US 7,538,457 B2
Electric motor assemblies with coolant flow for concentrated windings
Alan G. Holmes, Clarkston, Mich. (US); Richard A. Ordo, Greenwood, Ind. (US); and Ahmed M. El-Antably, Indianapolis, Ind. (US)
Assigned to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich. (US)
Filed on Jan. 27, 2006, as Appl. No. 11/341,778.
Prior Publication US 2007/0176499 A1, Aug. 02, 2007
Int. Cl. H02K 3/24 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 310—54  [310/57] 6 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An electric motor assembly, comprising:
circumferentially arranged adjacent concentrated motor stator windings spaced to define at least one channel for coolant passage;
a motor housing configured to cover said motor stator windings wherein said motor housing defines an inlet and outlet portion operative to cover an end turn of said concentrated motor stator windings;
wherein said inlet portion defines an inlet chamber operable to distribute coolant to the end turn of said concentrated motor stator windings;
wherein said outlet portion defines an outlet chamber operable to distribute coolant away from the end turn of said concentrated motor stator windings;
an insert fittable between said motor stator windings configured to guide coolant flow within said channel directly onto said motor stator windings, wherein said insert is spaced apart from said inlet portion and from said outlet portion to allow coolant flow therein, wherein said insert is an insulated sheet insertable in said at least one channel of said concentrated motor stator windings and operable to split coolant flow between adjacent motor stator windings; and
at least one axially extending tube in said insulated sheet wherein said insulated sheet is hollowed, and filled with a deformable material configured to promote retention of coolant between said insulated sheet and said concentrated motor stator windings by surface tension of said coolant.