Integrally-Formed Motor Shaft Blower for Compressor Cooling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed, high power-density permanent magnet motors driving centrifugal compressors require accurate temperature control to prevent overheating, as separate blowers driven by additional motors can fail, disrupting cooling airflow.
Innovation Solution
An integrally-formed blower system is embedded within the motor shaft, using flow-inducing elements to direct cooling fluid from the non-drive end to the drive end, creating a cooling passage that exits through a housing vent, thereby maintaining airflow and preventing overheating without the need for a separate motor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a separate blower driven by a separate motor is used to direct cooling air through the motor, then the motor can be cooled effectively, but the system complexity increases and the risk of cooling failure increases due to additional motor failure points
Solution Approach 1:
The blower function is merged with the motor shaft by integrating flow-inducing elements directly into the shaft structure. This eliminates the separate blower motor and its associated complexity while maintaining the cooling function. The shaft now serves dual purposes: transmitting mechanical power and inducing cooling airflow.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor shaft is given multiple functions: it continues to transmit mechanical power to the compressor while simultaneously serving as the driving mechanism for the blower through integrated flow-inducing elements. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a separate blower motor.
2Temperature
If a separate blower driven by a separate motor is used to direct cooling air through the motor, then the motor can be cooled effectively, but the reliability of cooling system decreases due to potential motor or blower failure
Solution Approach 1:
The blower function is merged with the motor shaft by integrating flow-inducing elements directly into the shaft structure. This eliminates the separate blower motor and its associated complexity while maintaining the cooling function. The shaft now serves dual purposes: transmitting mechanical power and inducing cooling airflow.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor shaft serves itself by incorporating flow-inducing elements that allow it to generate cooling airflow as part of its own structure. The shaft's rotation inherently drives the cooling air flow without requiring external actuation, making the system more reliable.
3Device complexity
If a directly-driven fan is used for cooling, then the system is simpler, but it cannot be employed because the motor speed is too high (greater than 30,000 RPM)
Solution Approach 1:
The flow-inducing elements are nested within or integrated into the motor shaft structure itself. This allows the high-speed rotation of the shaft to effectively drive the cooling airflow without requiring a separate fan assembly, accommodating the high motor speed condition.
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 ensures reliable cooling and temperature regulation, reducing system complexity and eliminating the risk of motor overheating by directly linking the blower operation to the motor's rotation speed, thus maintaining efficient operation across varying power conditions.
Implementation Method 1
A blower is integrally-formed as part of the shaft and is operable in response to rotation of the shaft to produce a flow of cooling air within the cooling passage
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid compression system includes a compressor, an electric motor including a stator and a rotor positioned adjacent to the stator, and a shaft coupled to the rotor to support the rotor for rotation and having a drive end and a non-drive end. A plurality of flow-inducing elements are integrally-formed as part of the shaft and is adapted to induce a flow of fluid from the non-drive end toward the drive end in response to rotation of the shaft.