MOTOR COOLING APPLICATIONS

• US 20100006264A1
• Filed: 07/13/2009
• Published: 01/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: BEAVERSON, Gregory K., WELCH, Andrew M., SOMMER, Steven T., ESTES, Steven J., JADRIC, Ivan, NAMBIAR, Koman B., HANSEN, John C.
• Granted Patent: US 8,516,850 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 165/104.190
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 25/06 the pump being electrically driven F04D25/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 29/5806 Cooling the drive system
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 31/008 by injecting a liquid
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 11/33 Drive circuits, e.g. power electronics H02K11/38 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 5/203 specially adapted for liquids, e.g. cooling jackets
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/09 with magnetic bearings
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 9/10 by gaseous cooling medium flowing in closed circuit, a part of which is external to the machine casing
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 9/20 wherein the cooling medium vaporises within the machine casing

Abstract

A cooling system is provided for a motor powering a compressor in a vapor compression system. The cooling system including a housing and a cavity within the housing. A first fluid circuit has a first connection to receive a refrigerant into the cavity, and a second connection to deliver refrigerant from the cavity to a heat exchanger for a heat transfer relationship with a heat-generating component.

Claims

1. A cooling system for a motor powering a compressor in a vapor compression system, the cooling system comprising:

a housing and a cavity within the housing;

a first fluid circuit having a first connection to receive a refrigerant into the cavity, and a second connection to deliver refrigerant from the cavity to a heat exchanger for a heat transfer relationship with a heat-generating component.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the cavity contains electromagnetic bearings to radially support a motor shaft.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the compressor is a multi-staged compressor.

4. The system of claim 1, comprising tubing extending longitudinally inside the cavity.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the tubing is positioned in close proximity with at least one salient pole of a motor stator.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the heat-generating component is associated with operation of the vapor compression system.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the heat-generating component is a variable speed drive component.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the refrigerant provided in the heat transfer relationship to the heat-generating component is positioned upstream of the first connection with the cavity.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the motor housing includes a plurality of grooves formed within the cavity.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the plurality of grooves are helically arranged.

11. The system of claim 10, comprising tubing positioned in the plurality of grooves.

12. The system of claim 6, comprising a control device in fluid communication between the condenser and the first connection.

13. The system of claim 11, comprising a second fluid circuit having a third connection from the cavity in fluid communication with a condenser to deliver a refrigerant into the cavity, and the fourth connection from the cavity in fluid communication with the loop.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the second fluid circuit provides liquid refrigerant to the motor.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the second fluid circuit provides vapor refrigerant to the motor.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the first fluid circuit and the second fluid circuit are independent from each other.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the first fluid circuit provides liquid refrigerant to the motor and the second fluid circuit provides vapor refrigerant to the motor.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein the second fluid circuit includes a control device in fluid communication with and positioned between the condenser and the first connection.

19. The system of claim 13, wherein the second fluid circuit includes a pump in fluid communication with and positioned between the condenser and the first connection.

20. A cooling system for a motor powering a compressor in a vapor compression system, the cooling system comprising:

a housing and a cavity within the housing;

the housing including a plurality of grooves formed within the cavity; and

a first fluid circuit having a first connection to receive a refrigerant into the cavity, and a second connection to deliver refrigerant from the cavity to a heat exchanger for a heat transfer relationship with a heat-generating component associated with operation of the vapor compression system.