Rotating Electric Machine Coolant Flow Path Negative Pressure Leakage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling structures for rotating electric machines face issues with coolant leakage at high speeds due to centrifugal forces, leading to decreased cooling efficiency and increased device size when trying to enhance airtightness.
Innovation Solution
A coolant flow path structure with a negative pressure mechanism, utilizing a fan to generate radial airflow and protruding exit from the end plate, reduces coolant leakage by creating a negative pressure environment at the exit, minimizing gaps between the rotor and end plates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the rotor is rotated at high speed, then cooling efficiency is improved, but coolant leakage increases due to centrifugal force
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary anti-action by creating a negative pressure environment in the coolant flow path before coolant leakage can occur. The negative pressure structure, positioned to face the rotational direction of the rotor, generates a pressure gradient that opposes the centrifugal force-driven coolant leakage, thereby preventing coolant loss while maintaining high-speed rotation for effective cooling
2Loss of substance
If airtightness between rotor and end plate is enhanced to prevent coolant leakage, then coolant leakage decreases, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies pneumatic principles by utilizing pressure differential (negative pressure) control to prevent coolant leakage. Instead of mechanically enhancing airtightness through tighter seals or larger structures, the negative pressure structure creates a pressure gradient that actively prevents coolant from leaking through existing gaps, thereby maintaining compact device dimensions while effectively reducing coolant loss
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 effectively reduces coolant leakage and maintains a compact device size by enhancing cooling efficiency through the negative pressure structure and radial airflow, ensuring efficient cooling of the rotor and stator.
Implementation Method 1
The negative pressure structure, which brings an exit of the coolant flow path structure into a negative pressure as a result of a rotation of the rotor, is provided at the exit of the second coolant flow path
Implementation Method 2
a fan which rotates integrally with the rotor and generates a radial air flow around the axial exit
Implementation Method 3
the rotor is cooled by causing a coolant to flow with a pump
Implementation Method 4
When current is caused to flow through the coil of the stator of the rotating electric machine, heat is generated in the coil by generation of Joule heat
Implementation Method 5
permanent magnets being buried in a circumferential direction of the rotor, eddy current is generated in the permanent magnets as a result of a rotation of the rotor, and the permanent magnets generate heat due to the eddy current
Data Source
AI summary
A coolant flow path structure which cools a rotor is configured of a first coolant flow path forming a radial coolant flow path of the rotor and a second coolant flow path communicating with the first coolant flow path and forming an axial coolant flow path of the rotor, and a negative pressure structure, which brings an exist of the coolant flow path structure into a negative pressure as a result of a rotation of the rotor, is provided at the exit of the second coolant flow path.