Thermal management of rotor endwinding coils

摘要

A machine comprises: a rotor comprising (a) axially extending coils (14), each coil (14) extending into an endwinding region (26), (b) a plurality of cavities (20, 36, 38) between the coils (14) in the endwinding region (26), and (c) a plurality of spacers (16) situated between the coils (14). Ventilation grooves (30) having an inlet (32) and an outlet (34) are defined in the rotor with at least some of the coils (14) including at least one of the ventilation grooves (30). The ventilation grooves (30) provide at least one path for gas flow from at least one first cavity (38) to at least one of (i) a second cavity (36) or (ii) a different portion of the first cavity (38).