US 12,323,004 B2
Electric motor with integrated stator cooling passages and method of manufacture thereof
Cayle D. Harmon-Moore, Independence, KS (US); Stacy K. Worley, Coffeyville, KS (US); and Randall L. Long, Coffeyville, KS (US)
Assigned to DEERE & COMPANY, Moline, IL (US)
Filed by Deere & Company, Moline, IL (US)
Filed on May 12, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/663,083.
Prior Publication US 2023/0369922 A1, Nov. 16, 2023
Int. Cl. H02K 1/20 (2006.01); B29C 45/00 (2006.01)
CPC H02K 1/20 (2013.01) [B29C 45/00 (2013.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An electric motor comprising:
a stator core;
a plurality of stator windings disposed on or in the stator core, the plurality of stator windings including a plurality of winding end-turns that extend out from the stator core;
an electrically insulating potting material applied over the plurality of winding end-turns; and
a cooling passage formed in the potting material immediately adjacent a portion of the plurality of winding end-turns that defines a cooling circuit through which a cooling fluid is circulated in direct contact with the portion of the plurality of winding end-turns to provide cooling to the plurality of winding end-turns, the cooling passage having an annular shape matching a configuration of the winding end-turns circumferentially disposed around the winding end-turns and varying in cross-section circumferentially around the winding end-turns, the cooling passage formed upon dissolving of a chemically soluble material embedded within the potting material.