US 11,715,988 B2
System and methods for multiple configurations to cool an electric motor
Matthew Truett, Simpsonville, SC (US); Christopher A. Stockton, Greenville, SC (US); and Steven D. Browne, Shelby, NC (US)
Assigned to ABB Schweiz AG, Baden (CH)
Filed by ABB Schweiz AG, Baden (CH)
Filed on Apr. 8, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/843,678.
Prior Publication US 2021/0320552 A1, Oct. 14, 2021
Int. Cl. H02K 5/20 (2006.01); H02K 9/06 (2006.01); H02K 9/18 (2006.01); H02K 1/32 (2006.01)
CPC H02K 5/20 (2013.01) [H02K 1/32 (2013.01); H02K 5/207 (2021.01); H02K 9/18 (2013.01); H02K 9/06 (2013.01); H02K 2213/09 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An electric motor comprising:
a motor enclosure extending between a forward motor end and a rearward motor end, the motor enclosure including an interior surface and an exterior surface, the motor enclosure defining an enclosed space;
a motor shaft extending between the forward motor end and the rearward motor end through the enclosed space, the motor shaft defining a rotational axis of the electrical motor;
an external fan secured to and rotated by the motor shaft, the external fan accommodated in a fan shroud mounted to the rearward motor end;
an internal cooling circuit including at least one internal channel for continuously circulating an internal airflow in the enclosed space between the forward motor end and the rearward motor end;
a removable cover plate mountable to the exterior surface to cover at least one enclosure aperture disposed into the motor enclosure and in fluid communication with the internal channel, the enclosure aperture configured for selectively establishing thermal interaction between the internal airflow and an external airflow; and
wherein the electric motor is selectively configurable for each of the following enclosure configurations:
a first configuration with the removable cover plate removed, a heat exchanger selectively mountable to the exterior surface of the motor enclosure to cover the enclosure aperture, the heat exchanger including a plurality of fluid ducts including a first group of fluid ducts communicating with the internal channel via the enclosure aperture to receive the internal airflow and a second group of fluid ducts communicating with the external fan to receive the external airflow, wherein the first group of fluid ducts and the second group of fluid ducts extend parallel to the motor shaft from the forward motor end to the rearward motor end; and
a second configuration with the removable cover plate removed from the at least one enclosure aperture disposed into the motor enclosure to establish thermal interaction between the internal airflow and the external airflow; and
wherein the electric motor is configured with at least one of the enclosure configurations for cooling the electric motor in operation.