Patent ID: 8482166
Filing Date: 2013-07-09
Classification: H02K

Abstract:
1. An electric machine system comprising: an alternating current (AC) electric machine including a machine housing having a machine portion and a switch portion, a stator fixedly mounted in the machine portion of the machine housing, a rotor rotatably mounted relative to the stator, and an switch assembly arranged within the switch portion of the machine housing and electrically connected to the stator, the switch assembly including a switch module having at least one switch member; a direct current (DC) power source electrically connected to the stator through the switch assembly; a controller operatively connected to the switch assembly, the controller being configured and disposed to operate the switch assembly to convert direct current from the DC power source to an alternating current to operate the AC electric machine; and a cooling system including an expandable coolant manifold arranged in the switch portion of the machine housing, the expandable coolant manifold including a coolant branch having an inlet passage portion and an outlet passage fluidly connected to the at least one switch module, the inlet passage portion being configured and disposed to join with another inlet passage portion provided on another coolant branch to form a continuous inlet passage.