Active Thermal Management of Electric Motors and Generators Using Thermoelectric (Peltier Effect) Technology

Abstract

Electric motors and generators underpin life in today’s world. They are numerous and widespread and consume approximately 45% of the world’s energy. Any improvements in efficiency or reductions in their whole-of-life costs are actively and continually being sought. While designs accommodate the removal of heat caused by internal losses because of inefficiencies, temperature variations due to load changes and environmental temperature fluctuations, and system harmonic content still stresses electrical insulation systems. This causes the fretting of insulation, combined with moisture ingress, which leads to leakage currents and, consequently, the early failure of the electrical insulation. This paper explores the addition of thermoelectric coolers/heaters (TECs) or Peltier effect devices. We show that these solid-state devices can actively support the thermal management of a motor by keeping its internals hot, reducing moisture ingress when off, and assisting in heat removal when under load, resulting in a more thermally stable internal environment. A thermally stable environment inside the electrical machine reduces the mechanical stresses on the electrical insulation, resulting in a longer operational life and reducing the whole-of-life costs.

Thermal Testing and System Reliability: Transferring Thermal Interactions by Heat Conduction through a Peltier-Based Thermal Coupling System

“…Lucas et al have contributed to the field of thermal management systems through their work detailed in three separate papers [20][21][22], focusing on the use of Peltier devices. While these studies offer valuable insights, it is noted that the thermal interactions facilitated by these systems are not entirely transferred.…”

“…Related work which implements the key categories for a thermal coupling system for the transfer of thermal interactions by heat conduction between physical subsystems (empty circle = not applicable; half-filled circle = partially applicable; fully filled circle = completely applicable). Gross-Weege et al [13] Eisele [14] Christen et al [15] Bui et al [16] DIN EN 12667 [17], DIN EN 821 [18], ASTM C518 [19] Lucas et al [20][21][22] Sun et al [23] Troxler et al [24] Kulikov et al [25] Leitenberger et al [12] cal-virtual interactions, these require the integration of a validated simulation model representing the virtual subsystem. However, we have not included physical-virtual interactions in this manuscript in order to avoid complexity and to ensure clarity.…”

“…Gross-Weege et al [13] Eisele [14] Christen et al [15] Bui et al [16] DIN EN 12667 [17], DIN EN 821 [18], ASTM C518 [19] Lucas et al [20][21][22] Sun et al [23] Troxler et al [24] Kulikov et al [25] Leitenberger et al [12] duction be transferred between spatially separated ph assessment of functional system reliability? Building upon the previous works, this pa (TCS) for the transfer of thermal interactions b systems.…”

“…Gross-Weege et al [13] Eisele [14] Christen et al [15] Bui et al [16] DIN EN 12667 [17], DIN EN 821 [18], ASTM C518 [19] Lucas et al [20][21][22] Sun et al [23] Troxler et al [24] Kulikov et al [25] Leitenberger et al [12] In Table 1, it can be seen that none of the related work meets all the required categories, but only part of them. While the state of research shows a variety of approaches which come with their individual strengths, none of the previously described works are fulfilling all the categories that are needed for the TCS, nor are they physically validated.…”

“…Gross-Weege et al [13] Eisele [14] Christen et al [15] Bui et al [16] DIN EN 12667 [17], DIN EN 821 [18], ASTM C518 [19] Lucas et al [20][21][22] Sun et al [23] Troxler et al [24] Kulikov et al [25] Leitenberger et al [12] Christen et al [15] fulfillment in the overall system. The concept is shown with a simulation.…”