Stator Frame Cooling Channels for Vibration Damping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for reducing vibrations in electrical machines due to rotor mass unbalance are costly and complex to manufacture, assemble, and service.

Innovation Solution

A stator frame with cooling fluid channels and fins that increases structural stiffness, reducing the need for additional damping systems by providing high rotational and axial stiffness, thereby minimizing vibrations and whirl.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If vibration dampers are used to reduce rotor mass unbalance vibrations, then vibration reduction is achieved, but manufacturing effort and expense increase considerably

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovevibrationVSAvoidmanufacturing effort and expense
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling system and vibration damping function are merged into a single integrated stator frame structure. The cooling fluid channels serve dual purposes: cooling the stator and providing vibration damping through the fluid's hydraulic damping effect, thereby eliminating the need for separate vibration dampers and reducing manufacturing complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling fluid channels in the stator frame are designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: thermal cooling of the stator components and vibration damping through hydraulic resistance. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components needed and simplifies the manufacturing process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If separate damping systems are added to reduce vibrations, then vibration reduction is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovevibrationVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The damping function is merged into the existing cooling system structure. The cooling fluid channels are designed with specific geometries that provide hydraulic damping while maintaining the cooling function, thereby integrating two functions into one system without adding separate damping components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling fluid itself provides the damping function without requiring additional damping materials or components. The fluid's natural hydraulic resistance within the channels creates the damping effect, allowing the system to serve its own damping needs through its existing cooling mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 effectively reduces the effort and expense associated with vibration reduction, enhancing the structural integrity and reducing rotor shaft vibrations efficiently.

Implementation Method 1

The waste heat generated by the machine is dissipated via natural convection/radiation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 2

The waste heat generated by the machine is dissipated via natural convection/radiation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadiation: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 3

The stator frame has cooling fluid channels and cooling fins on the outer surface of the stator frame

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3455925B1A stator frame of an electrical machine and an electrical machine
Publication Date: 2023.08.30 ABB (SCHWEIZ) AG
  • EP3455925B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to a stator frame of an electrical machine (1) having a first end (2) and a second opposite end (3). A flange (4) is protruding from the first end (2) and surrounding the first end (2). The stator frame (1) is having cooling fluid channels (6) and cooling fins (12) on the outer surface (7) of the stator frame (1) extending from the first end (2) to the second end (3). The stator frame (1) is formed as a single piece. The ends of the outer walls (9) of the cooling fluid channels (6) in the first end (2) are connected to the flange (4) and the cooling fins (12) extend to the junction of the flange (4) and the first end (2).