Linear Motor Thermal Management via Intermediary Cooling Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Elevator systems with linear motors experience significant thermal loads, particularly at high traffic and low speed locations, which reduces efficiency and requires effective thermal management solutions.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a cooling member, such as a heat exchanger with phase change materials and high thermal conductivity, between coils of the motor portion, along with variable gap widths and strategically placed sheets with openings for enhanced heat removal, to manage thermal loads and improve efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the gap width between primary and secondary motor portions is reduced to improve motor efficiency, then the thermal load on the coils increases, but if the gap width is increased to reduce thermal load, then motor efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
A cooling member is introduced as an intermediary component between the coils and the gap region. This cooling member actively removes heat from the coils through thermal conduction and convection, allowing the gap to be narrowed for improved efficiency without suffering from excessive thermal buildup. The cooling member acts as a heat sink and thermal management system that decouples the thermal effects from the mechanical gap dimension.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the thermal parameters of the system by introducing active cooling mechanisms. By modifying the thermal conductivity, convection coefficients, and heat dissipation rates through the cooling member, the system can operate at smaller gap widths while maintaining acceptable coil temperatures. This parameter change allows the motor to operate in a previously inaccessible region of high efficiency with manageable thermal loads.
2Temperature
If cooling members are added to reduce thermal loading, then thermal management improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling member is merged with existing structural components of the motor, such as the coil former or support structures. By integrating the cooling function into already-present elements rather than adding entirely separate cooling systems, the invention reduces the increase in device complexity. The cooling channels or heat dissipation features are combined with the mechanical support structure, achieving thermal management with minimal additional components.
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
The solution effectively reduces thermal loading on linear motors while maintaining sufficient clearance to prevent contact, enhancing the overall efficiency and thermal management of elevator systems, especially during peak usage times.
Implementation Method 1
The heat exchanger may include a phase change material
Implementation Method 2
The cooling member may be a heat exchanger disposed between two coils of the first motor portion
Implementation Method 3
The heat exchanger may include a material having a thermal conductivity higher than a thermal conductivity of the at least one coil
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates generally to a propulsion system for an elevator having a first motor portion mounted to one of an object to be moved and a stationary structure and a second motor portion mounted to the other of the object to be moved and the stationary structure, the first motor portion having at least one coil.