Cooling arrangements for integrated electric motor-inverters
US7210304B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 9, 2005 |
| Grant date | May 1, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 30, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60K2001/003
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
In order to provide a modular arrangement, an inverter for an electric traction motor used to drive an automotive vehicle is positioned in proximity with the traction motor. The inverter is located within a compartment adjacent to one end of the electric traction motor and is cooled in a closed system by spraying a liquid coolant directly onto the inverter. The liquid coolant absorbs heat from the inverter and is cooled by a heat exchange arrangement comprising a reservoir with pipes carrying a second coolant from the radiator of the automotive vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, the coolant is collected from the inverter in an annular reservoir that is integral with the compartment containing the inverter. In accordance with one embodiment of the cooling arrangement, heat from the inverter vaporizes the liquid coolant by absorbing heat from the inverter during a phase change from a liquid to a vapor. The vaporized coolant is condensed by a circulating second coolant in pipes connected to the vehicle's radiator through a condenser that is preferably coaxial with the motor and the annular reservoir, which annular reservoir in the second embodiment collects overspray liquid coolant. …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.