U.S. patent application number 13/431252 was filed with the patent office on 2012-10-11 for electric motor having fluid circulation system and methods for cooling an electric motor.
This patent application is currently assigned to NIDEC MOTOR CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Kenneth R. Friedman, Stephen M. Ruffing, Ronald W. Schmidt.
Application Number | 20120256504 13/431252 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42730108 |
Filed Date | 2012-10-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120256504 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ruffing; Stephen M. ; et
al. |
October 11, 2012 |
ELECTRIC MOTOR HAVING FLUID CIRCULATION SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR
COOLING AN ELECTRIC MOTOR
Abstract
An electric motor having a housing, a stator mounted in the
housing, and a rotor mounted in the housing for rotation relative
to the stator about a central axis. A plurality of fluid flow
passages extend through the rotor between opposite ends. An
electro-magnetic drive system is adapted for driving rotation of
the rotor relative to the stator. A fluid circulation system is in
fluid communication with the fluid flow passages for providing
fluid flow from the first end of the rotor to the second end of the
rotor through at least one of the fluid flow passages and fluid
flow from the second end of the rotor to the first end of the rotor
through at least one other of the fluid flow passages. The rotor
and components of the fluid circulation system can be assembled to
make a rotor assembly
Inventors: |
Ruffing; Stephen M.;
(Florissant, MO) ; Schmidt; Ronald W.; (St. Louis,
MO) ; Friedman; Kenneth R.; (Smithton, IL) |
Assignee: |
NIDEC MOTOR CORPORATION
St. Louis
MO
|
Family ID: |
42730108 |
Appl. No.: |
13/431252 |
Filed: |
March 27, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12402138 |
Mar 11, 2009 |
8159094 |
|
|
13431252 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
310/61 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02K 1/32 20130101; H02K
9/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
310/61 |
International
Class: |
H02K 1/32 20060101
H02K001/32; H02K 9/06 20060101 H02K009/06 |
Claims
1. An electric motor comprising: a housing; a stator mounted in the
housing; a rotor mounted in the housing for rotation relative to
the stator about a central axis, the rotor having first and second
opposite ends and a plurality of fluid flow passages extending
through the rotor between the first and second ends; an
electro-magnetic drive system operatively connected to the rotor
for driving rotation of the rotor relative to the stator; and a
fluid circulation system in fluid communication with the fluid flow
passages for providing fluid flow from the first end of the rotor
to the second end of the rotor through at least one of the fluid
flow passages and fluid flow from the second end of the rotor to
the first end of the rotor through at least one other of the fluid
flow passages, wherein the fluid circulation system comprises at
least one impeller mounted in the housing for rotation relative to
the stator, the impeller having a peripheral edge margin, an inlet
positioned radially inward from the peripheral edge margin and in
alignment with an opening at the end of at least one of the fluid
flow passages so the impeller inlet is positioned to receive fluid
as it exits the opening, and an outlet positioned radially outward
from the inlet, the impeller being adapted to produce at least some
of said fluid flow by propelling said fluid radially outward from
the inlet to the outlet when the impeller is rotated relative to
the stator.
2. An electric motor as set forth in claim 1 wherein the stator and
the rotor are totally enclosed by the housing.
3. An electric motor as set forth in claim 1 wherein said fluid
flow passages are substantially parallel to said central axis.
4. An electric motor as set forth in claim 1 wherein said fluid
flow passages comprise helical fluid flow passages.
5. An electric motor as set forth in claim 1 wherein said flow
includes fluid flow from the first end of the rotor to the second
end of the rotor through multiple passages of the plurality of
fluid flow passages and fluid flow from the second end to the first
end through multiple other passages of the plurality of fluid flow
passages.
6. An electric motor as set forth in claim 5 wherein the impeller
inlet is positioned to receive fluid as it exits multiple passages
of the plurality of fluid flow passages.
7. An electric motor as set forth in claim 5 wherein said plurality
of fluid flow passages are spaced angularly from one another about
said central axis.
8. An electric motor as set forth in claim 1 wherein the housing
and stator are substantially devoid of fluid flow passages in fluid
communication with fluid from the fluid circulation system.
9. An electric motor as set forth in claim 1 wherein the impeller
is connected to the rotor so that rotation of the rotor by the
electromagnetic drive system drives the impeller to rotate relative
to the stator.
10. An electric motor as set forth in claim 9 wherein the impeller
is fixedly secured to the rotor.
11. An electric motor as set forth in claim 1 wherein the rotor
includes a plurality of openings at each of the first and second
ends of the rotor, each of said fluid flow passages extending
between at least one of said openings at the first end and at least
one of said openings at the second end.
12. An electric motor as set forth in claim 1 wherein said at least
one impeller is a first impeller and said at least one of the fluid
flow passages is first fluid flow passage, the fluid circulation
system further comprising a second impeller mounted in the housing
for rotation relative to the stator at an opposite end of the rotor
from the first impeller, the second impeller having a peripheral
edge margin, an inlet positioned radially inward from the
peripheral edge margin and in alignment with an opening at the end
of a second one of the fluid flow passages so fluid enters the
second impeller inlet as it exits the opening of the second fluid
flow passage, and an outlet positioned radially outward from the
inlet, the second impeller being adapted to propel said fluid
radially outward from the inlet to the outlet when the impeller is
rotated relative to the stator.
13. An electric motor comprising: a housing; a stator mounted in
the housing; a rotor mounted in the housing for rotation relative
to the stator about a central axis, the rotor having first and
second opposite ends and a plurality of fluid flow passages
extending through the rotor between the first and second ends; an
electro-magnetic drive system operatively connected to the rotor
for driving rotation of the rotor relative to the stator; and a
fluid circulation system in fluid communication with the fluid flow
passages for providing fluid flow from the first end of the rotor
to the second end of the rotor through at least one of the fluid
flow passages and fluid flow from the second end of the rotor to
the first end of the rotor through at least one other of the fluid
flow passages, wherein the housing and stator are substantially
devoid of fluid flow passages that communicate with the with the
fluid circulated by the fluid circulation system
14. An electric motor as set forth in claim 13 wherein the stator
and the rotor are totally enclosed by the housing.
15. An electric motor as set forth in claim 13 wherein said fluid
flow passages are substantially parallel to said central axis.
16. An electric motor as set forth in claim 13 wherein said fluid
flow passages comprise helical fluid flow passages.
17. An electric motor as set forth in claim 1 wherein the fluid
circulation system comprises at least one impeller mounted in the
housing for rotation relative to the stator, the impeller having a
peripheral edge margin, an inlet positioned radially inward from
the peripheral edge margin, and an outlet positioned radially
outward from the inlet, the impeller being adapted to produce at
least some of said fluid flow by propelling said fluid radially
outward from the inlet to the outlet when the impeller is rotated
relative to the stator.
18. A method of cooling an electric motor comprising a housing, a
stator in the housing, a rotor having first and second opposite
ends mounted in the housing for rotation relative to the stator,
and an electro-magnetic drive system adapted to drive rotation of
the rotor relative to the stator, the method comprising: pumping
air from the first end of the rotor through a first fluid flow
passage through the rotor to the second end of the rotor; and
pumping air from the second end of the rotor through a second fluid
flow passage in the rotor to the first end of the rotor.
19. A method as set forth in claim 18 wherein the air is totally
enclosed in the housing.
20. A method as set forth in claim 18 wherein pumping air from the
first end of the rotor to the second end of the rotor comprises
drawing air into the first end of the rotor from a free space in
the housing at the first end of the rotor and wherein pumping air
from the second end of the rotor to the first end of the rotor
comprises drawing air into the second end of the rotor from a free
space in the housing at the second end of the rotor.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/402,138, filed Mar. 11, 2009, the entire
disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to electric motors,
and more particularly to systems and methods for cooling an
electric motor.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Electric motors generally include a stator and rotor mounted
for rotation relative to the stator. An electromagnetic drive
system including a plurality of magnets and/or electromagnets on
the rotor and stator is used to drive rotation of the rotor
relative to the stator. The rotor is connected to an output shaft
so that as the drive system rotates the rotor the output shaft
rotates. Operation of the motor, particularly under a load,
generates heat. In some cases, one end of the motor (e.g., the
driving end) reaches a higher temperature than the other due to
this heat generation. The electromagnetic drive system also
generates heat. Heat associated with operation of the motor can
promote premature breakdown of lubricants (e.g., in the bearings),
damage the electromagnetic drive system, and otherwise interfere
with desired operation of the motor.
[0004] Some electric motors include passive cooling features, such
as cooling fins and the like, to facilitate heat transfer out of
the motor. Some electric motors include active cooling systems,
such as a forced air ventilation systems. For example, a fan can be
attached to the output shaft so rotation of the output shaft
rotates the fan to generate air flow to cool the motor. Active
cooling systems and passive cooling features such as cooling fins
can be used in combination.
[0005] A motor's stator and rotor are commonly mounted in a
housing. The housing provides a frame for anchoring the mounted
rotor and stator and holding the stator fixed relative to the
housing. The housing can also be a barrier preventing people (or
other objects) from contacting parts of the motor inside the
housing. In some cases the stator and rotor are totally enclosed by
and sealed within the housing in order to limit the potential for
dust and other debris to interact with the rotor or stator and
thereby interfere with operation of the motor. A fan can be used to
cool a totally enclosed motor (e.g., by directing air over the
housing), in which case the motor may be referred to as Totally
Enclosed Fan-Cooled (TEFC). The drive end of a TEFC motor is
typically hotter than the opposite end because the fan is installed
opposite the drive end. Sometimes, an internal air circuit is used
to improve heat distribution in the motor by interchanging air from
one end of the motor to the other. For example, in one conventional
TEFC motor, a fan pumps air from one end of the housing to the
other through passages in the rotor. Air is returned to the first
end of the housing through passages in the stator and/or
housing.
SUMMARY
[0006] In one embodiment, an electric motor includes a housing and
a stator mounted in the housing. A rotor is mounted in the housing
for rotational movement relative to the stator about a central
axis. The rotor has first and second opposite ends and a plurality
of fluid flow passages through the rotor between the first and
second ends. An electro-magnetic drive system is adapted to drive
rotation of the rotor relative to the stator. A fluid circulation
system is adapted to produce fluid flow in the housing. The fluid
flow includes fluid flow from the first end of the rotor to the
second end of the rotor through at least one of the fluid flow
passages and fluid flow from the second end of the rotor to the
first end of the rotor through at least one other of the fluid flow
passages.
[0007] Another aspect of the invention is a rotor assembly for an
electric motor. The rotor assembly includes a rotor having a
central axis and first and second opposite ends. The rotor defines
at least in part a plurality of openings at each end and a
plurality of fluid flow passages between the first and second ends.
Each of said fluid flow passages extends between at least one of
said openings at the first end and at least one of said openings at
the second end. A hub is fixedly secured to the rotor adjacent one
of the first and second ends. The hub includes an outward-facing
surface having one or more outward-facing channels and an
inward-facing surface defining at least in part one or more
conduits through the hub. The conduits and outward-facing channels
are aligned with and adjacent a respective one of said openings.
The assembly has an impeller having a peripheral edge margin, an
inlet radially inward from the peripheral edge margin, and an
outlet radially outward from the inlet. The impeller is fixedly
secured to at least one of the hub and the rotor and adapted to
propel a fluid radially outward from the inlet to the outlet when
the rotor assembly is rotated about said central axis. The impeller
is positioned relative to the hub so the outward-facing channel of
the hub is adjacent the impeller inlet and the inward-facing
surface of the conduit substantially prevents fluid flow directly
to the impeller inlet from the opening that is aligned with the
conduit.
[0008] Another aspect of the invention is a method of cooling an
electric motor having a housing, a stator in the housing, a rotor
having first and second opposite ends mounted in the housing for
rotational movement relative to the stator, and an electro-magnetic
drive system adapted to drive rotation of the rotor relative to the
stator. A fluid is pumped from the first end of the rotor through a
first fluid flow passage through the rotor to the second end of the
rotor. The fluid is pumped from the second end of the rotor through
a second fluid flow passage in the rotor to the first end of the
rotor.
[0009] Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in
part pointed out hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective illustrating one embodiment of a
motor of the present invention in cross section;
[0011] FIG. 2 is an elevation of the motor in cross section;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective of a rotor assembly of the motor
with parts removed to illustrate bi-directional fluid flow through
the rotor;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective of the rotor assembly sectioned
along planes including the lines 4-4 on FIG. 6 and illustrating one
of multiple possible paths for fluid flow back and forth through
the rotor;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a side elevation of the rotor assembly with an end
plate removed to show blades of an impeller and fluid flow passages
through the rotor;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a side elevation similar to FIG. 5, but including
the end plate;
[0016] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective of the rotor assembly;
[0017] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective of components of a fluid
circulation system of the rotor assembly;
[0018] FIG. 9 is a side elevation of a hub of the fluid circulation
system; and
[0019] FIG. 10 is a perspective of another embodiment of a rotor
assembly.
[0020] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding
parts throughout the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] Referring to the drawings, first to FIGS. 1 and 2 in
particular, one embodiment of an electric motor of the present
invention, generally designated 101, is depicted as a totally
enclosed fan-cooled (TEFC) electric motor. The motor 101 includes a
housing 103, a stator 105 mounted in the housing, and a rotor
assembly 109 mounted in the housing for rotation relative to the
stator. In this embodiment, the rotor assembly 109 includes a rotor
111 and components of a fluid circulation system 115 for cooling at
least some parts of the motor 101 as described in more detail
below.
[0022] The motor 101 has an electromagnetic drive system 119
operable to drive rotation of the rotor 111. Generally, the
electromagnetic drive system includes a plurality of magnets and/or
electromagnets on or in the rotor 111 and stator 105 and arranged
so electromagnetic forces can be produced by the drive system to
drive rotation of the rotor relative to the stator. Various
electromagnetic drive systems can be used within the scope of the
invention. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the rotor
assembly 109 is received in a generally cylindrical cavity 135 in
the stator 105 so the stator substantially surrounds the
circumference of the generally cylindrical rotor assembly. The
stator 105 includes a plurality of electromagnets 123 spaced
circumferentially around the cavity 135. The rotor 111 includes a
plurality of laminated disks 139 stacked together and collectively
extending generally between first and second opposite axial ends
141, 143 of the rotor. Electromagnets 121 (FIG. 3) are spaced
circumferentially around the rotor 111 at an outer cylindrical
surface 131 of the rotor opposing the inner cylindrical
cavity-defining surface 133 of the stator 105. The electromagnets
121, 123 are energized at appropriate times to interact in a way
that drives rotation of the rotor 111. This electromagnetic drive
system 119 is well-known in the art and will not be discussed in
further detail herein.
[0023] The rotor 111 is connected to an output shaft 151 so the
output shaft rotates as the drive system 119 drives the rotor. In
the illustrated embodiment, the output shaft 151 is received in a
central opening 153 defined by an inner generally cylindrical
surface 155 of the rotor 111. The output shaft 151 is fixedly
secured to the rotor 111. Various techniques and structures that
are well-known in the art are suitable for fixedly securing the
output shaft 151 to the rotor 111. Thus, the connection of the
output shaft to the rotor will not be discussed in any further
detail herein.
[0024] The housing 103 is suitably a conventional motor housing.
The housing 103 can be constructed of plastic, metal, or any other
suitable material. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the
stator 105 and rotor assembly 109 are totally enclosed by and
sealed in the housing 103. Thus, the housing 103 limits the
potential for ambient dust and debris outside the housing to
interact with the rotor 111, stator 105, or any other parts of the
motor 101 inside the housing. Accordingly, the motor 101 of the
illustrated embodiment is resistant to the effects of dust and
debris in the environment. However, it is possible that the housing
only partially encloses or does not enclose the rotor assembly 109
and stator 105 therein within the scope of the invention. The
stator 105 is secured to the housing 103 in a manner that limits
rotation of the stator relative to the housing. The rotor assembly
109 is mounted in a manner that allows the rotor 111 to rotate
relative to the stator 105 (and the housing 103) on a central axis
161 of the rotor. Various techniques and structures that are well
known in the art can be used to mount the rotor assembly 109 and
stator 105 in the housing 103. Thus, these techniques and
structures will not be described in any further detail.
[0025] The motor 101 includes a fluid circulation system 115
adapted to produce fluid flow (e.g., air flow) through the rotor
assembly 109 to cool at least parts of the motor. As best
illustrated in FIG. 4, the fluid circulation system 115 is operable
to produce bi-directional fluid flow through the rotor 111
including fluid flow through the rotor from the first end 141 to
the second end 143 and return fluid flow through the rotor from the
second end to the first end. Because of the bi-directional fluid
flow through the rotor 111, fluid flow passages through the stator
and/or housing are not needed to establish a complete fluid circuit
in the motor 101. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, for example, the
housing 103 and stator 105 are substantially devoid of fluid flow
passages that communicate with the fluid circulated by the fluid
circulation system 115.
[0026] Referring now to FIGS. 4-6, the rotor 111 in this embodiment
includes a plurality of fluid flow passages 165 defined at least in
part by the rotor and extending through the rotor between its axial
ends 141, 143. The fluid circulation system in this embodiment
includes an impeller 171 for driving flow of the fluid through the
passages 165. A hub 175 and end plate 209 are adapted to produce
the bi-directional flow of fluid through the rotor 111 in a manner
described in more detail below. In this embodiment, the impeller
171 and hub 175 are secured to the working end 141 of the rotor
111. The rotor 111, hub 175 and impeller 171 can be assembled into
a rotor assembly 109 of the present invention that is later
combined with other components of the motor 101 to complete
assembly of the motor. However, it is understood that the impeller
171 and/or hub 175 can be assembled with other parts of the motor
101 and arranged in different ways relative to the rotor without
departing from the scope of the present invention.
[0027] The fluid flow passages 165 extend axially through the rotor
111 between openings 179 at the ends 141, 143 of the rotor 111. The
number of passages 165 can vary within the scope of the invention.
As best illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, for example, this embodiment
of the rotor 111 has eight fluid flow passages 165. The fluid flow
passages 165 are radially inward from the outer surface 131 of the
rotor. The fluid flow passages 165 of this embodiment are also
radially outward from the inner surface 155 of the rotor 111, as
illustrated in FIG. 4. At least some of the fluid flow passages 165
(e.g., all of them) are suitably closer to the inner surface 155 of
the rotor 111 than the outer surface 131 of the rotor. Accordingly,
at least some of the fluid flow passages 165 are suitably closer to
the output shaft 151 than they are to the stator 105. In the
illustrated embodiment, each of the fluid flow passages 165 is
spaced from the central axis 161 of the rotor 111 about the same
distance R1 (FIG. 5) as the other fluid flow passages. The fluid
flow passages 165 of this embodiment are spaced angularly (e.g.,
equi-angularly) about the central axis 161 of the rotor 111.
[0028] The fluid flow passages 165 are suitably defined entirely by
the rotor 111 (e.g., by aligned openings in the laminated disks),
as illustrated in FIG. 4. It is understood, however, that one or
more of the fluid flow passages 165 may be bounded by the output
shaft 151 without departing from the scope of the invention. For
example, a fluid flow passage may be defined by a radially
inward-facing channel in the inner cylindrical surface of the rotor
(e.g., a channel formed by aligned notches in the inner edges of
the laminated disks) adjoining the output shaft 151 so flow of
fluid out of the open inward side of the channel is prevented by
the output shaft.
[0029] In the illustrated embodiment, each fluid flow passage 165
is a separate fluid flow passage and is substantially parallel to
the central axis 161 of the rotor 111. It is understood, however,
that the fluid flow passages can have other configurations within
the scope of the invention, including configurations in which the
passages have different shapes and/or orientations from those of
the illustrated embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 10, for example,
the rotor assembly 109' can include a rotor 111' that has helical
passages 165'. The helical passages 165' (only two of which are
shown in FIG. 10) can be produced by skewing the rotor laminations
so each lamination is angularly displaced from the adjacent
laminations. It is also possible that some of the fluid flow
passages are interconnected with other fluid flow passages inside
the rotor instead of being separate passages without departing from
the scope of the invention.
[0030] The output shaft 151 is received in a central opening 181 in
the hub 175, which is secured to the output shaft 151 adjacent an
axial end or the rotor 111. As illustrated in FIGS. 7-9, the hub
175 has an outward-facing surface 183 having at least one
outward-facing channel 185 in it. The channel 185 has an
outward-facing opening (e.g., open side) allowing fluid in the
channel to flow radially outward out of the channel. The channel
185 is aligned with one of the openings 179 so that fluid can flow
from the respective fluid flow passage 165 into the channel. The
hub 175 in the illustrated embodiment has a plurality of
outward-facing channels 185 (e.g., four), each of which is aligned
with a respective opening 179 of the fluid flow passages 165.
However the number of outward-facing channels in the hub can vary
within the scope of the invention.
[0031] The hub 175 also has an inward-facing surface 191 that
defines, at least in part, one or more conduits 193 (FIGS. 5 and 6)
extending axially through the hub. Each of the conduits 193 is
aligned with another of said plurality of openings 179. The
conduits 193 are suitably substantially parallel to the central
axis 161 of the rotor 111. In the illustrated embodiment, the
conduits 193 are defined in part by inward-facing channels 195 in
the hub 175 and in part by the output shaft 151, which is
positioned to substantially prevent flow of fluid out of the open
side of the channels. However, the conduits can be defined entirely
by the hub within the scope of the invention.
[0032] The impeller 171 is mounted in the housing 103 for rotation
relative to the stator 105 on a central axis 197. In the case of a
squirrel-cage induction motor, the impeller can include the typical
rotor end ring and fan blade construction. As indicated in FIG. 8,
the impeller 171 has a peripheral edge margin 201, an inlet 203
positioned radially inward from the peripheral edge margin, and an
outlet 205 positioned radially outward from the inlet. The impeller
171 in this embodiment is mounted coaxially with the rotor 111 so
the central axis 161 of the rotor coincides with the central axis
197 of the impeller. The impeller 171 includes an end plate 209
extending radially from the central axis 197, an end ring 211, and
a plurality of blades 213 extending both axially between the end
plate and the end ring and radially away from the central axis 197.
The blades 213 are suitably secured to the plate 209 and end ring
211 so they all rotate together. The blades 213 are suitably spaced
angularly (e.g., evenly spaced) from one another about the central
axis 197. The blades 213 in the illustrated embodiment are suitably
substantially identical to one another and spaced substantially
uniformly from the central axis 197 of the impeller 171 by a
distance R2 (FIG. 5) that is larger than the distance R1 between
the fluid flow passages 165 and the central axis 161 of the rotor
111. The impeller inlet 203 is generally positioned at the inner
edges of the blades 213 and the impeller outlet 205 is generally
positioned at the outer edges of the blades.
[0033] The impeller 171 is suitably secured to the rotor 111 and/or
hub 175 so the rotor, hub, and impeller all rotate together. The
end ring 211 is adjacent the rotor 111 and extends
circumferentially around a portion of the hub 175 adjacent the
rotor. Electrical current that energizes the electromagnets 121 in
the rotor 111 is conducted through the end ring 211. The end ring
211 in the illustrated embodiment is positioned to substantially
prevent flow of fluid out of the outward-facing channels 185
adjacent the rotor 111. The end plate 209 is adjacent the end of
the hub 175 opposite the rotor 111 and seals the axial ends of the
outward-facing channels 185 opposite the rotor. The end plate 209
has openings 219 aligned with the conduits 193 so fluid can flow
into the conduits from a free space 221 in the housing 103 at the
axial end of the rotor assembly 109. The blades 213 are spaced from
the rotor 111 by the end ring 211 and are positioned
circumferentially around the portion of the hub 175 opposite the
rotor. The impeller can have various constructions within the scope
of the invention. For example, in the case of a squirrel-cage
induction motor, the impeller can have a typical rotor end-ring and
fan blade construction.
[0034] The impeller 171 is positioned to draw fluid from some of
the fluid flow passages 165 into the impeller inlet 203. The
impeller 171 draws the fluid by propelling fluid from the inlet 203
radially outward to the outlet 205 when the impeller is rotated
about its central axis 197. As the impeller 171 draws the fluid
into the inlet 203, it produces at least some of the fluid flow
through the rotor 111. As best seen in reference to FIG. 4, in this
embodiment, one or more of the fluid flow passages 231 (e.g., four
of the passages in the illustrated embodiment) is adapted by the
hub 175 to convey the fluid from the first end 141 of the rotor to
the second end 143 while one or more other fluid flow passages 231'
(e.g., four of the passages) is adapted by the hub to convey the
fluid in a generally opposite direction from the second end back to
the first end. The outward-facing channels 185 of the hub 175 in
this embodiment are adjacent the impeller inlet 203. The hub 175
provides direct fluid communication between the impeller inlet 203
and the openings 179 of the fluid flow passages 231' that are
aligned with the outward-facing channels 185. When the impeller 171
rotates, it draws fluid from the fluid flow passages 231' that are
aligned with the outward-facing channels 185 toward the
impeller.
[0035] The inward-facing surface 191 of the hub 175 substantially
prevents direct flow of fluid from the openings 179 that are
aligned with the conduits 193 through the hub to the impeller inlet
203. The conduits 193 are in direct fluid communication with the
impeller outlet 205 via the free space 221 in the housing 103
axially outward from the rotor assembly 109. Accordingly, when the
impeller 171 rotates, fluid flows from the outlet 205 (via spaces
between the end turns of the stator windings, the free space 221
and conduits 193) into the fluid flow passages 231 aligned with the
conduits and flows away from the impeller in the passages. Although
the number of fluid passages 231 in the illustrated embodiment for
conveying fluid from the first end 141 of the rotor to the second
end 143 is equal to the number of fluid passages 231' for conveying
fluid from the second end to the first end, it is understood that
this is not required to practice the invention. Further, the fluid
flow passages can have a helical configuration (e.g., generally
aligned with the central axis of the rotor) within the scope of the
invention.
[0036] In the illustrated embodiment, the motor 101 has another hub
275 and another impeller 271 secured to the end 143 of the rotor
opposite the first hub 175 and impeller 171. The additional
impeller 271 and hub 275, which are optional, are suitably
substantially identical to the first impeller 171 and hub 175
except as noted. Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the additional
impeller 271 includes an end plate 309 that is substantially
identical to the end plate 209 of the first impeller 171. The fluid
flow passages 165 suitably establish fluid communication between
the conduits 193 of the first hub 175 and the outward-facing
channels 285 of the second hub 275 and between the conduits 293 of
the second hub and the outward facing channels 185 of the first
hub. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the hubs 175, 275
have different angular orientations, as best understood in
reference to FIG. 7. In particular, the hubs 175, 275 are rotated
relative to one another about the central axis 161 of the rotor 111
so the outward-facing channels 185 of the first hub are aligned
with the conduits 293 of the second hub and vice-versa. Thus, the
impellers 171, 271 cooperate with one another to generate fluid
flow through the passages 165 from the conduits 193 of the first
hub 175 to the outward-facing channels 285 of the second hub 275
and vice-versa. It is understood, that there are other ways of
connecting the conduits of the hubs to the channels of the opposite
hub (e.g., via fluid flow passages that are not straight, via fluid
flow passages that are not parallel to the central axis of the
rotor, or combinations thereof) within the scope of the
invention.
[0037] When the motor 101 is in use, the electromagnetic drive
system 119 causes the rotor 111 to rotate relative to the stator
105 and the housing 103. Because the hub 175, impeller 171, and
output shaft 151 are fixedly secured (either directly or
indirectly) to the rotor 111, the entire rotor assembly 109 rotates
together, driving rotation of the output shaft. The fluid
circulation system 115 cools one or more parts of the motor 101 by
pumping fluid from the first end 141 of the rotor 111 through some
of the fluid flow passages 231 in the rotor to the second end 143
of the rotor, while pumping fluid from the second end of the rotor
through other fluid flow passages 231' back to the first end. Thus,
during operation of the motor 101, the fluid circulation system 115
continuously circulates fluid through the motor 101 in a closed
loop extending between the ends 141, 143 of the rotor assembly 109.
Because the motor 101 is totally enclosed in the housing 103, the
fluid is protected from contamination by dust and other debris that
could interfere with desired operation of the motor.
[0038] For example, in one method of the invention, the first end
141 is a relatively warmer end (e.g., a driving end) and the second
end 143 is a relatively cooler end (e.g., a non-driving end) and
the bi-directional (i.e., two way) circulation of the fluid through
the fluid flow passages 165 in the rotor 111 facilitates transfer
of heat away from driving end to other parts of the motor. However,
the particular cooling needs associated with use of a specific
motor may vary from one embodiment and/or application to the next
and the invention is not limited to those in which heat is
transferred from a relatively warmer driving end to a relatively
cooler non-driving end.
[0039] The angular spacing of the fluid flow passages 165 about the
central axis 161 of the rotor 111 facilitates a more uniform radial
distribution of heat flow through the rotor, which helps reduce
localized concentrations of heat in the rotor and makes overall
heat transfer more efficient. It also results in a more uniform
radial distribution of fluid flow through the impeller 171 and
through the free space 221 in the housing 103 at the end of the
rotor assembly 109, which facilitates efficient flow of fluid
through the motor 101. For example, in one method of the invention,
the fluid circulation system 115 pumps air through the rotor 111 in
each direction at a rate that is suitably at least about 5 m/s.
[0040] When introducing elements of the mechanisms herein, the
articles "a", "an", "the" and "said" are intended to mean that
there are one or more of the elements. The terms "comprising",
"including" and "having" and variations thereof are intended to be
inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than
the listed elements. Moreover, the use of "forward" and "rearward"
and variations of these terms, or the use of other directional and
orientation terms, is made for convenience, but does not require
any particular orientation of the components.
[0041] As various changes could be made in the above without
departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all
matter contained in the above description and shown in the
accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not
in a limiting sense.
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