US 11,885,229 B2
Electric motor having an integrated cooling system and methods of cooling an electric motor
William Dwight Gerstler, Niskayuna, NY (US); Florian Stefan Hoefler, Ismaning (DE); and Mark Aaron Chan Chan, Munich (DE)
Assigned to General Electric Company, Schenectady, NY (US)
Filed by General Electric Company, Schenectady, NY (US)
Filed on Sep. 21, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/026,887.
Application 17/026,887 is a continuation of application No. 16/006,094, filed on Jun. 12, 2018, granted, now 10,784,750.
Prior Publication US 2021/0013778 A1, Jan. 14, 2021
Int. Cl. H02K 9/20 (2006.01); H02K 5/20 (2006.01); F04D 29/58 (2006.01); F01D 25/26 (2006.01); F01D 25/12 (2006.01); F01D 9/02 (2006.01); F01D 1/04 (2006.01); H02K 9/19 (2006.01); B64D 27/24 (2006.01); B64D 27/02 (2006.01)
CPC F01D 25/12 (2013.01) [F01D 1/04 (2013.01); F01D 9/02 (2013.01); F01D 25/26 (2013.01); F04D 29/5806 (2013.01); H02K 5/207 (2021.01); H02K 9/19 (2013.01); H02K 9/20 (2013.01); B64D 27/24 (2013.01); B64D 2027/026 (2013.01); F05D 2220/323 (2013.01); F05D 2260/20 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An electric machine having an integrated cooling system, the electric machine comprising:
an electric motor comprising a stator, a rotor, and a drive shaft operably coupled to the rotor;
a motor cooling conduit that defines a pathway for conveying a cooling fluid through or around at least a portion of the electric motor, the motor cooling conduit having a thermally conductive relationship with the at least a portion of the electric motor;
a casing assembly that circumferentially surrounds at least a portion of the electric motor, the casing assembly comprising:
an annular casing;
a plurality of support members extending radially from the annular casing and circumferentially spaced relative to the annular casing; and
a casing assembly conduit integrally formed within at least a portion of the casing assembly wherein the casing assembly conduit and the at least a portion of the casing assembly define a monolithic, single-piece construction, the casing assembly conduit defining a pathway for conveying the cooling fluid through the at least a portion of the casing assembly, the casing assembly circumferentially surrounding at least a portion of the electric motor, and the casing assembly conduit having a thermally conductive relationship with an external surface of the casing assembly; and
a pump or compressor operably coupled to the drive shaft, the pump or compressor being operably configured to circulate the cooling fluid through the motor cooling conduit and the casing assembly conduit.