Method and system for cooling a motor or motor enclosure

• US 20060066155A1
• Filed: 09/25/2004
• Published: 03/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BluWav Systems LLC (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: BluWav Systems LLC (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Benson, Mark A., Peyghaleh, Mansour, Matin, Kaiser, Penzenstadler, Ernest G.
• Granted Patent: US 7,687,945 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 310/52
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 11/33 Drive circuits, e.g. power electronics H02K11/38 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 17/30 Structural association of asynchronous induction motors with auxiliary electric devices influencing the characteristics of the motor or controlling the motor, e.g. with impedances or switches
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 5/136 explosion-proof
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 5/18 with ribs or fins for improving heat transfer
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 9/14 wherein gaseous cooling medium circulates between the machine casing and a surrounding mantle

Abstract

A method and system of cooling an enclosure or motor is disclosed. An exemplary permanent magnet electric motor is formed with an external stator and an internal rotor. The motor controller is in thermal proximity to the motor but is thermally isolated from the motor by an air chamber. In one exemplary embodiment, one or more heat sinks are provided to create efficient heat removal paths. In another exemplary embodiment, one of more heat pipes are located in the system.

Claims

1. A method for transferring heat from a controller and an electric motor to a surrounding environment, wherein said motor and controller are in thermal proximity to each other, said method comprising the steps of thermally insulating said controller from said motor by an air pocket.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said heat transfer is by natural convection through the air.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said controller is located inside a chamber that is thermally coupled with at least some portion of said motor.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said chamber comprises a sloped top surface for enhancing air flow over the chamber.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said controller or motor is thermal coupled with at least one heat sink.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said controller or motor is thermally coupled with one or more cooling fins formed on a exterior perimeter.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein said heat sink is thermally coupled to one or more cooling fins.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein one or more heat pipes are thermally coupled with said controller or said motor.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein one or more said heat pipes are thermally coupled with said cooling fins and one or more said heat sinks.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein one or more heat pipes are thermally coupled with the surrounding environment.

11. An electric motor comprising:

a stator;

a rotor;

a controller secured to said motor and in thermal proximity to said motor, wherein said controller is thermally insulated from said motor by an air pocket.

12. The motor of claim 11 wherein said motor is located in a totally enclosed housing.

13. The motor of claim 11 wherein said controller is located in a controller chamber that is thermally coupled to at least some portion of said motor.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein said motor or controller is thermally coupled with at least one heat sink.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein said motor or said controller chamber is thermally coupled with one or more cooling fins formed on an exterior perimeter.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein said heat sink is thermally coupled to one or more said cooling fins.

17. The method of claim 11 wherein one or more heat pipes are thermally coupled with said controller or said motor.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein said one or more said heat pipes are thermally coupled with said cooling fins and said one or more said heat sinks.