Rotor Cooled Electrical Machine with Asymmetric Conduit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrical machines generate thermal energy during operation, which can be detrimental and affect their performance, as existing cooling methods are inefficient in managing this heat effectively.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a conduit within the rotor cavity that receives thermal energy via thermal conduction and circulates a fluid with a boiling point lower than the operating temperature, allowing for efficient heat removal and transfer, while additional conduits and fluids are used to maintain the shaft temperature below the boiling point of the primary fluid, enabling continuous cooling and phase change for effective heat management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional cooling methods are used, then the structure is simple, but thermal energy removal is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The conduit is positioned within the cavity of the rotor, nesting the cooling system inside the rotor structure. This allows efficient thermal energy removal from the magnet arrangement while integrating the cooling function within the existing rotor geometry, minimizing additional complexity
Solution Approach 2:
A fluid is introduced as an intermediary medium to transfer thermal energy from the rotor to the external environment. The fluid circulates through the conduit, absorbing thermal energy at the inlet and exhausting it at the outlet, enabling efficient heat removal without direct thermal contact between the rotor and external cooling systems
2Loss of energy
If the inlet is positioned at a greater radial distance, then thermal energy capture is improved, but the outlet positioning becomes constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The conduit is configured with asymmetric inlet and outlet positioning relative to the rotor axis. The inlet is positioned at a first radial distance while the outlet is positioned at a second radial distance, creating an asymmetric arrangement that optimizes thermal energy capture at the inlet while maintaining feasible outlet positioning for fluid exhaustion
Solution Approach 2:
The conduit extends between the first end and second end of the rotor, utilizing the axial dimension in addition to radial positioning. This three-dimensional configuration allows the inlet to be positioned at a greater radial distance for optimal thermal capture while the outlet can be positioned at a different radial distance and axial location, resolving the geometric constraints
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 solution enhances the performance of electrical machines by efficiently removing thermal energy, improving operational efficiency and providing additional torque, thus addressing the thermal management challenges faced by electrical machines.
Implementation Method 1
The conduit may be coupled to the first portion for receiving thermal energy from the first portion via thermal conduction
Implementation Method 2
The first fluid may have a boiling point that is lower than an operating temperature of the rotor
Implementation Method 3
The first fluid may have a boiling point that is lower than an operating temperature of the rotor
Implementation Method 4
a second fluid within the cavity of the shaft for cooling the shaft to a temperature below the boiling point of the first fluid
Data Source
AI summary
Electrical machine apparatus comprising: a rotor having an axis of rotation and defining a cavity therein; and a conduit positioned within the cavity of the rotor, the conduit comprising an inlet arranged to receive a fluid and an outlet arranged to exhaust the fluid, the inlet having a first radial distance from the axis of rotation and the outlet having a second radial distance from the axis of rotation, the first radial distance being greater than the second radial distance.