Bogie Motor Cooling via Segmented Heat Exchangers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bogie designs face challenges in effectively managing heat dissipation, leading to increased internal motor temperatures, which can result in breakdowns and reduced service life, especially when conventional cooling methods prove insufficient.

Innovation Solution

The bogie incorporates a heat exchanger attached to the frame and auxiliary heat exchangers mounted on each motor, along with internal and external fans, creating a comprehensive air circuit for efficient heat transfer and dissipation, utilizing a crosspiece to support the weight of the heat exchanger and enhance airflow for cooling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional cooling methods (external fan or heat exchanger) are used, then some heat dissipation is achieved, but the internal motor temperature remains too high leading to breakdowns and reduced service life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice lifeVSAvoidinternal motor temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling system is segmented into multiple independent heat exchangers: a main heat exchanger (35) attached to the frame and auxiliary heat exchangers (35A, 35B) mounted on each motor. This segmentation allows distributed heat dissipation throughout the bogie structure, improving overall cooling effectiveness and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges multiple cooling functions into a unified system: the main heat exchanger handles general bogie cooling while auxiliary heat exchangers provide targeted motor cooling. The crosspiece (37) serves dual purposes as both structural support and mounting platform for heat exchangers, combining mechanical and thermal management functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Loss of energy

If a heat exchanger is attached to the frame, then heat dissipation capacity is improved, but the weight and structural complexity of the bogie increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipation efficiencyVSAvoidcooling system structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The crosspiece (37) performs multiple functions: it provides structural support for the bogie components and simultaneously serves as the mounting base for the main heat exchanger (35). This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining effective heat dissipation capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Temperature

If auxiliary heat exchangers are mounted on each motor, then targeted cooling is achieved, but the device complexity and number of components increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotor temperature controlVSAvoidnumber of heat exchangers
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Auxiliary heat exchangers (35A, 35B) are mounted directly on individual motors (30A, 30B) to provide localized cooling where heat generation is most intense. This local quality approach ensures that each motor receives dedicated cooling attention, maintaining optimal operating temperatures without requiring excessive cooling capacity throughout the entire bogie.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 configuration significantly reduces the risk of breakdowns and increases the service life of the bogie by maintaining lower internal motor temperatures closer to ambient temperatures, while also improving compactness and cooling efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

an external fan mounted on the shaft of the motor in order to achieve forced convection around the casing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced convection: Forced Convection

Implementation Method 2

some bogie motors include a heat exchanger attached to the carcass adapted to dissipate the heat contained in the internal air of the carcass to the outside atmosphere

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchanger: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 3

an external fan mounted on the shaft of the motor in order to achieve forced convection around the casing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 4

the first motor releases heat by Joule effect in the windings and by friction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule effect: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 5

the first motor releases heat by Joule effect in the windings and by friction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3205544B1Driving bogie with improved cooling
Publication Date: 2019.06.26 ALSTOM TRANSPORT TECH SAS
  • EP3205544B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3205544B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3205544B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A bogie (10) comprising: - a frame (15) having at least one cross member (37), - a first axle (20A) and a second axle (20B), - at least one first motor (30A) for driving the first axle, the first motor comprising a frame (51A), a rotor (55A), a stator (53A), a shaft (57A) driven by the rotor, and at least one internal fan (59A) driven by the shaft, and - a heat exchanger (35) forming an added component fixed to the cross member, or a heat exchanger (135) formed by internal structures (182) of the cross member, the heat exchanger having at least one first air inlet (75A) connected to an air outlet (67A) of the frame, and at least one first air outlet (77A) connected to an air inlet (65A) of the frame, the heat exchanger and the frame defining an air circuit (79) for cooling the first engine,The heat exchanger is designed to receive heat carried by air from the first engine and to dissipate this heat into the atmosphere, and the air circuit comprises a first pass (F2A) between the rotor and the stator, and a second pass (F3A) between the stator and the frame.