US 2022/0190664 A1 · THERMAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IN-SLOT COOLING OF ELECTRIC MOTORS

Abstract

The thermal management system for in-slot cooling of electric motors includes separating structures, either in the form of a scaffolding structure or a monolithic winding structure which is placed in between the adjacent winding turns to physically separate the winding turns to define coolant fluid passages for circulation of a coolant fluid in direct contact with the lateral surfaces of the winding turns. The scaffolding and monolithic winding structures are made from an electrically insulating material and are filled with a dielectric fluid that serves both the coolant and the electrical insulator between the winding turns. An end-winding organizer may be positioned at two end regions of each stator tooth to provide a curved surface for the winding turns to be held in tension throughout the 180° winding end turns and is formed with grooves to define the passage for the coolant flow to ensure that the flowing coolant reaches the surface of the innermost winding turns.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A thermal management system for cooling of electric motors formed with a stator and a rotor, wherein the stator is configured with at least two stator teeth spaced apart one from another with at least one stator slot defined between the at least two stator teeth, and wherein at least one stator winding is wound around at least one of the at least two stator teeth, the stator winding having at least two winding turns, the system comprising:

at least one elongated spacing structure disposed between said at least two winding turns and separating one winding turn from another to define at least one coolant fluid passage therebetween, said at least one coolant fluid passage extending continuously along substantially an entire lateral surface of each of said at least two winding turns, and
at least one dielectric coolant fluid circulating along said at least one coolant fluid passage between said at least two winding turns in contiguous contact with said entire lateral surface of said each of said at least two winding turns.

A thermal management system for cooling of electric motors formed with a stator and a rotor, comprising:

a stator configured with at least two stator teeth spaced apart one from another with at least one stator slot defined between said at least two stator teeth,
at least one stator winding wound around at least one of said at least two stator teeth, and having at least two winding turns,
at least one elongated spacing structure disposed between said at least two winding turns and separating one winding turn from another to define at least one coolant fluid passage therebetween, said at least one coolant fluid passage extending continuously along substantially an entire lateral surface of each of said at least two winding turns, and
a dielectric coolant fluid circulating along said at least one coolant fluid passage between said at least two winding turns in contiguous contact with said entire lateral surface of said each of said at least two winding turns,
wherein said at least one stator winding is arranged in at least two layers, with each of said at least two layers accommodating at least two winding turns of said at least one stator winding, and wherein said at least one elongated spacing structure is disposed at both surfaces of each of said winding turns of said at least one stator winding.

2 more elements

A method for thermal management of electric motors formed with a rotor and a stator configured with at least two stator teeth spaced apart one from another with at least one stator slot defined between said at least two stator teeth, the method comprising:

winding at least two winding turns of at least one stator winding around at least one of at least two stator teeth,
disposing at least one elongated spacing structure between said at least two winding turns to separate one winding turn from another and define at least one coolant fluid passage therebetween, said at least one coolant fluid passage extending continuously along substantially an entire lateral surface of each of said at least two winding turns, and
circulating a dielectric coolant fluid along said at least one coolant fluid passage between said at least two winding turns in contiguous contact with said entire lateral surface of said each of said at least two winding turns.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Thermal management system and method for in-slot cooling of electric motors

Life of this patent

Thermal management system and method for in-slot cooling of electric motors

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20