Thermal Design of Motors - II — Lesson 2

This lesson covers the thermal design of motors, focusing on the importance of managing heat within the motor's structure. It explains the process of attaching various components to the motor, such as the back iron, junction, and housing, and discusses the concept of potting and shrink fit. The lesson also delves into the significance of thermal compounds and the role of air gaps in heat conduction. It further explores the impact of housing thickness and the role of fins in heat convection. The lesson also introduces the concept of thermal circuit and how it can be used to calculate resistances and temperatures at different points in the motor. It concludes by discussing the impact of ambient temperature and airspeed on the motor's temperature.

Video Highlights

00:17 - How fins improve heat transfer
05:34 - Explanation of Stator and housing
07:28 - Final thermal circuit
10:42 - Process of solving the thermal circuit using Kirchhoff's law
14:21 - Thermal estimator
22:27 - Results compared with FEA solver
24:18 - Importance of 3D simulation for identifying hot spots in the motor

Key Takeaways

- The thermal design of motors involves managing heat within the motor's structure to ensure optimal performance.
- Potting and shrink fit are techniques used to improve heat conduction within the motor.
- The thickness of the motor's housing and the presence of fins play a significant role in heat convection.
- A thermal circuit can be used to calculate resistances and temperatures at different points in the motor.
- Ambient temperature and airspeed significantly impact the motor's temperature.