Stator Bore Sealing Rings to Keep Coolant Out of Rotor Cavities
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric motor cooling systems face issues with coolant fluid leakage into the rotor cavity, leading to drag losses and reduced motor efficiency due to inadequate sealing designs, such as adhering sealing rings directly to the stator.
Innovation Solution
The stator sealing system extends the bore of the stator core with bend lamination layers or a bore sleeve to provide sealing interfaces for positioning sealing rings, effectively separating the coolant reservoir from the rotor cavity, using bend lamination layers or a bore sleeve to create sealing interfaces for sealing rings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If sealing rings are adhered directly to the stator, then the sealing structure is simple, but coolant fluid leaks through the adhesive coupling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary component (sealing ring positioned in a groove or on a flange) that mediates between the stator and the coolant fluid. This sealing ring acts as a dedicated sealing element that can be compressed or positioned to create an effective barrier, replacing the inadequate adhesive coupling method while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing ring functions as a flexible sealing element that can deform under compression to create an effective seal. This flexible component adapts to minor surface irregularities and maintains sealing pressure, ensuring reliable prevention of coolant leakage without requiring complex rigid sealing structures.
2Use of energy by moving object
If coolant fluid is used for cooling stator windings, then motor efficiency increases, but fluid leaks into the rotor cavity causing drag losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the motor interior into distinct fluid zones: a coolant-containing zone around the stator windings and a rotor cavity zone. The sealing structure creates a clear division between these zones, allowing coolant to effectively cool the stator while preventing it from entering the rotor cavity and causing drag losses on rotor rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing ring serves as an intermediary barrier that allows thermal management benefits to be realized while blocking harmful fluid migration. It mediates between the cooling requirement (allowing coolant contact with stator) and the efficiency requirement (preventing coolant entry into rotor cavity), enabling both goals to be achieved simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
Stator sealing systems are disclosed herein for sealing coolant fluid that cools a stator from entering a rotor cavity within a bore of the stator. The stator sealing system includes sealing rings positioned at sealing interfaces at both ends of the stator provided by either bend lamination layers on both ends of the stator or a bore sleeve positioned in the bore.