Hermetic motor cooling system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor cooling systems for refrigeration cycles experience reduced refrigerant flow to stator components when low-pressure refrigerant is used, leading to temperature gradients and inefficiencies in thermal energy transfer.
Innovation Solution
A hermetic motor cooling system with an annular cavity and sleeve configuration that directs refrigerant flow from a refrigerant loop to the stator through axial discharge ports, ensuring even thermal energy distribution and mitigating hot spots.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If low pressure refrigerant is utilized in the refrigeration cycle, then the refrigeration system can operate with lower operating pressures, but the cooling fluid flow to portions of the stator is reduced, generating large temperature gradients (hot spots) along the stator
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into multiple independent flow paths: an annular cavity for receiving refrigerant, a sleeve with multiple discharge ports for distributing refrigerant, and targeted flow channels directing refrigerant to specific stator regions. This segmentation allows low-pressure refrigerant to be effectively distributed to all necessary cooling zones without relying on high system pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The annular cavity and sleeve structure serve as intermediary components between the refrigerant loop and the stator. The cavity receives low-pressure refrigerant and the sleeve with its discharge ports acts as a mediator to redistribute the refrigerant evenly across the stator surface, compensating for the low driving pressure through clever geometric design rather than high pressure.
2Stress or pressure
If conventional cooling systems are used with low pressure refrigerant, then the system operates at lower pressures, but thermal energy transfer efficiency decreases due to reduced refrigerant flow and large temperature gradients
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system provides locally optimized refrigerant distribution through the sleeve's discharge ports positioned at specific locations. Each discharge port targets specific portions of the stator that require cooling, ensuring uniform thermal energy transfer across different regions. This local quality approach maintains high thermal efficiency even with low-pressure refrigerant by ensuring adequate flow to each critical zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a simple radial or axial flow pattern to a three-dimensional distribution system using the annular cavity volume and multiple discharge ports oriented in different directions. This dimensional approach allows refrigerant to be delivered to the stator from multiple angles and locations, maximizing thermal contact and energy transfer efficiency without requiring high pressure.
3Device complexity
If refrigerant flow is reduced to portions of the stator, then the system simplifies the cooling configuration, but large temperature gradients develop along the stator affecting the total operating range
Solution Approach 1:
The annular cavity and sleeve assembly serves multiple functions: it receives refrigerant from the loop, distributes it through multiple discharge ports, directs flow to various stator portions, and manages thermal energy transfer. This multi-functional design achieves comprehensive cooling coverage and maintains wide operating range without requiring separate complex cooling systems for different operating conditions.
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
Enhances thermal energy transfer and operational efficiency by evenly distributing refrigerant across the stator, extending the operational life and range of the compressor and refrigeration system.
Implementation Method 1
Heat (e.g., thermal energy) may be generated as electrical current passes through a series of windings forming a stator... cooling fluid may be provided to the motor via a cooling system to remove heat
Implementation Method 2
cooling fluid may be provided to the motor via a cooling system to remove heat... directing, via a plurality of discharge ports formed in the sleeve, an amount of the portion of the refrigerant flow from the annular cavity toward the stator
Data Source
AI summary
A system for cooling a hermetic motor includes a housing of the hermetic motor that is configured to be disposed along a motor cooling refrigerant flow path. The housing is configured to surround at least a portion of a stator of the hermetic motor and includes an annular cavity configured to receive refrigerant from a refrigerant loop. The system also includes a sleeve configured to be positioned between the annular cavity and the stator, where the sleeve includes a plurality of discharge ports oriented generally parallel to a central axis of the stator. The plurality of discharge ports is configured to discharge the refrigerant from the annular cavity toward the stator.