AN ELECTRIC MOTOR HAVING AN IMPROVED AIRFLOW COOLING SYSTEM

摘要

An improved design for a switched reluctance motor is disclosed that keeps t he motor cool during operation and thereby improves the performance and reliabi lity of the motor. The improved design employs three centrifugal fans mounted to the mot or shaft, which are used to create two independent airflow paths, one of which cools t he electronic components of the motor. The improved design also divides the functions perf ormed by a single printed circuit board into two circuit boards, an upper circuit boa rd and a lower circuit board. Another feature of the improved design includes locating the position/speed sensing encoder immediately below one of the centrifugal cooling fans. The d isclosed construction provides for increased dissipation of heat that is generated by the motor and its electronic components. In this configuration, the printed circuit boards and other electronic components are located in such a manner that air can be circulate d in a path to remove heat from these components.