Tangential Coolant Flow in Electric Machine Windings
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complex internal configuration of electric machines makes it difficult to circulate coolant effectively around winding end turns, leading to suboptimal cooling due to coolant following a path of least resistance, resulting in inadequate heat removal.
Innovation Solution
A cooling apparatus and method that utilize coolant splitters to redirect coolant flow tangentially through winding end turns, ensuring even distribution and redirection to improve cooling efficiency, comprising a plurality of coolant input and output paths and a method of circulating coolant between adjacent winding end turns to enhance heat removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If coolant is circulated around windings in a conventional path of least resistance, then the cooling system is simple to implement, but the coolant distribution is suboptimal and heat removal is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into multiple independent coolant paths (first coolant path, second coolant path, third coolant path) that distribute coolant to different regions of the winding end turns. This segmentation ensures that coolant reaches all critical areas rather than following a single path of least resistance, improving cooling effectiveness while maintaining system simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the winding end turns are provided with different coolant paths based on their specific cooling needs. The first coolant path serves a first region, the second coolant path serves a second region, and the third coolant path serves a third region, ensuring that each local area receives adequate coolant flow for effective heat removal
2Ease of operation
If coolant follows a path of least resistance outside the winding end turns, then the coolant circulation is easier to achieve, but the cooling of winding end turns is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The coolant paths are configured to extend in different spatial dimensions and orientations to reach various regions of the winding end turns. The paths are arranged to penetrate through the winding structure rather than flowing around it, ensuring coolant contact with hot surfaces while maintaining natural circulation patterns
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 improves coolant distribution and heat removal from winding end turns, enhancing the cooling efficiency of electric machines by ensuring coolant flows tangentially through the winding end turns, thereby optimizing the cooling process.
Implementation Method 1
it may be required to circulate a coolant around the windings of the machine in order to remove heat resulting from the passage of an electric current therein. As the coolant circulates around the windings, heat is removed
Data Source
AI summary
Winding end turns in an electric machine are cooled by a coolant. Cooling is improved by redirecting the coolant generally tangentially through the winding end turns to improve heat transfer between coolant and windings.