Submersible Motor Segmented Encasement Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing submersible motors face reliability issues due to the limited lifespan of seals that prevent liquid ingress, which can lead to motor damage or failure if liquid leaks into the stator or rotor.
Innovation Solution
The motor design incorporates encasement members made of corrosion-resistant materials around the stator and rotor cores, along with a non-metallic bearing support, to create a cavity filled with coolant, preventing direct contact between the cores and the coolant and thus minimizing corrosion and extending motor lifespan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If seals are used to prevent liquid ingress in submersible motors, then the motor can operate in aqueous environments, but the motor reliability is limited by the seal lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The motor is divided into separate sealed compartments: the stator is enclosed in a stator encasement and the rotor in a rotor encasement, with the coolant cavity positioned between them. This segmentation isolates the electrical components from direct coolant contact while allowing the motor to operate submerged, thereby improving reliability without sacrificing adaptability to aqueous environments.
2Temperature
If liquid flows around the motor housing to remove heat, then cooling efficiency is improved, but liquid leakage into the stator or rotor causes motor damage or failure
Solution Approach 1:
The coolant cavity acts as an intermediary space between the stator and rotor, allowing coolant to flow and remove heat from both components while preventing direct contact with the electrical windings. This mediator approach enables effective thermal management without compromising the electrical components, resolving the contradiction between cooling efficiency and reliability.
3Reliability
If seals are used to prevent liquid contact with electrical components, then motor protection is provided, but the motor life is dictated by seal lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The motor components are segmented into separate encased units with the stator, rotor, and coolant cavity forming distinct compartments. This segmentation eliminates the need for seals at the interface between rotating and stationary components, allowing the motor to achieve its full design life without being limited by seal degradation.
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 effectively inhibits corrosion and extends the motor's operational life by preventing liquid contact with the stator and rotor cores, even when submerged, ensuring reliable operation and reduced maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
A first encasement member is formed around the stator core to define a cavity and a second encasement member is formed around the rotor core... A quantity of coolant is disposed within the cavity
Implementation Method 2
Some motors include channels around the motor housing that allow a liquid to flow around the housing and remove some of the heat produced by the motor
Data Source
AI summary
A motor that is operable in response to an external power supply includes a stator core that is electrically connected to the external power supply and a rotor core positioned adjacent the stator core and rotatable about an axis in response to power being delivered to the stator core by the external power supply. A first encasement member is formed around the stator core to define a cavity and a second encasement member is formed around the rotor core and is sized such that at least a portion of the second encasement member and rotor core is disposed within the cavity. A quantity of coolant is disposed within the cavity.