Patent ID: 7508100
Filing Date: 2009-03-24
Classification: B60K,F16H,H02K,Y02T

Abstract:
1. An electric motor/generator having a generally annular stator and rotor, comprising: a rotor hub supporting the rotor, wherein said rotor hub has at least one passage formed therein to permit cooling fluid flow therethrough for cooling of the rotor; and a motor housing containing the rotor, the stator and said rotor hub; wherein said at least one passage has a radially inner end; wherein said rotor hub is formed with a recessed annulus at a radially inner diameter thereof and at said inner end of said at least one passage; and wherein said annulus is configured to collect cooling fluid for subsequent flow radially outward through said at least one passage; wherein said rotor hub includes a generally radial support portion and a shoulder portion extending generally-axially therefrom; wherein an end of said shoulder portion protrudes radially inward such that said shoulder portion forms a shoulder portion annulus between said radial support portion and said end; wherein cooling fluid flowing from said at least one passage is caught by said end and pools in said shoulder portion annulus to cool the rotor; wherein the rotor has an end bar; wherein said motor housing is spaced from said rotor hub to form a crevice therebetween; and wherein fluid pooled in said shoulder portion annulus spills past said end and flows through said crevice and onto the end bar of the rotor for cooling thereof.