Rotor Shaft Flow Element for Uniform Electric Machine Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electric machines face inefficiencies due to non-homogeneous temperature distribution and local hot spots in windings, which can be exacerbated by heating, leading to reduced performance and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An electric machine design featuring a rotor shaft that allows a non-conductive cooling medium to flow through, with a flow element directing the coolant to the rotor's front side and components, utilizing centrifugal force for heat dissipation and thermal transmission, thereby homogenizing temperature distribution and improving cooling efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a cooling medium flows through the rotor shaft to cool the electric machine, then cooling capacity is improved, but non-homogeneous temperature distribution and local hot spots occur in the windings
Solution Approach 1:
The flow element is designed with specific geometries (annular disk with collection structure, guide channels, redirecting structures) to direct the cooling medium to specific locations where heat is generated, such as the front side of the rotor and stator windings. This localized cooling approach ensures that cooling is applied precisely where needed, achieving homogeneous temperature distribution while maintaining high cooling capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The flow element acts as an intermediary component between the rotor shaft and the components to be cooled. It receives the cooling medium from the rotor shaft and redistributes it to the front side of the rotor and stator windings, ensuring uniform heat dissipation across all critical components
2Temperature
If cooling components are added to improve cooling efficiency, then temperature control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow element combines multiple cooling functions into a single integrated component. It includes collection structures to gather cooling medium, guide channels to direct flow, and redirecting structures to distribute coolant to multiple locations. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate components needed while maintaining high cooling efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The flow element serves multiple purposes: it collects cooling medium from the rotor shaft, directs it to the front side of the rotor, redirects it to stator windings, and ensures uniform distribution. This multi-functional design improves cooling efficiency without requiring multiple separate cooling components
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 design enhances cooling capacity, reduces the risk of local hot spots, increases efficiency, and allows for a more compact and lightweight coolant pump system by ensuring uniform heat dissipation across the electric machine components.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing centrifugal force for heat dissipation and thermal transmission
Implementation Method 2
ensuring uniform heat dissipation across the electric machine components
Data Source
AI summary
A flow element and an electric machine are provided. The electric machine includes a rotor arranged on a rotor shaft, a stator and a flow element, which is designed to direct a fluid output from the rotor shaft into an interior of the electric machine to an end side of the rotor.