Electric machine with heat pipes
An electric machine includes a stator and a rotor which is spaced from the stator at formation of an air gap therebetween. In order to cool down heat-generating components of the stator and the rotor, the electric machine is provided with a cooling system which includes heat pipes placed in proximity of the heat-generating components.
1. An electric machine, comprising:
a stator;
a rotor spaced from the stator; and
a cooling system, including a heat pipe, for cooling a heat-generating component of at least one of the stator and the rotor, and a cooler positioned at an axial end of the heat pipe wherein the heat pipe is flexible at least along a predetermined section for outward or inward deflection in a direction of the cooler.
2. The electric machine of claim 1 , wherein the heat-generating component of the stator and the rotor is a member selected from the group consisting of winding, lamination stack, and winding end portion.
3. The electric machine of claim 1 , wherein the heat pipe has an evaporation zone, a transport zone and a condenser zone, with the evaporation zone positioned adjacent to the heat-generating component.
4. The electric machine of claim 1 , wherein the heat pipe is outwardly bent behind a winding end portion.
5. The electric machine of claim 1 , wherein the heat pipe is constructed to conform to a shape of the heat-generating component.
6. The electric machine of claim 1 , wherein the cooling system includes a cooler positioned axially on the electric machine in an area of the condenser zone of the heat pipe.
7. The electric machine of claim 1 , wherein the cooler is arranged radially on the electric machine.
8. The electric machine of claim 1 , wherein the cooler is part of the electric machine.
9. The electric machine of claim 1 , wherein the cooler is separate from the electric machine.
10. The electric machine of claim 1 , wherein the heat pipe extends in or around a winding end portion.