Systems and methods for cooling electric motor
US11722038B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 13, 2021 |
| Grant date | Aug 8, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 12, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02K7/116
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Systems and methods are provided for cooling an electric motor, the electric motor being fluidically coupled to a coolant sump of a gearbox. In one example, a system may include the gearbox including the coolant sump, the electric motor coupled to the gearbox, an outer shaft fluidically coupling the electric motor to the coolant sump, an inner shaft extending through each of the coolant sump and the outer shaft, and one or more surface features disposed along a portion of the inner shaft extending within the outer shaft. Upon rotation of the inner shaft during operation of the electric motor, a coolant in the coolant sump may be drawn through the outer shaft from the coolant sump into the electric motor. In this way, the coolant may be passively directed to the electric motor with minimal cost, packaging size, and system complexity and without significant losses in overall system efficiency.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.