Electric Machine Fan With Separate Ducts For Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotating electrical machines, particularly 'open' machines, face inefficiencies in cooling air circulation, as air flows do not effectively cross the stator and rotor separately, limiting convective exchanges and increasing pressure drops.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a fan system with separate air flows circulating in the same direction, utilizing a veil of material with notches and conical profiles to enhance air capture and reduce pressure drops, allowing for increased air flow and convective exchange coefficients, particularly around the rotor windings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If air flows are used to cool the machine, then cooling efficiency is improved, but pressure drops increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fan is divided into two independent channels (first channel with first blades, second channel with second blades) that separately generate first and second air flows. Each channel independently directs air through specific paths (one through the stator, one through the rotor), preventing flow mixing and reducing pressure losses while maintaining effective cooling of both stator and rotor components.
2Temperature
If a veil of material is added to enhance air capture, then convective exchange coefficients increase, but pressure drops increase
Solution Approach 1:
The veil of material is positioned specifically at the inlet of the fan where air capture is most critical, and its dimensions are optimized (inside diameter corresponding to stator inside diameter, extending to rotor lamination stack) to enhance convective exchange coefficients locally without creating excessive resistance throughout the entire air path.
Solution Approach 2:
The veil of material includes openings (such as notches) that allow air to pass through while still providing the desired convective enhancement. This porous structure increases surface area for heat exchange while minimizing pressure drop compared to a solid veil.
3Temperature
If separate air flows are used to cool stator and rotor, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fan integrates two separate air flow generation systems into a single rotating component. Both channels are mounted on the same fan hub and rotate together, sharing common structural elements (hub, mounting structure) while independently directing air through different paths. This merging approach achieves separate cooling of stator and rotor without requiring two completely independent fan systems, thus limiting the increase in device complexity.
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 increases overall air flow through the machine, enhances convective exchanges, and reduces pressure drops, leading to more efficient cooling of rotating electrical machines.
Implementation Method 1
drive with the rotor a fan which ensures the circulation of a cooling fluid through the machine
Implementation Method 2
a fan which ensures the circulation of a cooling fluid through the machine
Implementation Method 3
The web of fan material can locally increase the convective exchange coefficients on the rotor windings
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a rotating electric machine comprising a rotor which turns relative to at least one stator and which defines at least one air gap with the stator, the rotor rotating at least one fan (40) having at least two ducts, this fan comprising a first duct (42) generating a first cooling air flow passing through the stator, and a second duct generating a second cooling air flow passing through the rotor, the fan comprising a web of material (60) separating the first and second air flows.