Electric Machine Non-Contact Fluid Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric machines face challenges in efficiently transferring cooling fluids between rotating and non-rotating parts without leaking, requiring complex sealing mechanisms that impact reliability, cost, weight, and envelope constraints.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a non-contact interface with converging and diverging nozzles in fluid passages to accelerate and decelerate fluid flow across axial and radial gaps between rotating and non-rotating parts, minimizing leakage and eliminating the need for traditional sealing mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional sealing mechanisms are used to transfer fluid between rotating and non-rotating parts, then fluid transfer is achieved, but device complexity, weight, and reliability are adversely affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the sealing mechanism entirely from the fluid transfer system. By using a non-contact interface where fluid passes through a gap between rotating and non-rotating parts without physical seals, the complexity and reliability issues associated with sealing mechanisms are eliminated while maintaining fluid transfer functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical sealing system with a fluid dynamic system. Instead of using mechanical contacts and seals to prevent leakage, the invention uses controlled fluid flow through a non-contact gap, substituting mechanical reliability concerns with fluid dynamic control.
2Reliability
If traditional sealing mechanisms are used to transfer fluid between rotating and non-rotating parts, then fluid transfer is achieved, but weight is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the sealing mechanism entirely from the fluid transfer system. By using a non-contact interface where fluid passes through a gap between rotating and non-rotating parts without physical seals, the complexity and reliability issues associated with sealing mechanisms are eliminated while maintaining fluid transfer functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical sealing system with a fluid dynamic system. Instead of using mechanical contacts and seals to prevent leakage, the invention uses controlled fluid flow through a non-contact gap, substituting mechanical reliability concerns with fluid dynamic control.
3Productivity
If converging nozzles are used to increase fluid velocity, then fluid transfer efficiency is improved, but pressure is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic nozzle design where converging nozzles accelerate fluid to increase transfer efficiency across the non-contact interface. The system dynamically balances velocity increase with pressure management, using the pressure-velocity relationship to optimize fluid transfer through the gap while maintaining sufficient pressure for effective cooling and lubrication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes fluid parameters (velocity, pressure, flow rate) through strategically placed converging and diverging nozzles. The converging nozzles increase velocity to improve transfer efficiency, while diverging nozzles downstream recover pressure, dynamically adjusting parameters to optimize both efficiency and pressure requirements.
4Stress or pressure
If diverging nozzles are used to decrease fluid velocity, then pressure is recovered, but fluid transfer efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic nozzle design where converging nozzles accelerate fluid to increase transfer efficiency across the non-contact interface. The system dynamically balances velocity increase with pressure management, using the pressure-velocity relationship to optimize fluid transfer through the gap while maintaining sufficient pressure for effective cooling and lubrication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes fluid parameters (velocity, pressure, flow rate) through strategically placed converging and diverging nozzles. The converging nozzles increase velocity to improve transfer efficiency, while diverging nozzles downstream recover pressure, dynamically adjusting parameters to optimize both efficiency and pressure 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 approach enhances reliability by preventing wear and maintaining efficiency while reducing complexity and weight, offering a cost-effective solution for fluid transfer between rotating and non-rotating components.
Implementation Method 1
a first converging nozzle forming part of the first fluid passage to increase the velocity of liquid passing at the first outlet relative to the velocity at the first inlet
Implementation Method 2
a diverging nozzle forming part of the second fluid passage to decrease the velocity of liquid passing through the second fluid passage
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A generator (10) for generating power having a rotary union (33) between a rotor (32) and a stator (34), the rotary union (33) comprising a first fluid passage (50) having a converging nozzle (56) and located within the stator having a first inlet (52) and a first outlet (54), a second fluid passage (60) having a diverging nozzle (74) and located within the rotor (32) and having a second inlet (62) and a second outlet (64), the second inlet (62) is aligned with the first outlet (54) and at least one gap (100, 102) located between the rotor (32) and stator (34).