Electric motor and stator cooling apparatus

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10879749-B2
Application number	US-201715820934-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 22, 2017
Priority date	Nov 22, 2017
Publication date	Dec 29, 2020
Grant date	Dec 29, 2020

Abstract

An electric motor can include a stator body defining fluid channels extending axially for fluid communication between axial ends of the stator body. Conductive windings can form first loops extending axially outward from the first end of the stator body and second loops extending axially outward from the second end of the stator body. A first cap can be coupled to the first end of the stator body and can include a first wall. The first wall can be between the first loops and the channels. Pins can extend from a side of the first wall that is opposite the first loops. The second cap can be coupled to the second end of the stator body and include a second wall. The second wall can be between the second loops and the channels. Pins can extend from a side of the second wall that is opposite the second loops.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An electric motor comprising:
a stator body disposed about an axis and defining a plurality of fluid channels that extend axially through the stator body to provide fluid communication between a first axial end of the stator body and a second axial end of the stator body;
a rotor disposed about the axis and rotatable relative to the stator body;
a plurality of electrically conductive windings forming a plurality of first winding loops extending axially outward from the first axial end of the stator body and a plurality of second winding loops extending axially outward from the second axial end of the stator body;
a first end cap coupled to the first axial end of the stator body, the first end cap including a first wall and a plurality of first pins, the first wall disposed between the first winding loops and the fluid channels, the first pins extending from a side of the first wall that is opposite the first winding loops;
a second end cap coupled to the second axial end of the stator body, the second end cap including a second wall and a plurality of second pins, the second wall disposed between the second winding loops and the fluid channels, the second pins extending from a side of the second wall that is opposite the second winding loops;
a housing disposed about the stator body, the housing cooperating with the stator body and the first end cap to define a first chamber in fluid communication with the fluid channels, the first pins extending into the first chamber, the housing cooperating with the stator body and the second end cap to define a second chamber in fluid communication with the fluid channels, the second pins extending into the second chamber; and
at least one shroud, the at least one shroud comprising at least one of:
a first shroud disposed about the axis between the first end cap and the housing and configured to guide fluid flow from the first chamber across the first pins to the fluid channels; and
a second shroud disposed about the axis between the second end cap and the housing and configured to guide fluid flow from the fluid channels across the second pins to the second chamber.

2. The electric motor of claim 1 , further comprising a pump including an inlet and outlet, the inlet of the pump being in fluid communication with the second chamber to receive fluid therefrom, the outlet of the pump being in fluid communication with the first chamber to pump fluid thereto.

3. An electric motor comprising:
a stator body disposed about an axis and defining a plurality of fluid channels that extend axially through the stator body to provide fluid communication between a first axial end of the stator body and a second axial end of the stator body;
a rotor disposed about the axis and rotatable relative to the stator body;
a plurality of electrically conductive windings forming a plurality of first winding loops extending axially outward from the first axial end of the stator body and a plurality of second winding loops extending axially outward from the second axial end of the stator body;
a first end cap coupled to the first axial end of the stator body, the first end cap including a first wall and a plurality of first pins, the first wall disposed between the first winding loops and the fluid channels, the first pins extending from a side of the first wall that is opposite the first winding loops; and
a second end cap coupled to the second axial end of the stator body, the second end cap including a second wall and a plurality of second pins, the second wall disposed between the second winding loops and the fluid channels, the second pins extending from a side of the second wall that is opposite the second winding loops;
wherein the first pins extend radially outward from the first wall; and
wherein the first pins extend radially outward of a radially inward-most part of the fluid channels.

4. An electric motor comprising:
a stator body disposed about an axis and defining a plurality of fluid channels that extend axially through the stator body to provide fluid communication between a first axial end of the stator body and a second axial end of the stator body;
a rotor disposed about the axis and rotatable relative to the stator body;
a plurality of electrically conductive windings forming a plurality of first winding loops extending axially outward from the first axial end of the stator body and a plurality of second winding loops extending axially outward from the second axial end of the stator body;
a first end cap coupled to the first axial end of the stator body, the first end cap including a first wall and a plurality of first pins, the first wall disposed between the first winding loops and the fluid channels, the first pins extending from a side of the first wall that is opposite the first winding loops; and
a second end cap coupled to the second axial end of the stator body, the second end cap including a second wall and a plurality of second pins, the second wall disposed between the second winding loops and the fluid channels, the second pins extending from a side of the second wall that is opposite the second winding loops;
wherein the second pins extend radially outward from the second wall and extend radially outward of a radially inward-most part of the fluid channels.

5. An electric motor comprising:
a stator body disposed about an axis and defining a plurality of fluid channels that extend axially through the stator body to provide fluid communication between a first axial end of the stator body and a second axial end of the stator body;
a rotor disposed about the axis and rotatable relative to the stator body;
a plurality of electrically conductive windings forming a plurality of first winding loops extending axially outward from the first axial end of the stator body and a plurality of second winding loops extending axially outward from the second axial end of the stator body;
a first end cap coupled to the first axial end of the stator body, the first end cap including a first wall and a plurality of first pins, the first wall disposed between the first winding loops and the fluid channels, the first pins extending from a side of the first wall that is opposite the first winding loops; and
a second end cap coupled to the second axial end of the stator body, the second end cap including a second wall and a plurality of second pins, the second wall disposed between the second winding loops and the fluid channels, the second pins extending from a side of the second wall that is opposite the second winding loops;
further comprising a sensor, wherein at least one of the first end cap or the second end cap defines a sensor bore and the sensor is removably disposed within the sensor bore and configured to output a signal that corresponds to a temperature of the electrically conducting windings.

6. An electric motor comprising:
a stator body disposed about an axis and defining a plurality of fluid channels that extend axially through the stator body to provide fluid communication between a first axial end of the stator body and a second axial end of the stator body;
a rotor disposed about the axis and rotatable relative to the stator body;
a plurality of electrically conductive windings forming a plurality of first winding loops extending axially outward from the first axial end of the stator body and a plurality of second winding loops extending axially outward from the second axial end of the stator body;
a first end cap coupled to the first axial end of the stator body, the first end cap including a first wall and a plurality of first pins, the first wall disposed between the first winding loops and the fluid channels, the first pins extending from a side of the first wall that is opposite the first winding loops; an

Assignees

• American Axle & Mfg Inc

Inventors

• Morgante John
• Downs James P
• Crecelius David
• Fischer Peter
• Ronning Jeffrey J

Classifications

• H02K9/197

  in which the rotor or stator space is fluid-tight, e.g. to provide for different cooling media for rotor and stator · CPC title

• H02K3/24

  with channels or ducts for cooling medium between the conductors · CPC title

• H02K5/203

  specially adapted for liquids, e.g. cooling jackets · CPC title

• H02K5/18

  with ribs or fins for improving heat transfer · CPC title

• H02K2205/09

  Machines characterised by drain passages or by venting, breathing or pressure compensating means · CPC title