Pumping Device Motor Cooling via Fluidic Heat Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pumping devices with electric drive motors suffer from inefficient thermal management, leading to reduced motor efficiency and increased weight, size, and cost due to insufficient cooling, particularly in the automotive sector.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a cooling unit fluidically connected to the pump, where a portion of the fluid delivered by the pump is used for liquid cooling of the electric drive motor, allowing waste heat to be transferred back into the fluid with minimal volumetric efficiency loss, thus enhancing thermal management without the need for additional cooling circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the electric drive motor is cooled by heat dissipation via the housing to the external environment, then the motor temperature is reduced, but the cooling efficiency is insufficient leading to reduced motor efficiency and increased weight and size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cooling unit with cooling channels as an intermediary component between the motor and the pumped fluid. This cooling unit mediates heat transfer by allowing the pumped fluid to flow through channels in thermal contact with the motor, efficiently carrying away heat without requiring direct contact between the motor and external cooling systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the hydraulic system's existing pumped fluid as the cooling medium. By routing this fluid through cooling channels in thermal contact with the motor, the system leverages the hydraulic fluid's flow and heat capacity to provide efficient cooling, eliminating the need for separate cooling circuits.
2Temperature
If a separate cooling circuit with additional heat exchanger is used to cool the electric drive motor, then the cooling efficiency is improved, but the device complexity and installation space increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cooling function with the existing hydraulic system by using the same pumped fluid for both its primary function and for cooling the motor. The cooling unit is integrated into the hydraulic circuit, combining two functions (fluid delivery and motor cooling) into a unified system that reduces overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pumped fluid serves multiple functions: it performs the primary hydraulic function of delivering fluid to the intended destination while simultaneously serving as the cooling medium for the electric drive motor. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate cooling circuits and reduces system complexity.
3Productivity
If a larger electric drive motor is used to compensate for thermal losses, then the motor efficiency is maintained, but the weight and installation space increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary cooling action by removing heat from the motor during operation through the cooling unit. By continuously extracting heat via the pumped fluid flowing through the cooling channels, the motor operates at lower temperatures, maintaining efficiency without requiring oversizing to compensate for thermal losses.
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 approach improves the electric drive motor's efficiency, reduces weight and installation space requirements, and lowers costs by utilizing existing fluid for cooling, achieving effective thermal management with negligible volumetric loss.
Implementation Method 1
transfers waste heat from the electric drive motor to the fluid pumped by the pump
Data Source
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AI summary
Pumping device (1) comprising a pump (2) and a drive unit (3) with an electric drive motor (4) for the pump (2). The drive unit (3) has at least one cooling unit (13) for cooling the electric drive motor (4), which is fluidically connected to the pump (2). A fluid conveying arrangement and a method for cooling an electric drive motor (4) of a pumping device (1) are also disclosed therein.