Systems and methods for fluid cooling of electric machines
First Claim
1. An electric machine comprising:
- a rotor fixed to a rotatable shaft and supported by means of one or more bearings;
a stator stationary in relation to the rotatable rotor and shaft with a gap between the rotor and the stator;
a housing surrounding all or part of the machine; and
one or more stator fluid flow pathways between the stator and the housing, wherein the stator fluid flow pathway comprises one or more fluid flow passages which allow a fluid to directly contact an outside surface of the stator along the length of the stator fluid flow pathway from a fluid inlet of the machine to a fluid outlet of the machine.
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Abstract
The invention provides systems and methods for cooling and lubrication of high power density electric machines with an enhanced fluid injection system. Multiple fluid flow passages may be provided within the electric machine, which may include a stator fluid flow pathway between the stator and the machine housing. The stator fluid flow pathway may comprise one or more passages which may allow a fluid to directly contact the stator and the rotor. A method for cooling the electric machine may include directing a fluid to flow through one or more passages between the stator and the housing, which may provide the opportunity to transfer heat from the stator and the rotor to the fluid, thereby cooling the stator and the rotor.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. An electric machine comprising:
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a rotor fixed to a rotatable shaft and supported by means of one or more bearings; a stator stationary in relation to the rotatable rotor and shaft with a gap between the rotor and the stator; a housing surrounding all or part of the machine; and one or more stator fluid flow pathways between the stator and the housing, wherein the stator fluid flow pathway comprises one or more fluid flow passages which allow a fluid to directly contact an outside surface of the stator along the length of the stator fluid flow pathway from a fluid inlet of the machine to a fluid outlet of the machine. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for cooling an electric machine comprising:
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providing a rotor fixed to a rotatable shaft; providing a stator stationary in relation to the rotatable rotor and shaft with a gap between the rotor and the stator; providing a housing surrounding all or part of the machine; providing one or more stator fluid flow pathways between the stator and the housing, wherein the stator fluid flow pathway comprises one or more fluid flow passages which allow a fluid to directly contact an outside surface of the stator along the length of the stator fluid flow pathway from a fluid inlet of the machine to a fluid outlet of the machine; and flowing a fluid in the one or more passages between the stator and the housing, such that the fluid directly contacts the stator and allows heat to transfer from the stator to the fluid, thereby cooling the stator. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification