Spiral Cooling Passage Layout for Uniform Motor Coolant Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotating electric machines suffer from inadequate coolant distribution and cooling efficiency due to uneven flow patterns in their cooling passages, particularly at the ends of the casing, leading to limited cooling range and potential deviations in coolant flow.
Innovation Solution
A rotating electric machine with a casing featuring a spiral passage that includes widened regions with rectifying partition walls to manage coolant flow, branching and merging portions, and rectifying partition walls to distribute coolant smoothly and expand the cooling range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a spiral cooling passage is used in rotating electric machines, then the cooling range is expanded, but the coolant flow distribution becomes uneven and deviation occurs at expanded portions
Solution Approach 1:
The spiral cooling passage is segmented into multiple flow paths by inserting partition walls that extend from the inner peripheral surface to the outer peripheral surface of the casing. This segmentation divides the coolant flow into multiple streams, preventing flow concentration and deviation at expanded portions, thereby improving flow distribution uniformity while maintaining the expanded cooling range provided by the spiral configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition walls are strategically positioned at specific locations within the spiral passage where flow deviation is most likely to occur. By locally modifying the flow path structure at these critical positions, the invention addresses flow distribution issues without altering the overall spiral geometry that provides the expanded cooling range, thus resolving the contradiction between cooling range and flow uniformity.
2Area of stationary object
If the cooling passage is bent in a crank shape to spread coolant, then the cooling range is expanded, but the refrigerant does not flow smoothly and pressure loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention adopts a spiral configuration with gradual curvature instead of sharp crank-shaped bends. The spiral passage maintains a constant radius of curvature and smooth transitions, allowing coolant to flow continuously without abrupt direction changes. This reduces flow separation and turbulence, minimizing pressure loss while still achieving expanded cooling range through the spiral geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition walls are pre-positioned within the spiral passage to guide and straighten the coolant flow before it enters regions prone to deviation. This preliminary flow conditioning prevents the development of unstable flow patterns and reduces the formation of eddies, thereby maintaining smooth flow and reducing pressure loss throughout the extended cooling passage.
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
The solution enhances coolant distribution and cooling efficiency by minimizing flow deviations and expanding the cooling area, resulting in improved thermal management and reduced pressure loss.
Implementation Method 1
the rectifying partition wall is provided in the widened region of the spiral passage, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of deviation in the flow of the coolant at the expanded portion of the flow passage and to distribute the coolant throughout the flow passage of the spiral passage
Implementation Method 2
a casing configured to accommodate a rotor and a stator, the casing including a spiral passage through which a coolant in a form of liquid flows
Implementation Method 3
causing the coolant to flow smoothly while expanding the cooling range
Data Source
AI summary
A rotating electric machine casing includes a flow passage forming wall which spirally extends at a constant inclination angle, at least partially between an upstream end and a downstream end of a spiral passage. The spiral passage includes first and second widened regions. First and second rectifying partition walls extending along the spiral passage is formed in the first and second widened regions.