Cooling Ring Spray Layout for Uniform Coil Cooling in Electric Machines

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rotating electrical machines face inefficiencies in uniformly spraying cooling fluid onto the coils due to insufficient inlet pressure, leading to uneven cooling.

Innovation Solution

A rotating electrical machine with a hollow cooling ring having an inclined outlet orifice that projects cooling fluid obliquely onto the coils, combined with radial orifices in the shaft for parallel cooling, ensuring effective cooling despite low inlet pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If cooling fluid is sprayed through radial orifices in the shaft, then the coils can be cooled, but the insufficient inlet pressure prevents uniform and effective spraying around the entire circumference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoil temperatureVSAvoidcooling fluid inlet pressure
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces a new spatial dimension by adding inclined outlet orifices that spray cooling fluid at an angle (e.g., 45 degrees) relative to the shaft axis, rather than purely radially. This angular dimension allows the cooling fluid to reach the coil ends more effectively despite low pressure, as the oblique trajectory extends the fluid's reach toward the coil surfaces that are positioned axially outward.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies different spraying characteristics to different regions: radial orifices continue to provide circumferential coverage, while newly added inclined orifices specifically target the coil ends where cooling is most critical. This localized quality enhancement ensures that the most heat-prone areas (coil ends) receive focused cooling attention regardless of overall pressure limitations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If cooling fluid pressure is increased to improve spraying effectiveness, then cooling efficiency improves, but the system becomes more complex and requires higher pressure components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidcooling system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the spray parameter from purely radial direction to include an angular component (e.g., 45-degree inclination). This parameter modification allows the existing low-pressure cooling fluid to achieve better cooling effectiveness by altering the spray trajectory, thereby improving cooling efficiency without increasing system pressure or complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Area of stationary object

If the cooling fluid is sprayed radially onto the coils, then the cooling coverage can be maximized, but the coil ends remain inadequately cooled due to pressure loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooled surface areaVSAvoidcooling fluid pressure at outlet
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

By introducing inclined outlet orifices that spray at an angle to the shaft axis, the invention adds a dimensional component to the spray trajectory. This angular dimension enables the cooling fluid to reach the coil ends (which extend axially) more effectively, thereby expanding the cooled surface area without requiring higher pressure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

The solution achieves uniform and efficient cooling of the coils and rotor by targeting the cooling fluid directly onto them, even with low inlet pressure, enhancing cooling efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a chamfered annular wall in which at least one first outlet orifice is provided for projecting the cooling fluid onto the coil ends in a direction inclined relative to the axial direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid projection through inclined orifice:

Implementation Method 2

a cooling circuit comprising a fluid supply arranged in the casing and configured to convey a cooling fluid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCooling: Cooling

Data Source

PatentEP4580012A1Rotating electric machine
Publication Date: 2025.07.02 VALEO ELECTRIFICATION
  • EP4580012A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4580012A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4580012A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Rotating electrical machine (1) comprising: - a stator (2) comprising a winding (7) forming coils (7a, 7b) at the axial ends, the stator (2) being integral with a casing (5) of the rotating electrical machine (1), the casing (5) comprising at least one bearing (6), - a rotor (3) integral with a shaft (4) of said machine (1), - a cooling circuit comprising a fluid supply (12) arranged in the casing (5) and a hollow cooling ring (15) fixed to the casing (5) and having an inlet (16) fluidly communicating with the fluid supply (12) and a chamfered annular wall (17) in which at least one first outlet orifice (18) is arranged to project the cooling fluid onto the coils (7a) of the winding (7) in a direction inclined relative to the axial direction.