Electric Machine Cooling Using Turbine Engine Intake Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling systems for electric motors in powerplants, such as aircraft auxiliary power units, lack efficiency in heat dissipation, necessitating an improved method to effectively cool the electric machines during operation.
Innovation Solution
A powerplant configuration that integrates a turbine engine with a fluid circuit, where the turbine engine draws air through an internal passage of the electric machine to cool it, utilizing a flowpath extending through compressor, combustor, and turbine sections, and includes ports and conduits to facilitate air flow for cooling, both during startup and regular operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a separate cooling system is used for the electric motor, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cooling function for the electric motor with the existing turbine engine air intake system. Air is drawn through the electric motor via ports in the compressor housing and conduits, integrating the cooling pathway into the engine's existing airflow structure. This eliminates the need for a completely separate cooling system while maintaining effective heat dissipation.
Solution Approach 2:
The turbine engine's air intake system serves dual functions: providing air for combustion in the engine and simultaneously cooling the electric motor. The same airflow path and components (compressor housing, ports, conduits) are used for both engine operation and motor cooling, maximizing system efficiency and reducing redundancy.
2Temperature
If air is drawn through the electric machine for cooling, then heat dissipation is improved, but airflow resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates cooling passages and ports specifically at locations where heat generation is highest in the electric motor, such as near the windings and core. The airflow path is optimized to target these hot spots directly, maximizing cooling effectiveness while minimizing the total airflow resistance across the entire motor structure.
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 enhances cooling efficiency by utilizing the turbine engine's airflow to dissipate heat from the electric machine, improving operational performance and reducing thermal stress, while also allowing for flexible operation as both a generator and motor.
Implementation Method 1
The turbine engine is configured to draw air through the internal passage and into the core flowpath during operation
Implementation Method 2
air through an internal passage of the electric machine into a flowpath of the turbine engine to cool the electric machine
Data Source
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AI summary
A powerplant (10) is provided that includes an electric machine (14), a turbine engine (12) and a fluid circuit (16). The turbine engine (12) is operatively coupled to the electric machine (14). The turbine engine (12) includes a flowpath (30), a compressor section (32), a combustor section (33) and a turbine section (34). The flowpath (30) extends through the compressor section (32), the combustor section (33) and the turbine section (34) from an inlet (40) into the flowpath (30) to an exhaust (42) from the flowpath (30). The compressor section (32) includes a shroud (64) forming a peripheral boundary of the flowpath (30). The fluid circuit (16) includes a passage (106A, 106B, 106C), a port (90) and a conduit (112). The passage (106A, 106B, 106C) is within the electric machine (14). The port (90) extends through the shroud (64) to the flowpath (30). The conduit (112) fluidly couples the passage (106A, 106B, 106C) to the port (90).