Stator Cooling Duct Segmentation for Heat Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stator arrangements in electric machines face inefficiencies in cooling, leading to thermal overheating and reduced insulation lifetime due to inadequate heat exchange capabilities of conventional cooling means.
Innovation Solution
The stator arrangement features a duct-like pipe divided into multiple separate cooling channels, which increases the heat exchange surface and allows for individual control of cooling parameters, enhancing cooling efficiency by placing the cooling means close to the heating source and varying the radial position and configuration of the channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a single duct-like pipe is used for cooling, then the device complexity is low, but the heat exchange surface area is insufficient leading to inadequate cooling efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The single duct-like pipe is divided into multiple separate cooling channels (first cooling channel, second cooling channel, third cooling channel, fourth cooling channel) within the stator slots. This segmentation increases the total heat exchange surface area between the cooling fluid and the stator windings, thereby improving cooling efficiency without requiring additional external cooling devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling channels are arranged in different radial positions (inner radius, intermediate radius, outer radius) within the stator slots, utilizing the radial dimension to maximize heat exchange surface area. This spatial arrangement allows the cooling fluid to contact heat sources at multiple radial distances, enhancing overall cooling performance.
2Temperature
If cooling means are placed close to the heating source, then cooling efficiency improves, but the available space within stator slots becomes constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The duct-like pipe with multiple cooling channels is nested within the stator slots, utilizing the existing space between the stator yoke and the stator windings. The cooling channels are arranged concentrically at different radial positions, allowing maximum heat exchange surface area within the constrained volume of the stator slot without interfering with the electrical insulation or mechanical structure.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple cooling channels are used, then the heat exchange surface area increases, but the manufacturing complexity of the duct-like pipe increases
Solution Approach 1:
The duct-like pipe is designed with multiple separate cooling channels that can be manufactured as individual components and then assembled or integrated into a single structure. This segmentation approach allows for simpler manufacturing of each individual channel while achieving the benefit of multiple channels for increased heat exchange surface area.
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 significantly improves cooling efficiency by increasing the heat exchange surface and allowing precise control of cooling fluid parameters, effectively reducing thermal hotspots and extending the insulation lifetime of electric machine components.
Implementation Method 1
thermal exchange between the respective sub-volumes of the cooling fluid flowing through the respective cooling channels is essentially diminished which leads to an increase of the cooling efficiency
Implementation Method 2
the volume of the cooling fluid flowing through the duct-like pipe or the respective cooling channels respectively is divided in respective sub-volumes
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~6
AI summary
Stator arrangement (1) for an electric machine, comprising a stator (2) having a stator yoke (3) with a number of stator slots (4), with each stator slot (4) accommodating at least one set of stator windings (5) and at least one cooling means in the shape of a duct-like pipe (7), wherein the duct-like pipe (7) is divided in two or more separate cooling channels (11).