Air-Cooled Electric Machine Using Turbine-Expanded Cooling Air
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid cooling systems for electric machines are often bulky and complex, making them less desirable for efficient cooling.
Innovation Solution
An electric machine system that incorporates a turbine, an electric machine with air passages for cooling, and a compressor, where the turbine interacts with air flow to expand and cool it, which is then conveyed through the electric machine to extract heat before being drawn through the electric machine by the compressor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If existing fluid cooling systems are used for electric machines, then cooling effect is achieved, but the system becomes bulky and complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cooling system components (turbine, electric machine, compressor) into an integrated assembly where the electric machine is positioned within the turbine-compressor system. This merging eliminates the need for separate external cooling systems, reducing overall complexity while maintaining effective cooling through the passage system that allows air flow from the turbine through the electric machine to the compressor.
2Temperature
If oil cooling is used for larger electric machines, then cooling performance is improved, but the system becomes bulkier
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs air-based pneumatic cooling instead of oil-based cooling systems. Air is circulated through the turbine passage system and flows through the electric machine, providing effective cooling without requiring the bulkier oil reservoirs, pumps, and associated infrastructure that conventional oil cooling systems demand.
Solution Approach 2:
The air flow system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it cools the turbine components during normal operation and also provides cooling for the electric machine. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated cooling systems, reducing overall system volume while maintaining effective thermal management.
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 system provides a compact and efficient cooling method for electric machines, reducing internal windage losses and maintaining low impact on the performance of associated engines, such as aircraft engines.
Implementation Method 1
a turbine interacting with a flow of air, the turbine having a turbine inlet receiving the flow of air and a turbine outlet discharging the flow of air
Implementation Method 2
a compressor drawing the flow of air through the passage of the electric machine, the compressor having a compressor inlet receiving the flow of air discharged from the passage outlet, and a compressor outlet discharging the flow of air
Implementation Method 3
an electric machine having a passage conveying the flow of air through the electric machine for cooling the electric machine
Implementation Method 4
conveying the flow of air from the turbine through the electric machine to extract heat from the electric machine using the flow of air
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A method for cooling an electric machine (30) includes receiving a flow of air, expanding and cooling the air from the flow of air using a turbine (36), conveying the flow of air from the turbine (36) through the electric machine (30) to extract heat from the electric machine (30) using the flow of air, and drawing the flow of air through the electric machine (30) using an air mover (38).