Annular Cooling Jacket with Axial Inlet and Opposite Flow Streams
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical machines in vehicles face challenges in compact cooling solutions due to the need for large spaces for coolant flow and sealing, which limits their efficiency and service life, especially in high-power applications.
Innovation Solution
An annular cooling jacket with axial coolant introduction and discharge, utilizing coolant ducts that connect to a deflection section for parallelized coolant flow, allowing 180° cooling and efficient heat dissipation within compact dimensions, with the coolant flowing in two partial streams and returning through separate ducts, and a fluid-tight blocking device to prevent mixing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If radial or axial coolant flow through cooling jackets is used, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but housing dimensions and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling jacket is segmented into multiple cooling channels arranged circumferentially around the stator. Each channel receives coolant through separate inlet openings and discharges through separate outlet openings, allowing parallel coolant flow paths that increase cooling surface area without proportionally increasing housing volume
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from single-direction radial or axial cooling to multi-directional circumferential cooling. Coolant flows through multiple channels distributed around the circumference, utilizing the third spatial dimension (circumferential direction) to increase cooling effectiveness without significantly increasing the axial or radial dimensions of the housing
2Area of stationary object
If coolant ducts are distributed across the housing circumference, then cooling surface area increases, but housing dimensions and sealing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple cooling channels are merged into a single integrated cooling jacket structure that circumferentially surrounds the stator. The jacket incorporates all cooling channels, inlet openings, and outlet openings in one unified component, eliminating the need for separate housing parts and reducing sealing interfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling jacket serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, contains all cooling channels, distributes coolant to multiple channels, and collects cooled coolant from all channels. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional sealing components and simplifies the overall system
3Ease of operation
If separate housing parts are used for coolant diversion, then coolant flow control is improved, but housing dimensions and sealing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling jacket integrates coolant diversion functionality directly into its structure. Deflection sections are incorporated within the jacket to redirect coolant flow between channels without requiring separate housing parts. This integration maintains flow control capabilities while reducing structural complexity and sealing requirements
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables effective cooling of electrical machines with compact designs, optimizing space utilization and cooling power distribution, ensuring efficient heat dissipation and preventing coolant mixing, thus enhancing the operational efficiency and service life of high-power electrical machines.
Implementation Method 1
The coolant withdraws the waste heat from the electrical machine
Implementation Method 2
Cooling jackets through which a fluid is circulated are utilized in order to increase the output and actively cool electrical machines
Data Source
AI summary
In an electrical machine for the hybrid drive of a vehicle, an annular cooling jacket extends between a housing and a casing. The cooling jacket is connected to a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet so that coolant is axially introduced into the cooling jacket. The coolant inlet and the coolant outlet are situated next to each other in the circumferential direction of the housing and are hydraulically connected to a deflection section by way of coolant ducts. Coolant introduced into the cooling jacket flows in two partial flows in opposite directions, to the deflection section through coolant ducts forming an intake. The coolant is deflected back to the coolant outlet through a coolant duct forming a return. The coolant flows through the coolant duct of the return and the axially adjacent coolant duct of the intake in opposite directions.