Indirect Winding Temperature Monitoring via Stator Core Sensor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for monitoring winding temperature in electric motors are costly, require high installation effort, and often result in delayed switch-off due to thermal insulation and capacitive coupling issues, leading to potential motor damage from overheating.

Innovation Solution

An arrangement for indirect temperature measurement using a temperature sensor placed within the stator core, with a correction element and evaluation electronics to calculate the winding temperature from a local temperature reading, reducing installation costs and improving measurement accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a temperature sensor is installed directly in the winding or in the slots between windings, then the temperature measurement reliability is improved, but the installation effort and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature measurement reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The temperature sensor is extracted from the winding interior and placed in the stator core instead. This extraction eliminates the complex installation process of embedding sensors in windings while maintaining measurement capability through indirect measurement of the stator core temperature, which correlates with winding temperature.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The stator core temperature serves as an intermediary measurement point. Instead of directly measuring winding temperature, the sensor measures stator core temperature, which is then used as a proxy indicator for winding temperature, simplifying the measurement system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If an insulating layer is placed between the temperature sensor and the winding for electrical insulation, then the electrical safety is improved, but the thermal insulation increases causing delayed temperature detection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical insulationVSAvoidtemperature detection delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor is extracted from direct proximity to the winding and placed in the stator core, eliminating the need for thick insulating layers between sensor and winding. The measurement point is moved to where electrical insulation is not a constraint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of manufacture

If the temperature sensor is placed at a distance from the winding for easier installation, then the installation cost is reduced, but the temperature measurement accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation costVSAvoidtemperature measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The stator core acts as an intermediary medium that transmits thermal information from the winding to the sensor. The sensor measures stator core temperature, which serves as a reliable indicator of winding temperature, maintaining accuracy without requiring direct contact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the measured stator core temperature as feedback to infer winding temperature conditions. By monitoring stator core temperature changes, the system can detect winding overheating trends and trigger protective actions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Measurement precision

If multiple temperature sensors are installed at different winding positions to detect the hottest point, then the temperature monitoring coverage is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature monitoring coverageVSAvoidsensor quantity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple sensors in the winding are extracted and replaced by a single sensor in the stator core. The stator core temperature provides a representative measurement that reflects the thermal state of the entire winding system, eliminating the need for multiple distributed sensors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

Enables reliable and timely detection of overheating, reducing the risk of motor damage by allowing for early switch-off and optimizing motor operation with reduced assembly effort and costs.

Implementation Method 1

detecting at least one local temperature TL within the stator core (4), which is different from the winding temperature, by means of a temperature sensor (10)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal energy measurement:

Implementation Method 2

Calculation of the temperature(s) Tw of the windings from the respective local temperature TL detected by a temperature sensor (10) and a correction value KL

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature gradient correction: Temperature Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP3571749A1Winding temperature monitoring
Publication Date: 2019.11.27 EBM PAPST MULFINGEN GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

The invention relates to an arrangement (1) for indirectly detecting the winding temperature of the tooth windings (2) of an electric motor (3) formed with a stator core (4) comprising at least one sensor installation space (5) within the stator core (4), wherein the respective sensor installation space (5) is arranged at a distance from the windings (2) of the motor (3) for the purpose of detecting the respectively local temperature TL using at least one temperature sensor (10) which is arranged in a sensor installation space (5), and also a correction element (20) for ascertaining the winding temperature Tw from the respective local temperature TL, which is detected by a temperature sensor (10), and a correction value KL.