Cooling fan for refrigerant cooled motor
AssigneeTrane International Inc.
InventorJoseph M. HEGER
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An electric motor for a vapor compression system is disclosed. The electric motor is provided with a working fluid. The electric motor includes a housing forming cavity therein. The housing includes a rotor, a stator, and a shaft. The rotor is secured to the shaft and the stator surrounds at least a portion of the rotor. An airgap is formed between the rotor and the stator. An inlet of the housing receives the working fluid and is in fluid communication with the airgap. An outlet of the housing is in fluid communication with the airgap and receives the working fluid from the airgap. The electric motor further includes an impeller that induces flow of the working fluid between the inlet and the outlet.
Claims20
An electric motor for a vapor compression system, the electric motor being provided with a working fluid, the electric motor comprising:
- a housing forming cavity therein, the housing including:
- a rotor, a stator, and a shaft, wherein the rotor is secured to the shaft and the stator surrounds at least a portion of the rotor;
- an airgap formed between the rotor and the stator;
- an inlet that receives the working fluid and is in fluid communication with the airgap;
- an outlet that is in fluid communication with the airgap and receives the working fluid from the airgap;
- and
- an impeller that induces flow of the working fluid between the inlet and the outlet.
A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, comprising:
- a compressor;
- and
- an electric motor coupled to the compressor, wherein the electric motor provides a mechanical power to the compressor, the electric motor including:
- a housing forming cavity therein, the housing including:
- a rotor, a stator, and a shaft, wherein the rotor is secured to the shaft and the stator surrounds at least a portion of the rotor, an airgap being formed between the rotor and the stator, the shaft being coupled with the compressor;
- an inlet that receives the working fluid and is in fluid communication with the airgap;
- an outlet that is in fluid communication with the airgap and receives the working fluid from the airgap;
- and
- an impeller that induces flow of the working fluid between the inlet and the outlet.
A method for cooling an electric motor in a vapor compression system, the electric motor including a housing forming cavity therein, the housing including a rotor, a stator, and a shaft, wherein the rotor is secured to the shaft and the stator surrounds at least a portion of the rotor, an airgap being formed between the rotor and the stator, the method comprising:
- providing a working fluid to an inlet of the housing;
- cooling the electric motor by moving the working fluid from the inlet of the housing through the airgap, the working fluid receiving heat from the electric motor;
- and
- discharging the working fluid from an outlet of the housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.