Spray cool means for cooling a modular inverter electric motor system

• US 7,679,234 B1
• Filed: 11/22/2006
• Issued: 03/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Parker Intangibles LLC (Parker-Hannifin Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Isothermal Systems Research Inc.
• Inventors: Weir, Tom D., Tilton, Charles L., Smetana, Bruce A.
• Primary Examiner(s): MULLINS, BURTON S
• Application Number:
  US11/603,796
• Time in Patent Office: 1,210 Days
• Field of Search: 361/699, 310/54, 165/104.33
• US Class Current: 310/54
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/007 Physical arrangements or structures of drive train converters specially adapted for the propulsion motors of electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/525 Temperature of converter or components thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 11/33 Drive circuits, e.g. power electronics H02K11/38 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 2205/09 Machines characterised by drain passages or by venting, breathing or pressure compensating means
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 9/19 for machines with closed casing and closed-circuit cooling using a liquid cooling medium, e.g. oil
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 9/20 wherein the cooling medium vaporises within the machine casing
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 Electric machine technologies in electromobility

Abstract

In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure an apparatus includes a means for converting a first type of electrical power to a second type of electrical power. The apparatus also includes a means for spraying a coolant on the means for converting.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

an electric motor configured to operate on a first type of electrical power;

a converter electrically connected to the motor, and configured to convert a second type of electrical power to the first type of electrical power to thereby supply power to the electric motor; and

a coolant system configured to spray coolant on the converter and on the electric motor;

a housing configured to enclose at least a portion of the converter and the coolant system;

a converter module comprising the housing, the converter, and the coolant system, wherein the converter module is configured to be removably mounted on the electric motor;

a first fluid connector portion supported on the converter module; and

a second fluid connector portion supported on the motor, wherein the first fluid connector portion and the second fluid connector portion are configured to couple in fluid communication in response to mounting the converter module on the electric motor to thereby connect in fluid communication the coolant system with the electric motor.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

the coolant system comprises a pump and a spray nozzle connected in fluid communication with the pump, and the nozzle is configured to spray coolant on the converter; and

the apparatus further comprises at least one coolant connection configured to enable the coolant system to supply coolant to the electric motor.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a first mounting feature defined on the converter module; and

a second mounting feature defined on the electric motor, wherein the first and second mounting features are configured to engage to thereby mount the converter module on the electric motor.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a first electrical connector portion supported on the converter module; and

a second electrical connector portion supported on the electric motor, wherein the first electrical connector portion and the second electrical connector portion are configured to electrically couple in response to mounting the converter module on the electric motor to thereby electrically connect the converter with the electric motor.

5. An apparatus, comprising:

a chassis;

at least one drive wheel supported by the chassis;

an electric motor configured to operate on a first type of electrical power, and supported by the chassis, and connectable with the drive wheel to thereby drive the drive wheel;

a converter module configured to be removably mounted on the motor and comprising;

a converter electrically connected to the electric motor, and configured to convert a second type of electrical power to the first type of electrical power to thereby supply power to the electric motor;

a coolant system configured to spray a coolant on the converter; and

a housing configured to enclose at least a portion of the converter and the coolant system;

a first fluid connector portion supported on the converter module; and

a second fluid connector portion supported on the motor, wherein the first fluid connector portion and the second fluid connector portion are configured to couple in fluid communication in response to mounting the converter module on the electric motor to thereby connect in fluid communication the coolant system with the electric motor.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein:

the electric motor is a spray cooled electric motor; and

the coolant system is connected in fluid communication to the motor to thereby supply coolant to the motor.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the coolant system is connected in fluid communication to a spray cooled electronic device to thereby supply coolant to the spray cooled device.

8. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein:

the coolant system is connected in fluid communication to the electric motor to thereby supply coolant to the electric motor; and

the coolant system is connected in fluid communication to a spray cooled electronic device to thereby supply coolant to the spray cooled device.

9. A hybrid vehicle, comprising:

a chassis;

a plurality of wheels supported by the chassis, wherein at least one of the wheels is a drive wheel configured to propel the vehicle;

an electric motor configured to operate on a first type of electrical power, and supported by the chassis, and connectable with the drive wheel to thereby drive the drive wheel;

a converter module comprising;

a converter electrically connected to the electric motor, and configured to convert a second type of electrical power to the first type of electrical power to thereby supply power to the electric motor;

a coolant system configured to spray a coolant on the converter; and

a housing configured to enclose at least a portion of the converter and at least a portion of the coolant system;

a first fluid connector portion supported on the converter module; and

a second fluid connector portion supported on the electric motor, wherein the first fluid connector portion and the second fluid connector portion are configured to couple in fluid communication in response to mounting the converter module on the electric motor to thereby connect in fluid communication the coolant system with the electric motor;

an internal combustion engine mechanically connected to the electric motor; and

a battery configured to receive power from, and provide power to, the electric motor.