Stator Guide Vane Cooling Conduits for Aircraft Motor Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aircraft electric motor cooling systems are heavy, bulky, and economically inefficient, failing to adequately address overheating issues in electric fan motors while requiring improved performance and reduced weight and profile.
Innovation Solution
A motor cooling system utilizing stator guide vanes with fluid conduits to circulate oil between engine components, including an oil pump and electric propulsion fan motor, with orthogonal conduits and bypass air flow channels to enhance cooling, supported by a stator housing and engine nacelle, and a method involving fluid temperature management to cool both motors and controllers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional cooling systems are used for electric fan motors, then the motors can be cooled, but the system becomes heavy and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system merges the stator guide vanes (structural component) with fluid conduits (cooling component) into a single integrated structure. The vanes serve dual purposes: directing airflow and transporting cooling fluid between the oil pump and electric propulsion fan motor, eliminating the need for separate cooling system components and reducing overall weight
Solution Approach 2:
The stator guide vanes perform multiple functions simultaneously: they guide bypass air flow, contain the cooling fluid conduits, provide structural support within the engine nacelle, and facilitate thermal transfer from the electric motor. This multi-functionality eliminates redundant components and reduces system weight
2Temperature
If conventional cooling systems are used for electric fan motors, then the motors can be cooled, but the system profile increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling fluid conduits are nested within the stator guide vanes, which themselves are positioned within the engine nacelle. This nested arrangement allows the cooling system to occupy the same spatial envelope as the existing structural components, minimizing the overall profile and drag of the aircraft engine assembly
3Temperature
If conventional cooling systems are used for electric fan motors, then cooling can be provided, but the system becomes economically inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the stator guide vanes and cooling conduits into a single integrated component, the number of separate parts requiring manufacturing, assembly, and maintenance is reduced. This integration simplifies the supply chain, reduces assembly operations, and lowers overall system cost
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-functional stator guide vane reduces the total component count by eliminating dedicated cooling system parts. Fewer components mean lower manufacturing costs, reduced inventory requirements, and simplified maintenance procedures, improving overall economic efficiency
4Temperature
If additional cooling components are added to reduce motor overheating, then cooling performance improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integration of cooling conduits within the stator guide vanes reduces component count and simplifies the system architecture. Instead of adding separate cooling components, the existing structural elements are enhanced with embedded fluid transport channels, maintaining simplicity while improving cooling performance
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 system achieves reduced weight, drag, and cost while providing superior thermal performance and reliability for aircraft motors and controllers, improving cooling efficiency and motor performance.
Implementation Method 1
flowing bypass air from an propulsion fan over the stator guide vane in order to cool the fluid within the at least on conduit
Implementation Method 2
flowing bypass air from an propulsion fan over the stator guide vane in order to cool the fluid within the at least on conduit
Implementation Method 3
driving return fluid from the at least one conduit at a second temperature by a pump to an electric motor in order to cool the electric motor
Implementation Method 4
driving return fluid from the at least one conduit at a second temperature by a pump to an electric motor in order to cool the electric motor
Data Source
AI summary
A motor cooling system including, an engine nacelle defining a primary axis, a stator housing within the engine nacelle, a plurality of stator guide vanes attached to the stator circumferentially disposed around the primary axis, where at least one stator guide vane of the plurality of stator guide vanes includes at least one conduit configured to receive a fluid from a first engine component in the engine nacelle and wherein at least one stator guide vane of the plurality of stator guide vanes includes at least one conduit configured to pass the fluid to a second engine component in the engine nacelle.