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ISSN Online: 2377-424X

ISBN CD: 1-56700-226-9

ISBN Online: 1-56700-225-0

International Heat Transfer Conference 13
August, 13-18, 2006, Sydney, Australia

COOLING PERFORMANCE OF ELECTRIC INDUCTION MOTORS

Get access (open in a dialog) DOI: 10.1615/IHTC13.p30.270
24 pages

Abstract

In the present work the thermal design of induction motors is reviewed and a hybrid thermal model is presented. The hybrid thermal model is a combination of global thermal parameters and distributed parameters at different parts of the machine. The knowledge of losses distribution (heat sources) involved in the machine is essential in the construction and analysis of the thermal model. Adopting standard procedures in motor analysis, the losses are evaluated through electrical tests and are distributed in both stator and rotor. Next, employing the hybrid thermal model a sensitivity analysis is performed indicating that the most critical parameter in cooling the motor is the convective heat transfer coefficient on its external surface. Numerical calculations explored the non uniformity of the local heat transfer coefficient from the motor frame to the environmental air and its impact on the motor temperature. Possible remedies are presented to reduce the motor operation temperature, including the use of guide vanes to better direct the airflow over the frame.