Electric Motor Stator Cooling Power Electronics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heat dissipation in electric motors and their controllers is inefficient, leading to reduced efficiency and potential damage due to overheating, especially when power electronics are densely packed, necessitating separate placement of controllers to facilitate cooling.
Innovation Solution
An electric motor stator assembly with an enclosure that channels a coolant flow over both the stator windings and power electronics, allowing direct contact and effective cooling of both components, potentially embedding power electronics within the stator assembly and using a dielectric liquid for enhanced heat management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If power electronics are densely packed in the controller, then the controller size is reduced, but heat dissipation efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the controller and motor into a single integrated unit, with power electronics mounted directly on the motor housing. This integration allows the controller to utilize the motor's internal cooling pathways and eliminates the need for separate controller cooling systems, enabling dense packing without compromising heat dissipation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a heat sink as an intermediary component between the power electronics and the motor housing. This heat sink acts as a thermal conduit, transferring heat from the densely packed power electronics to the motor housing's cooling system, thereby maintaining efficient heat dissipation even with high component density.
2Temperature
If controller is placed separately from motor, then heat dissipation is improved, but overall system size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the controller and motor into a single integrated assembly, where the controller is mounted directly on the motor housing. This merger eliminates the need for separate controller housing and cooling systems, reducing overall system size while maintaining effective heat dissipation through shared thermal pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor housing serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the motor, acts as a mounting surface for the controller, and functions as a heat sink for both the motor and controller. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, thereby reducing overall system size while maintaining heat dissipation efficiency.
3Temperature
If power electronics are spaced out for cooling, then heat dissipation is improved, but controller size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a heat sink as an intermediary thermal management component that enables dense packing of power electronics. The heat sink absorbs heat from the power electronics and transfers it to the motor housing's cooling system, allowing components to be placed closer together without compromising heat dissipation efficiency.
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 enables more effective cooling of power electronics and windings, allowing for miniaturization of the motor and its electronics while maintaining efficient heat dissipation, thus reducing the overall footprint and preventing overheating.
Implementation Method 1
a flow of coolant is channelled over both the windings and elements of the power electronics
Implementation Method 2
a flow of coolant is channelled over both the windings and elements of the power electronics
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A stator assembly comprising stator windings and power electronics coupled to the windings for powering the windings, wherein the stator assembly is arranged so that when it is disposed in an enclosure, a flow of coolant is channelled over both the windings and elements of the power electronics.