Multi-rotor Electrical Machine Radial Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-rotor electric machines face challenges in improving torque characteristics and durability due to variability in torque at the rotor level, and they often require larger axial dimensions to facilitate effective cooling.
Innovation Solution
The design features a plurality of bi-pole magnetized rotors oriented substantially perpendicular to a common shaft, with a common stator extending circumferentially around the shaft, allowing for improved torque transmission and cooling through radial arrangement, which reduces axial dimensions while maintaining a large frontal area for enhanced cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If multiple rotors are used to enhance power output, then power increases, but torque variability and durability challenges worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple rotors with a common shaft into a single integrated assembly, where all rotors rotate together about the same axis. This merging approach ensures synchronized operation of all rotors, eliminating relative motion and torque variability between rotors, thereby improving durability while maintaining enhanced power output.
Solution Approach 2:
The common shaft serves multiple functions simultaneously: it supports all rotors, provides a unified rotation axis, and acts as the output shaft. This multi-functionality ensures that all rotors operate in unison under the same rotational conditions, improving reliability while delivering combined power from all rotors.
2Temperature
If effective cooling is implemented, then thermal management improves, but axial dimensional envelope increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from axial cooling arrangements to radial cooling by positioning cooling channels and features in the radial direction rather than the axial direction. This dimensional change allows effective cooling to occur through the radius of the common shaft, improving thermal management without increasing the axial dimensional envelope.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling channels are nested within the common shaft structure itself, with cooling features integrated into the shaft's radial cross-section. This nesting approach embeds the cooling system within the existing structural components, providing effective cooling while maintaining a compact axial profile.
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 operational characteristics and durability, providing improved torque and cooling efficiency while allowing the electric machines to be more compact, thus fitting within narrower spaces and maintaining high performance.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of bi-pole magnetized rotors configured to drive a common output shaft... one or more common stators each having windings circumferentially spaced apart thereon... when a current is passed through the windings, the rotors provide rotary power to the common output shaft
Data Source
AI summary
The electric machine includes a plurality of rotors drivingly coupled to a common shaft defining a shaft axis about which the common shaft is rotatable, and a common stator for the plurality of rotors, the common stator extending circumferentially about the common shaft. The rotors are rotatable about respective rotor axes which are substantially perpendicular to the shaft axis.