the thermal resistance from the windings to ambient (Rthwa). Based on equation (1) above, by reducing Rthwa, the winding temperature Tw can be maintained at a particular level for a higher current (I), which allows electric motor 100 to produce a higher torque (T) and power (P) without damaging its components. Alternatively, the same current level (I) can be used and electric motor 100 can produce the same torque (T) and power (P) while reducing the winding temperature Tw, thereby increasing the efficiency of electric motor 100.

[0054] In an example, reducing the winding-to-ambient thermal resistance (Rthwa) can be achieved by disposing a thermally conductive gap filler in the gap between the slot liner (e.g., slot liner 606) and the lamination stack 300 (e.g., at gap 800). Additionally or alternatively, a thermally conductive gap filler can be disposed in the gap between the cooling tube (e.g., cooling tube 802) and the lamination stack 300 (e.g., at gap 804). Such a thermally conductive gap filler can reduce the thermal resistance (resistance to heat flow from the winding to the lamination stack 300 and then to the environment) and therefore reduce Rthwa.

[0055] In examples, the thermally conductive gap filler can be disposed in or line a portion of each gap (e.g., gap 800 and / or gap 804). In other examples, the thermally conductive gap filler can be used to fill the entire interface between the slot liner and lamination stack 300 and the interface between the cooling tubes and lamination stack 300.

[0056] 9 illustrates disposing a thermally conductive gap filler in portions of gap 800 and gap 804 according to an example implementation. As shown in FIG. 9, the thermally conductive gap filler 900 (shown by dashed lines) can be disposed in the portion between the connection (e.g., vertical portion) of slot liner 606 and the inner surface of segment 600 of lamination stack 300. Each thermally conductive gap filler 902 (shown by curved dashed lines) can also be disposed in a portion of gap 804 between a respective outer surface of cooling tube 802 and the inner surface of the semicircular channel of segment 600 in which cooling tube 802 is disposed.

[0057] In an example, the thermally conductive gap fillers 900, 902 can be placed on the segments 600 of the lamination stack 300 prior to inserting the slot liners 606 and the cooling tubes 802. Alternatively, the thermally conductive gap fillers 900, 902 can be applied to the exterior surfaces of the slot liners 606 and the cooling tubes 802 prior to being inserted into their respective channels of the lamination stack 300.

[0058] 10 illustrates disposing a thermally conductive gap filler across the interfaces between the slot liner 606 and the segment 600 and between the cooling tube 802 and the segment 600 according to an exemplary implementation. As shown in FIG. 10, a thermally conductive gap filler 1000 (shown in dashed lines) is disposed across the gap 800 between the sides and connections of the slot liner 606 and the inner surface of the segment 600 that bounds the channel in which the slot liner 606 is disposed, or is disposed along the sides and connections of the slot liner 606 and the inner surface of the segment 600 that bounds the channel in which the slot liner 606 is disposed. A thermally conductive gap filler 1002 (shown in curved dashed lines) can also be disposed across the gap 804 between the cooling tube 802 and the inner surface of the semicircular channel of the segment 600 in which the cooling tube 802 is disposed.

[0059] 9-10 show a partial cross section of one side or half of the segment 600, with the thermally conductive gap filler being used on a portion of the segment 600. However, it should be understood that the thermally conductive gap filler can be used on the other side of the segment 600, and with all or some of the other segments of the lamination stack 300. Additionally, as discussed above, the thermally conductive gap filler can be placed on the segments of the lamination stack 300 prior to inserting the slot liners 606 and cooling tubes 802, or the thermally conductive gap filler can be applied to the cooling tubes (e.g., cooling tube 802) and slot liners (e.g., applied to the side portions 502, 504 and connecting portion 506 of the slot liner 500) prior to insertion into their respective channels.

[0060] Various types of thermally conductive filler can be used. For example, the thermally conductive filler can take the form of a paste that includes a mineral oil in which thermally conductive solid particles (e.g., a metallic material) are suspended. In another example, the thermally conductive filler can take the form of a thermally conductive pad that includes a silicone polymer combined with a thermal medium (e.g., a ceramic).

[0061] In examples, the thermally conductive gap filler can include silicone grease or wax filled with a thermally conductive material such as aluminum oxide. Such silicone grease can take the form of a semi-liquid or solid material at normal room temperature, and liquefies or softens and flows at elevated temperatures to conform well to any irregularities in the interface between the slot liner and the segments of the lamination stack 300, or between the cooling tubes and the lamination stack 300. In some examples, the silicone grease or wax can be provided in the form of a thin film. A substrate, web, or other carrier can be provided to provide such a thin film.

[0062] In another example, the thermally conductive gap filler can include a cured sheet-like material. Such materials can be formulated to include one or more thermally conductive particulate fillers dispersed within a polymer binder and can be provided in the form of a cured sheet, tape, pad, or thin film. Exemplary binder materials include silicones, urethanes, thermoplastic rubbers, and other elastomers, and exemplary fillers include aluminum oxide, magnesium oxide, zinc oxide, boron nitride, and aluminum nitride.

[0063] In another example, the thermally conductive gap filler can include a hardened, form-stable, sheet-like, thermally conductive material for transferring thermal energy from the winding and lamination stack 300 to the environment. Such a material can be formed from a urethane binder, a hardener, and one or more thermally conductive fillers. The fillers can include aluminum oxide, aluminum nitride, boron nitride, magnesium oxide, or zinc oxide, and can have particle sizes ranging from about 1-50 microns or can include nanoparticles, for example.

[0064] In an example, the thermally conductive gap filler can include a phase change material, which can be free-standing and shape-stable at room temperature for ease of handling. Such phase change materials can liquefy or otherwise soften at temperatures within the operating temperature range of electric motor 100 to form a viscous thixotropic phase that conforms well to interfaces between slot liners and segments of lamination stack 300, or between cooling tubes and lamination stack 300. Phase change materials, which can be supplied as free-standing thin films or as heated screens printed on a substrate surface, can act as greases and waxes that conform and flow within the operating temperatures of electric motor 100 under relatively low clamping pressures of about 5 pounds per square inch (psi).

[0065] In another example, the thermally conductive gap filler may include a tape or sheet with inner and outer release liners and an intermediate layer of thermal compound. One side of the tape or sheet may be coated with a thin layer of pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) to apply the material to the heat transfer surface between the slot liner and a segment of the lamination stack 300 or between the cooling tubes and the lamination stack 300.

[0066] Other exemplary thermally conductive gap filler materials can include thermal interface compounds, caulks, formed-in-place materials, or sealants that are provided filled into one or more tubes, containers, or as one or two part liquid or otherwise flowable fill reactive systems that cure at room temperature or elevated temperature and form in-place into the gaps (e.g., gaps 800, 804).

[0067] In another example, the thermally conductive gap filler may include a thermally conductive compound that is dispensable under applied pressure when discharged as a bead or glob from a nozzle or other orifice. The material, which may be filled into a tube, cartridge, or other container, may be dispensed onto a surface of a slot liner or cooling tube that forms a gap with a segment of the lamination stack 300 (e.g., gaps 800, 804) or directly into a gap formed between adjacent surfaces. When applied, the material may form a bead or glob of material "in place." Within the gap, the bead or glob of material formed in place may function as an interface material that is adapted to at least partially fill the gap, thereby providing a thermally conductive path between the surfaces and reducing the thermal resistance (Rthwa) from the winding to the surroundings. In an example, the material may be fully crosslinked or otherwise hardened as it is filled or otherwise dispensed into the tube, cartridge, or other container. While of a flowable viscosity, the material may generally be viscoelastic and may not exhibit appreciable settling of the metal filler particles when filled.

[0068] The thermally conductive compound can be formulated to be flowable but form stable under pressure when applied to a surface or within a gap as a blend or mixture of (i) a polymer gel component, which can be thermally conductive particles or mixtures thereof, and (ii) a particulate filler component. The gel component can be, for example, a thermoplastic gel or a silicone gel, which can be an organopolysiloxane.

[0069] Gels that can be used for the thermally conductive compounds described above include silicone-based systems, i.e. polysiloxanes such as polyorganosiloxanes, but also systems based on other polymers that can be thermoplastic or thermosetting, such as polyurethanes, polyureas, fluoropolymers, chlorosulfonates, polybutadienes, butyls, neoprenes, nitriles, polyisoprenes, Buna-N, copolymers such as ethylene-propylene (EPR), styrene-isoprene-styrene (SIS), styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS), ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM), nitrile butadiene (NBR), styrene-ethylene-butadiene (SEB), and styrene-butadiene (SBR), and blends thereof such as ethylene or propylene-EPDM, EPR, or NBR.

[0070] Polymer gels can include a continuous polymer phase or network, which can be chemically, e.g., ionically or covalently, or physically crosslinked, and a fluid-expanded polymer system that includes silicone or other oils, plasticizers, oils such as unreacted monomers, or other fluid-expanding agents that swell or otherwise fill the interstices of the network. The crosslink density and the ratio of expanders in such networks can be controlled to tailor the elastic modulus, i.e., softness, and other properties of the gel. Polymer gels can also encompass materials that can be broadly classified as pseudogels or gel-like, as having viscoelastic properties similar to gels, e.g., having a "loose" crosslinked network formed by relatively long crosslinked chains, but lacking, e.g., a fluid-expanding agent. Examples of polymer or silicone gels include NuSil TMThe gel may contain a soft silicone gel such as "GEL-8100" by

[0071] The polymer gel component can be made thermally conductive by filling it with thermally conductive fillers such as precious and non-precious metals, such as nickel, copper, tin, aluminum, and nickel; precious and non-precious metals with precious metal plating, such as silver-plated copper, nickel, aluminum, tin, or gold; non-precious and non-precious metals with non-precious metal plating, such as nickel-plated copper or silver; precious and non-precious metals with precious metal plating, such as silver or nickel-plated graphite, glass, ceramic, plastic, elastomer, or mica; and mixtures thereof.

[0072] FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a method 1100 for assembling the stator 102 of the electric motor 100 according to an example implementation.

[0073] Method 1100 may include one or more operations or actions as illustrated by one or more of blocks 1102-1110. Although the blocks are illustrated in sequence, these blocks may also be performed in parallel and / or in a different order than described herein. Also, various blocks may be combined into fewer blocks, divided into additional blocks, and / or deleted based on the desired implementation. For this and other processes and methods disclosed herein, it should be understood that the flow chart illustrates the functions and operations of one possible implementation of the example. Alternative implementations are included within the scope of the examples of the present disclosure in which functions may be performed out of order from those illustrated or discussed, including substantially simultaneously or in reverse order, depending on the functionality involved, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

[0074] At block 1102, method 1100 includes providing a segment (e.g., segment 600) of lamination stack 300 of stator 102 of electric motor 100, where lamination stack segment 600 includes a slot (e.g., channel 602 or channel 604). As used herein, the term "providing," with respect to a segment of lamination stack 300 or other component (e.g., slot liner 606), includes any action to make the segment or any other component available, such as providing the segment or bringing the segment into an apparatus or work environment for further processing (e.g., attachment of other components, winding wires, etc.).

[0075] At block 1104, the method 1100 includes providing a slot liner (eg, slot liner 606) formed of an electrically insulating material (eg, insulating paper).

[0076] At block 1106, the method 1100 includes applying a thermally conductive gap filler (eg, the thermally conductive gap filler 900, 1000) to an exterior surface of the slot liner.

[0077] At block 1108, the method 1100 includes inserting the slot liner with the thermally conductive gap filler into a slot of a segment of the lamination stack such that the thermally conductive gap filler is disposed between an outer surface of the slot liner and the segment.

[0078] At block 1110, the method 1100 includes winding a wire (eg, wire 700) around a segment such that a slot liner and a thermally conductive gap filler are disposed between the wire and the segment.

[0079] The method 1100 may further include other steps associated with assembling the stator 102 and electric motor 100 described above, such as applying a thermally conductive gap filler along one or more of the first side portion, second side portion, or connection portion of the slot liner, applying the thermally conductive gap filler 902, 1002 to the outer surface of the cooling tube 802, inserting the cooling tube 802 into a semicircular channel located on the outer circumferential surface of the segment 600, attaching the end-turn insulators 610, 612 to the segment 600, etc.

[0080] The above detailed description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, explains various features and operations of the disclosed system. The exemplary implementations described herein are not intended to be limiting. Certain aspects of the disclosed system can be arranged and combined in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are contemplated herein.

[0081] Moreover, unless the context suggests otherwise, the features illustrated in each of the drawings can be used in combination with one another. Thus, the drawings should generally be viewed as component aspects of one or more overall implementations, with the understanding that not all illustrated features are required for each implementation.

[0082] In addition, recitations of elements, blocks, or steps in the specification or claims are for purposes of clarity, and therefore should not be construed as requiring or implying that those elements, blocks, or steps conform to a particular arrangement or be performed in a particular order.

[0083] Further, the devices or systems may be used or configured to perform the functions shown. In some cases, the components of the devices and / or systems may be configured (using hardware and / or software) to perform the functions such that the components are actually configured and structured to enable such performance. In other examples, the components of the devices and / or systems may be configured to be adapted, capable, or suitable to perform the functions, such as when operated in a particular manner.

[0084] The terms "substantially" or "about" do not require that the recited property, parameter, or value be achieved exactly, but that deviations or variations including, for example, tolerances, measurement errors, measurement accuracy limits, and other factors known to those of ordinary skill in the art, may occur in an amount that does not eliminate the effect that the property is intended to provide.

[0085] The configurations described herein are for illustrative purposes only. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other configurations and other elements (e.g., machines, interfaces, operations, sequences, and groupings of operations, etc.) can be substituted, and some elements can be omitted entirely, depending on the results desired. Furthermore, many of the described elements are functional entities that can be implemented as separate or distributed components, or in combination with other components, in any suitable combination and location.

[0086] While various aspects and implementations are disclosed herein, other aspects and implementations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and implementations disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope being set forth in the following claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Additionally, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular implementations only and is not intended to be limiting.

Claims

1. 1. A stator for an electric motor, comprising: a lamination stack having a plurality of separated segments; a cooling tube disposed in a channel disposed on an outer circumferential surface of the lamination stack; a slot formed in the lamination stack; a slot liner disposed in the slot and configured to be electrically insulating; a first thermally conductive gap filler disposed in a gap between the slot liner and the lamination stack; a respective second thermally conductive gap filler disposed across a respective gap between the cooling tube and the channel of the lamination stack; and a winding disposed in the slot.

2. 2. The stator of claim 1, wherein the slot liner comprises a first side portion, a second side portion, and a connecting portion configured to connect the first side portion to the second side portion, and the first thermally conductive gap filler is disposed along one or more of the first side portion, the second side portion, or the connecting portion.

3. The stator of claim 1 , wherein the channel is semi-circular in shape and disposed longitudinally across the outer circumferential surface of the lamination stack.

4. The plurality of divided segments are disposed adjacent to one another in a radial array, the slots are formed in segments of the plurality of segments, and the stator further comprises: a first end-turn insulator disposed at a first end of the segment between the winding and the segment, the first end-turn insulator configured to be electrically insulating; 2. The stator of claim 1, further comprising: a second end-turn insulator disposed at a second end of the segment between the winding and the segment, the second end-turn insulator configured to be electrically insulating.

5. The stator of claim 1 , wherein the first thermally conductive gap filler comprises a mineral oil having thermally conductive solid particles suspended therein.

6. The stator of claim 1 , wherein the first thermally conductive gap filler comprises a mixture of (i) a polymer gel component and (ii) a particulate filler component.

7. 1. An electric motor assembly comprising: A stator having an open annular space, a lamination stack comprising a plurality of segmented segments disposed adjacent to one another in a radial array; a plurality of cooling tubes, each cooling tube of the plurality of cooling tubes disposed in a channel disposed in an outer circumferential surface of a segment of the plurality of segments of the lamination stack; a plurality of slots formed between adjacent ones of the plurality of segments of the lamination stack; a respective slot liner disposed in the plurality of slots and configured to be electrically insulating; a first thermally conductive gap filler disposed in each gap between each of the slot liners and the plurality of segments of the lamination stack; a respective second thermally conductive gap filler disposed across a respective gap between the cooling tube and the channel of the segment; a stator including a winding disposed in the plurality of slots; a rotor disposed in the open annular space of the stator, A steel core; and a rotor comprising a plurality of magnets arranged in respective radial arrays about said steel core.

8. 8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein each slot liner comprises two individual slot liners, each individual slot liner comprising a first side portion, a second side portion, and a connecting portion configured to connect the first side portion to the second side portion, and the first thermally conductive gap filler is disposed along one or more of the first side portion, the second side portion, or the connecting portion.

9. The assembly of claim 7 , wherein each said channel is semicircular in shape and disposed longitudinally across the outer circumferential surface of the segment.

10. a first end-turn insulator disposed at a first end of each of the plurality of segments between the winding and the respective segment, the first end-turn insulator being configured to be electrically insulating; 8. The assembly of claim 7, further comprising: a second end-turn insulator disposed at a second end of each of the segments between the winding and each of the segments, the second end-turn insulator configured to be electrically insulating.

11. 8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the first thermally conductive gap filler material comprises a mineral oil having thermally conductive solid particles suspended therein.

12. 8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the first thermally conductive gap filler comprises a mixture of (i) a polymer gel component and (ii) a particulate filler component.

13. 1. A method comprising: providing a plurality of separated segments of a lamination stack of an electric motor stator, the segments of the lamination stack comprising slots; Inserting a cooling tube into a channel disposed on an outer circumferential surface of the segment; providing a slot liner formed of an electrically insulating material; inserting the slot liner into the slot of the segment of the lamination stack; applying a first thermally conductive gap filler to a gap between the slot liner and the segment of the lamination stack such that the first thermally conductive gap filler is disposed between an outer surface of the slot liner and the segment; applying a respective second thermally conductive gap filler material entirely between the outer surface of each of the cooling tubes and the channel of the segment; and wrapping the wire around the segment such that the slot liner and the first thermally conductive gap filler are disposed between the wire and the segment.

14. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the slot liner comprises a first side portion, a second side portion, and a connecting portion configured to connect the first side portion to the second side portion, and applying the first thermally conductive gap filler to the outer surface of the slot liner includes applying the first thermally conductive gap filler along one or more of the first side portion, the second side portion, or the connecting portion.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein inserting the cooling tube into the channel comprises inserting the cooling tube into a semi-circular channel.

16. attaching a first end-turn insulator to the first end of the segment such that the wire is electrically insulated from the first end of the segment; 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: attaching a second end-turn insulator to the second end of the segment such that the wire is electrically insulated from the second end of the segment.

17. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein applying the first thermally conductive gap filler material comprises applying (i) a mineral oil having thermally conductive solid particles suspended therein; or (ii) a mixture of a polymer gel component and a particulate filler component.

Images