Rotating electric machine including a cooling device for cooling a fluid in the rotating electric machine

A cooling device mounted in a flow path formed by an internal space of a cooling fluid duct being mounted on the periphery of a frame of a rotating electric machine is configured in such a manner that at least one of the end-face portions between a first end-face portion through which a cooling fluid flows into the cooling device and a second end-face portion from which the cooling fluid flows out thereof is placed tilting with respect to at least one of a first orthogonal surface perpendicular to an inflow direction of the cooling fluid and a second orthogonal surface perpendicular to an outflow direction of the cooling fluid, or with respect to a flow-path-width's direction perpendicular to a direction in which an axis line of a stator extends.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a rotating electric machine whose rotor and stator accommodated in the interior of its frame are cooled by a cooling fluid, and more particularly to a rotating electric machine including a cooling device within a cooling fluid duct mounted on the periphery of the frame to cool the cooling fluid.

BACKGROUND ART

A rotating electric machine is well known in which its rotor and stator are housed or accommodated in the interior of its frame, and these rotor and stator are arranged to be cooled by a cooling fluid such as a hydrogen gas or the like being pressurized and sealed in the interior of the frame, for example. Usually, in this kind of rotating electric machine, the cooling fluid in the interior of the frame is cooled by a cooling device(s) mounted in the frame's interior (for example, refer to Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3).

In addition, conventionally, there exists a rotating electric machine which includes a cooling fluid duct on the periphery of a frame accommodating a rotor and a stator thereinside so as to cool the rotor and the stator by a cooling fluid sealed in the interior of the frame, for example, by a low-pressure hydrogen gas or the like, and at the same time, is arranged to cool this cooling fluid by a cooling device(s) mounted within the cooling fluid duct.

FIG. 18(a)andFIG. 18(b)are configuration diagrams illustrating a conventional rotating electric machine as disclosed in Patent Document 1;FIG. 18(a)is the configuration diagram illustrating it by a vertical or longitudinal section, andFIG. 18(b)is the configuration diagram illustrating it by a cross section. InFIG. 18(a)andFIG. 18(b), a rotor2which is accommodated in the interior of a frame1cylindrically formed is supported to be rotationally movable by means of bearings (not shown in the figures). A stator4which is accommodated in the interior of the frame1includes a stator winding(s)5. In an inside space portion of the stator4, the rotor2is inserted, and an inner circumferential face of the stator4opposes to an outer circumferential face of the rotor2by means of a predetermined gap6therebetween.

The stator4includes a plurality of stator ducts8that extend in radial directions of the stator4, and the gap6and a frame's internal space7in the interior of the frame1are allowed to communicate with each other by way of the plurality of stator ducts8. A pair of cooling fans91and92fixed on both end portions of the rotor2in an axial direction thereof is mounted to oppose to each other on both the end portions in the axial direction of the stator4and the rotor2, and thus the cooling fluid is transported under pressure into the gap6in axial directions from both the end portions.

The cooling devices10aand10bmounted in the frame's internal space7in the interior of the frame1are placed on both sides in upper portions of the stator4along a direction in which an axis line X of the stator4extends. Each of the cooling devices10aand10bincludes a first end-face portion101through which a cooling fluid flows into the cooling device, and a second end-face portion102from which the cooling fluid that has been cooled is outflowed. The first end-face portion101and the second end-face portion102are placed in parallel with each other.

The cooling devices10aand10beach include a plurality of cooling pipes (not shown in the figures) which extend along the respective first end-face portion101and second end-face portion102, connecting therebetween. Those cooling pipes are separated for outward paths and inward paths by means of a pair of headers103and104, and connected in parallel with each other. A cooling medium such as a cooling water or the like flowed from an inflow pipe105into the header103arrives at the header104through a plurality of outward cooling pipes and returns to the header103through inward cooling pipes, and outflows from an outflow pipe106so as to be cooled by an external cooling-medium cooling apparatus (not shown in the figures).

As suitably shown inFIG. 18(b), the first end-face portion101of each of the cooling devices10aand10bis placed to become parallel with an orthogonal surface which is perpendicular to an inflow direction11of the cooling fluid. In addition, the second end-face portion102of each of the cooling devices10aand10bis placed to become parallel with an orthogonal surface which is perpendicular to an outflow direction12of the cooling fluid.

In a conventional rotating electric machine configured as described above, the cooling fluid is transported under pressure by means of the rotating cooling fans91and92, and flowed into the gap6from both end portions in axial directions of the stator4and the rotor2. The cooling fluid being transported under pressure into the gap6flows through the plurality of stator ducts8, and outflows into the frame's internal space7. The cooling fluid outflowed into the frame's internal space7flows into each of the cooling devices10aand10bthrough their first end-face portions101so as to be cooled by them, and outflows from the second end-face portions102of the respective cooling devices10aand10binto the frame's internal space7. The cooling fluid outflowed from the second end-face portion102of each of the cooling devices10aand10binto the frame's internal space7is for a second time transported under pressure by means of the cooling fans91and92, and flowed into the gap6from both the end portions of the rotor2in axial directions thereof. By the cooling fluid that circulates in the interior of the frame1as described above, the rotor2, the stator4and the stator winding(s)5are cooled.

FIG. 19(a)andFIG. 19(b)are configuration diagrams illustrating another conventional rotating electric machine which includes cooling fluid ducts mounted on the peripheries of its frame;FIG. 19(a)is the configuration diagram illustrating the machine by a longitudinal section, andFIG. 19(b)is the configuration diagram illustrating it by a cross section. InFIG. 19(a)andFIG. 19(b), on the peripheries of the frame1cylindrically formed, the cooling fluid ducts1aand1bare mounted, and their internal spaces are allowed to communicate with the interior of the frame1. Those configurations and other constituent items are equivalent or similar to those conventional devices shown inFIG. 18(a)andFIG. 18(b)described above.

In the interiors of the cooling fluid ducts1aand1b, the cooling devices10aand10bare mounted, respectively. The placement of each of the cooling devices10aand10bin relation to those directions in which the cooling fluid flows is similar to that of the case inFIG. 18(a)andFIG. 18(b)described above. A high-temperature cooling fluid which is flowed, from the interior of the frame1corresponding to both end portions in axial directions of the rotor2and the stator4, into each of the cooling fluid ducts1aand1bis cooled by each of the cooling devices10aand10bto become low temperature, and for a second time, is supplied into the interior of the frame1from each of the cooling fluid ducts1aand1b, respectively. The low-temperature cooling fluid in the interior of this frame1is supplied from the stator ducts (refer toFIG. 18(a)) into the gap similarly to those conventional devices described above referring toFIG. 18(a)andFIG. 18(b), so that the stator and the rotor are cooled. The high-temperature cooling fluid transported, under suction by the cooling fans (refer toFIG. 18(a)), into internal spaces of the frame1in both the end portions in axial directions of the rotor and the stator flows for a second time into each of the cooling fluid ducts1aand1bas described above, so that the aforementioned circulation is repeated.

RELATED ART DOCUMENT

Patent Documents

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

A cooling device in a conventional rotating electric machine configured as described above is placed in such a manner that the end-face portions are set to become parallel with orthogonal surfaces which are perpendicular to the inflow and outflow directions of the cooling fluid, so that, in order to increase heat exchange performance of the cooling device, it is required either to increase a flow-path area of the cooling device by increasing a cooling fluid duct of the rotating electric machine, or to achieve an increase in volume by increasing a thickness-wise dimension of the cooling device.

According to the above, the conventional rotating electric machine requires to make the cooling device large in size in order to enhance heat exchange performance of the cooling device, and as a result, there arises a problem in that the cooling fluid duct of the rotating electric machine also becomes large-sized. In addition, when the cooling device cannot be large-sized, there arises a problem in that the heat exchange performance of the cooling device is degraded.

The present invention has been directed at solving these problems in a conventional rotating electric machine described above, and an object of the invention is to provide a rotating electric machine that includes a cooling device(s) being smaller in size and lighter in weight, and also being capable of advancing sufficient heat exchange performance, and that is collectively smaller in size and lighter in weight.

Means for Solving the Problems

A feature resides in that a rotating electric machine according to the present invention is configured as described below.

Namely, the rotating electric machine comprises:

a rotor supported being rotationally movable;

a stator including an inner circumferential face opposing to an outer circumferential face of the rotor by means of a gap therebetween;

a frame accommodating in an interior thereof the rotor and the stator, and also sealing in the interior a cooling fluid that cools the rotor and the stator;

at least one cooling fluid duct mounted on a periphery of the frame, including an internal space for communicating with an interior of the frame; and

at least one cooling device placed in the internal space of the at least one cooling fluid duct, for cooling the cooling fluid; the rotating electric machine is characterized in that

the at least one cooling device includes a first end-face portion through which the cooling fluid flows into the at least one cooling device, and a second end-face portion formed at a position opposing to the first end-face portion, for flowing the cooling fluid, being cooled, out of the at least one cooling device; and

at least one configuration of the following first item (1) and second item (2) is included:

(1) between the first end-face portion and the second end-face portion, at least one of the end-face portions is placed tilting with respect to a minimum-width's direction of the internal space of the at least one cooling fluid duct in vicinity to the at least one cooling device; and
(2) between the first end-face portion and the second end-face portion, at least one of the end-face portions is placed tilting with respect to at least one of an inflow direction of the cooling fluid and an outflow direction of the cooling fluid.

Effects of the Invention

According to the rotating electric machine in the present invention, a cooling device placed in a cooling fluid duct for cooling a cooling fluid includes a first end-face portion through which a cooling fluid flows into the cooling device, and a second end-face portion provided at a position opposing to the first end-face portion, for outflowing the cooling fluid that has been cooled; and at least one of the first end-face portion and the second end-face portion is placed tilting with respect to a minimum-width's direction of an internal space of the cooling fluid duct in vicinity to the cooling device, or placed tilting with respect to at least one of an inflow direction of the cooling fluid and an outflow direction of the cooling fluid, so that a flow-path area of the cooling device can be increased even when the cooling fluid duct does not have a sufficient size, and the cooling device can be made smaller in size and lighter in weight, and also made capable of advancing sufficient heat exchange performance; and it is possible to obtain the rotating electric machine that is collectively smaller in size and lighter in weight.

EMBODIMENTS FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

First, the explanation will be made for a basic configuration of a cooling device of a rotating electric machine according to the present invention.FIG. 1(a)andFIG. 1(b)are conceptual diagrams outlining, in contrast to a cooling device of a conventional rotating electric machine, a cooling device of the rotating electric machine according to the present invention, respectively;FIG. 1(a)is the cooling device of the conventional rotating electric machine, andFIG. 1(b)is the cooling device of the rotating electric machine according to the present invention. In the cooling device10of the conventional rotating electric machine shown inFIG. 1(a), the first end-face portion101is placed to be perpendicular to an inflow direction11of the cooling fluid that is a high temperature gas. In other words, the first end-face portion101is placed in parallel with a first orthogonal surface S1 which is perpendicular to the inflow direction11of the cooling fluid. In addition, the second end-face portion102is placed to be perpendicular to an outflow direction12of the cooling fluid that is a low temperature gas having been cooled. In other words, the second end-face portion102is placed in parallel with a second orthogonal surface S2 which is perpendicular to the outflow direction12of the cooling fluid. Moreover, in the cooling device10of the conventional rotating electric machine shown inFIG. 1(a), the first end-face portion101is placed, on a side into which the cooling fluid flows, in parallel with a minimum-width's direction DW1 of internal space71of cooling fluid duct, and the second end-face portion102is placed, on a side from which the cooling fluid outflows, in parallel with a minimum-width's direction DW2 of internal space72of the cooling fluid duct.

For dealing therewith, in the cooling device10of the rotating electric machine according to the present invention shown inFIG. 1(b), the first end-face portion101is placed to be inclined or tilted with respect to an inflow direction11of the cooling fluid, and the second end-face portion102is placed to be inclined or tilted with respect to an outflow direction12of the cooling fluid. In other words, the first and second end-face portions101and102are placed to be inclined or tilted with respect to first and second orthogonal surfaces S1 and S2 which are perpendicular to the inflow direction11of the cooling fluid and outflow direction12thereof, respectively. Note that, the first end-face portion101and the second end-face portion102are formed at the positions to oppose to each other. In addition, in the cooling device10of the rotating electric machine according to the present invention shown inFIG. 1(b), the first end-face portion101is placed, on a side into which the cooling fluid flows, to be inclined or tilted with respect to a minimum-width's direction DW1 of internal space71of cooling fluid duct, and the second end-face portion102is placed, on a side from which the cooling fluid outflows, to be inclined or tilted to a minimum-width's direction DW2 of internal space72of the cooling fluid duct. Note that, it may also be possible that the first and second end-face portions101and102are placed in perpendicular, i.e., tilting to a maximum angle, with respect to the minimum-width's directions DW1 and DW2 of the internal spaces of the cooling fluid duct, respectively. In order to miniaturize the cooling device10, it is desirable that the first end-face portion101and the second end-face portion102are set in parallel with each other; however, it may also be possible to set them not in parallel with each other due to a relationship of a space or the like to mount the cooling device10.

In a case of the cooling device10of the conventional rotating electric machine shown inFIG. 1(a), a vertical dimension La of each of the first end-face portion101and the second end-face portion102is equal to a vertical dimension DW1 of the cooling-fluid duct's internal space71on a side in which the cooling fluid flows into the cooling device, and to a vertical dimension DW2 (=DW1) of the cooling-fluid duct's internal space72on aside in which the cooling fluid outflows. An end-face portion area “A” in this conventional cooling device10is given: “A”=Vertical dimension of end-face portion La×Horizontal dimension of end-face portion (the dimension perpendicular to the paper; not shown in the figures).

Meanwhile, in a case of the cooling device10of the rotating electric machine according to the present invention shown inFIG. 1(b), a vertical dimension Lb of each of the first end-face portion101and the second end-face portion102is larger than a vertical dimension DW1 of the cooling-fluid duct's internal space71on a side in which the cooling fluid flows into the cooling device, and larger than a vertical dimension DW2 (=DW1) of the cooling-fluid duct's internal space72on a side in which the cooling fluid outflows. An end-face portion area “B” in the cooling device10of the rotating electric machine according to the present invention is given: “B”=Vertical dimension of end-face portion Lb×Horizontal dimension of end-face portion (the dimension perpendicular to the paper; not shown in the figures).

Therefore, it is clear that, if the horizontal dimensions (described above) of the first end-face portion101and second end-face portion102of the aforementioned conventional cooling device10and the horizontal dimensions (described above) of the first end-face portion101and the second end-face portion102of the cooling device10according to the present invention are the same, the end-face portion area “B” of the cooling device10according to the present invention is larger than the end-face portion area “A” of the conventional cooling device10. If the end-face portion area of the cooling device is increased, the velocity of flow of the cooling fluid that has flowed into the cooling device is decreased, so that the cooling fluid contacts with cooling pipes107over a prolonged period of time. As a result, the cooling device10according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention shown inFIG. 1(b)achieves a high heat exchange performance in comparison with the conventional cooling device10shown inFIG. 1(a).

According to the above, a feature resides in that the cooling device10of the rotating electric machine according to the present invention includes a first end-face portion101through which a cooling fluid flows into the cooling device from an internal space of a cooling fluid duct, and a second end-face portion102from which the cooling fluid having been cooled outflows into the internal space of the cooling fluid duct; and at least one of the end-face portions between the first end-face portion101and the second end-face portion102is placed tilting with respect to the minimum-width's directions DW1 and DW2 of the cooling-fluid duct's internal spaces71and72in vicinity to the cooling device10, or at least one of the end-face portions between the first end-face portion101and the second end-face portion102is placed tilting with respect to at least one of a principal inflow direction11of the cooling fluid and a principal outflow direction12of the cooling fluid.

Note that, it may also be a possible case in which the inflow direction of the cooling fluid and the outflow direction of the cooling fluid differ from each other; however, the cooling device of the rotating electric machine according to the present invention is configured in such a manner that at least one of the end-face portions between the first end-face portion101and the second end-face portion102is placed tilting with respect to at least one of an inflow direction of a cooling fluid and an outflow direction of the cooling fluid. In addition, there arises a case in which the inflow direction11of the cooling fluid and the outflow direction12of the cooling fluid individually include a plurality of directions; however, in the present invention, it may be adopted that the inflow direction of the cooling fluid is in any one of the plurality of those inflow directions, and moreover, it may be adopted that the outflow direction of the cooling fluid is in any one of the plurality of those outflow directions. It is desirable that the inflow direction of the cooling fluid is a direction in which a largest amount of inflow is observed among the plurality of those inflow directions, and that the outflow direction of the cooling fluid is a direction in which a largest amount of outflow is observed among the plurality of those outflow directions.

Next, the explanation will be made for a rotating electric machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2(a)andFIG. 2(b)are configuration diagrams illustrating a rotating electric machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;FIG. 2(a)is the configuration diagram illustrating it by a vertical or longitudinal section, andFIG. 2(b)is the configuration diagram illustrating it by a cross section. InFIG. 2(a)andFIG. 2(b), the frame1that accommodates the rotor2and the stator4is cylindrically formed. A first cooling fluid duct1ais placed, in an axis-line direction of the stator4, in an upper portion of the frame1and on one end portion side thereof. A second cooling fluid duct1bis placed, having an independent configuration with respect to the first cooling fluid duct1a, in the upper portion of the frame1and on the other end portion side thereof in an axis-line direction of the stator4. Internal spaces701and702of the first and second cooling fluid ducts1aand1bform flow paths to flow a cooling fluid therethrough, respectively, and individually communicate with the internal space7of the frame1.

A first cooling device10ais placed in the internal space701of the first cooling fluid duct1a, and is placed tilting with respect to the axis line X of the stator4. A second cooling device10bis placed in the internal space702of the second cooling fluid duct1b, and is placed tilting with respect to the axis line X of the stator4. The tilting directions of the first and second cooling devices10aand10bare reversed to each other.

The first cooling device10aincludes the first end-face portion101through which the cooling fluid from the internal space701of the first cooling fluid duct1aflows into the cooling device, and the second end-face portion102from which the cooling fluid that has been cooled is outflowed into the internal space701of the first cooling fluid duct1a. The first end-face portion101and the second end-face portion102are placed in parallel with each other. The first end-face portion101is placed tilting with respect to an inflow direction11of the cooling fluid. In other words, the first end-face portion is placed tilting with respect to a first orthogonal surface S1 (“S1” inFIG. 1(b)) which is perpendicular to the inflow direction11of the cooling fluid. Moreover, the second end-face portion102of the first cooling device10ais placed tilting with respect to an outflow direction12of the cooling fluid. In other words, the second end-face portion is placed tilting with respect to a second orthogonal surface S2 (“S2” inFIG. 1(b)) which is perpendicular to the outflow direction12of the cooling fluid, and an end-edge(s) of the first cooling device contacts with an inner face portion(s) of the first cooling fluid duct1a. The first end-face portion101of the first cooling device10adescribed above opposes to an outer circumferential face side of the stator4along a direction in which the axis line X of the stator4extends, and the second end-face portion102opposes to an inner face portion of the first cooling fluid duct1aalong a direction in which the axis line X of the stator4extends. In addition, the first and second end-face portions101and102of the first cooling device10aare placed tilting with respect to a minimum-width's direction DW of a flow path which is the internal space701formed in vicinity to the cooling device of the first cooling fluid duct1a.

The second cooling device10bincludes the first end-face portion101through which the cooling fluid from the internal space702of the second cooling fluid duct1bflows into the cooling device, and the second end-face portion102from which the cooling fluid that has been cooled is outflowed into the internal space702of the second cooling fluid duct1b. The first end-face portion101and the second end-face portion102are placed in parallel with each other. The first end-face portion101is placed tilting with respect to an inflow direction11of the cooling fluid. In other words, the first end-face portion is placed tilting with respect to a first orthogonal surface S1 (“S1” inFIG. 1(b)) which is perpendicular to the inflow direction11of the cooling fluid. In addition, the second end-face portion102of the second cooling device10bis placed tilting with respect to an outflow direction12of the cooling fluid. In other words, the second end-face portion is placed tilting with respect to a second orthogonal surface S2 (“S2” inFIG. 1(b)) which is perpendicular to the outflow direction12of the cooling fluid, and an end-edge(s) of the second cooling device contacts with an inner face portion(s) of the second cooling fluid duct1b.

The first end-face portion101of the second cooling device10bdescribed above opposes to the outer circumferential face side of the stator4along a direction in which the axis line X of the stator4extends, and the second end-face portion102opposes to an inner face portion of the second cooling fluid duct1balong a direction in which the axis line X of the stator4extends. Moreover, the first and second end-face portions101and102of the second cooling device10bare placed tilting with respect to a minimum-width's direction DW of a flow path which is the internal space702formed in vicinity to the cooling device of the second cooling fluid duct1b.

The first and second cooling devices10aand10beach include a plurality of cooling pipes (corresponding to the cooling pipes107inFIG. 1(b)) which extend along the respective first end-face portion101and second end-face portion102, connecting therebetween; however, these configurations and other constituent items are equivalent or similar to those shown inFIG. 1(b), andFIG. 18(a)and FIG.18(b) described above.

In the rotating electric machine configured as described above according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, a low-temperature cooling fluid cooled by the first and second cooling devices10aand10aflows from the first and second cooling fluid ducts1aand1binto the internal space7of the frame1, and moreover, arrives at the gap6by way of stator ducts (not shown in the figures) of the stator4. And then, the cooling fluid flows, under suction from both end portions of the rotor2and stator4in axial directions thereof by means of cooling fans (not shown in the figures), from the internal space7of the frame1into the internal spaces701and702of the first and second cooling fluid ducts1aand1b, respectively, and flows through the first end-face portions101of the first and second cooling devices10aand10binto the interiors of respective cooling devices so as to be cooled by the aforementioned cooling pipes. By the cooling fluid that circulates as described above, the rotor2, the stator4and the stator winding(s)5are cooled.

Note that, the circulating direction of the cooling fluid may be adopted so that those directions indicated by the arrows inFIG. 2(a)andFIG. 2(b)are reversed. In this case, the placement of the first end-face portions101and the second end-face portions102in each of the first and second cooling devices10aand10btakes a reversed placement with respect to that shown inFIG. 2(a)andFIG. 2(b), and also directions in which the cooling fluid is transported under pressure by means of the cooling fans are in reversed relation to those described above.

FIG. 3is an illustrative configuration diagram for explaining the rotating electric machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, in contrast to a conventional rotating electric machine whose cooling devices are placed as shown inFIG. 1(a); part (a) ofFIG. 3shows the conventional rotating electric machine, and part (b) ofFIG. 3, the rotating electric machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In comparison with the conventional rotating electric machine shown in part (a) ofFIG. 3, the rotating electric machine shown in part (b) ofFIG. 3according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is configured to place the cooling devices as described above, so that sizes of the cooling devices can be made smaller than those in conventional cases as indicated by the broken lines, and as a result, it is possible to obtain a rotating electric machine that includes the cooling devices having high heat exchange performance without increasing the outer dimensions of the cooling fluid ducts1aand1b.

As described above, the rotating electric machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention includes the following features.

(1) There included are a first cooling fluid duct placed, in an axis-line direction of a stator, in an upper portion of a frame and on one end portion side thereof; and a second cooling fluid duct placed, being independent of the first cooling fluid duct in an axis-line direction of the stator, in the upper portion of the frame and on the other end portion side thereof.
(2) There included are a first cooling device placed in an internal space of the first cooling fluid duct, and a second cooling device placed in an internal space of the second cooling fluid duct; and these cooling devices are placed tilting so that their end portion sides in an axis-line direction of the stator take high positions. The first and second cooling devices are placed tilting so that their end portion sides in an axis-line direction of the stator take the most distant positions from the stator.
(3) The first and second cooling devices each include a first end-face portion and a second end-face portion: between the first end-face portion and the second end-face portion of the first cooling device, one of the end-face portions is placed so as to opposes to an outer circumferential face side of the stator along a direction in which the axis line extends, and the other end-face portion is placed so as to opposes to an inner face portion of the first cooling fluid duct along a direction in which the axis line extends.
(4) Between the first end-face portion and the second end-face portion of the second cooling device, one of the end-face portions is placed so as to opposes to the outer circumferential face side of the stator along a direction in which the axis line extends, and the other end-face portion is placed so as to oppose to an inner face portion of the second cooling fluid duct along a direction in which the axis line extends.
(5) The first and second cooling devices are individually provided with the basic configuration of the cooling device of the rotating electric machine according to the present invention described referring toFIG. 1(b).
(6) The frame is cylindrically formed.

Next, the explanation will be made for a rotating electric machine according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 4(a)andFIG. 4(b)are configuration diagrams illustrating a rotating electric machine according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention;FIG. 4(a)is the configuration diagram illustrating it by a longitudinal section, andFIG. 4(b)is the configuration diagram illustrating it by a cross section. InFIG. 4 (a)andFIG. 4 (b), the frame1that accommodates the rotor2and the stator4is formed in a rectangular box shape. A first cooling fluid duct1ais placed, in an axis-line direction of the stator4, in an upper portion of the frame1and on one end portion side thereof. The second cooling fluid duct1bis placed, having an independent configuration with respect to the first cooling fluid duct1a, in the upper portion of the frame1and on the other end portion side thereof in an axis-line direction of the stator4. The internal spaces701and702of the respective first and second cooling fluid ducts1aand1bindividually communicate with the internal space7of the frame1.

The first cooling device10ais placed in the internal space701of the first cooling fluid duct1a, and placed tilting with respect to the axis line X of the stator4. The second cooling device10bis placed in the internal space702of the second cooling fluid duct1b, and placed tilting with respect to the axis line X of the stator4. The tilting directions of the first and second cooling devices10aand10bare reversed to each other.

The first cooling device10aincludes the first end-face portion101through which the cooling fluid from the internal space701of the first cooling fluid duct1aflows into the cooling device, and the second end-face portion102from which the cooling fluid that has been cooled is outflowed into the internal space701of the first cooling fluid duct1a. The first end-face portion101and the second end-face portion102are placed in parallel with each other. The first end-face portion101is placed tilting with respect to an inflow direction11of the cooling fluid. In other words, the first end-face portion is placed tilting with respect to a first orthogonal surface S1 (“S1” inFIG. 1(b)) which is perpendicular to the inflow direction11of the cooling fluid. In addition, the second end-face portion102of the first cooling device10ais placed tilting with respect to an outflow direction12of the cooling fluid. In other words, the second end-face portion is placed tilting with respect to a second orthogonal surface S2 (“S2” inFIG. 1(b)) which is perpendicular to the outflow direction12of the cooling fluid. An end-edge(s) of the first cooling device10acontacts with an inner face portion(s) of the first cooling fluid duct1a.

The first end-face portion101of the first cooling fluid duct1adescribed above opposes to an inner face portion of the second cooling fluid duct1balong a direction in which the axis line X of the stator4extends, and the second end-face portion102opposes to an outer circumferential face side of the stator4along a direction in which the axis line X of the stator4extends. Moreover, the first and second end-face portions101and102of the first cooling fluid duct1aare placed tilting with respect to a minimum-width's direction DW of a flow path which is the internal space701formed in vicinity to the cooling device of the first cooling fluid duct1a.

The second cooling device10bincludes the first end-face portion101through which the cooling fluid from the internal space702of the second cooling fluid duct1bflows into the cooling device, and the second end-face portion102from which the cooling fluid that has been cooled is outflowed into the internal space702of the second cooling fluid duct1b. The first end-face portion101and the second end-face portion102are placed in parallel with each other. The first end-face portion101is placed tilting with respect to an inflow direction11of the cooling fluid. In other words, the first end-face portion is placed tilting with respect to a first orthogonal surface S1 (“S1” inFIG. 1(b)) which is perpendicular to the inflow direction11of the cooling fluid. In addition, the second end-face portion102of the second cooling device10bis placed tilting with respect to an outflow direction12of the cooling fluid. In other words, the second end-face portion is placed tilting with respect to a second orthogonal surface S2 (“S2” inFIG. 1(b)) which is perpendicular to the outflow direction12of the cooling fluid. An end-edge(s) of the second cooling device10bcontacts with an inner face portion(s) of the first cooling fluid duct1a.

The first end-face portion101of the second cooling device10bdescribed above opposes to an inner face portion of the second cooling fluid duct1balong a direction in which the axis line X of the stator4extends, and the second end-face portion102opposes to an outer circumferential face side of the stator4along a direction in which the axis line X of the stator4extends. Moreover, the first and second end-face portions101and102of the second cooling device10bare placed tilting with respect to a minimum-width's direction DW of a flow path which is the internal space702formed in vicinity to the cooling device of the second cooling fluid duct1b.

The first and second cooling devices10aand10beach include a plurality of cooling pipes (corresponding to the cooling pipes107inFIG. 1(b)) which extend along the respective first end-face portion101and second end-face portion102, connecting therebetween; however, these configurations and other constituent items are equivalent or similar to those shown inFIG. 1(b), andFIG. 18(a)andFIG. 18(b)described above.

In the rotating electric machine configured as described above according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, a low-temperature cooling fluid cooled by the first and second cooling devices10aand10bflows from the first and second cooling fluid ducts1aand1binto the internal space7of the frame1, and moreover, arrives at the gap6by way of stator ducts (not shown in the figures) of the stator4.

And then, the cooling fluid flows, under suction from both end portions of the rotor2and stator4in axial directions thereof by means of cooling fans (not shown in the figures), from the internal space7of the frame1into the interiors of the first and second cooling fluid ducts1aand1b, respectively, and flows in through the first end-face portions101of the first and second cooling devices10aand10binto the interiors of respective cooling devices so as to be cooled by the aforementioned cooling pipes. By the cooling fluid that circulates as described above, the rotor2, the stator4and the stator winding(s)5are cooled.

Note that, the circulating direction of the cooling fluid may be adopted so that those directions indicated by the arrows inFIG. 4(a)andFIG. 4(b)are reversed. In this case, the placement of the first end-face portions101and the second end-face portions102in each of the first and second cooling devices10aand10btakes a reversed placement with respect to that shown inFIG. 4(a)andFIG. 4(b), and also directions in which the cooling fluid is transported under pressure by means of the cooling fans are in reversed relation to those described above.

FIG. 5is an illustrative configuration diagram for explaining the rotating electric machine according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, in contrast to a conventional rotating electric machine whose cooling devices are placed as shown inFIG. 1(a); part (a) ofFIG. 5shows the conventional rotating electric machine, and part (b) ofFIG. 5, the rotating electric machine according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In comparison with the conventional rotating electric machine shown in part (a) ofFIG. 5, the rotating electric machine shown in part (b) ofFIG. 5according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention is configured to place the cooling devices as described above, so that sizes of the cooling devices can be made smaller than those in conventional cases as indicated by the broken lines, and as a result, it is possible to obtain a rotating electric machine that includes the cooling devices having high heat exchange performance without increasing the outer dimensions of the cooling fluid ducts1aand1b.

As described above, the rotating electric machine according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention includes the following features.

(1) There included are a first cooling fluid duct placed, in an axis-line direction of a stator, in an upper portion of a frame and on one end portion side thereof; and a second cooling fluid duct placed, being independent of the first cooling fluid duct in an axis-line direction of the stator, in the upper portion of the frame and on the other end portion side thereof.
(2) There included are a first cooling device placed in an internal space of the first cooling fluid duct, and a second cooling device placed in an internal space of the second cooling fluid duct; and these cooling devices are placed tilting so that their end portion sides in an axis-line direction of the stator take the nearest positions to the stator.
(3) The first and second cooling devices each include a first end-face portion and a second end-face portion: between the first end-face portion and the second end-face portion of the first cooling device, one of the end-face portions is placed so as to oppose to an outer circumferential face side of the stator along a direction in which the axis line extends, and the other end-face portion is placed so as to oppose to an inner face portion of the first cooling fluid duct along a direction in which the axis line extends.
(4) Between the first end-face portion and the second end-face portion of the second cooling device, one of the end-face portions is placed so as to oppose to the outer circumferential face side of the stator along a direction in which the axis line extends, and the other end-face portion is placed so as to oppose to an inner face portion of the second cooling fluid duct along a direction in which the axis line extends.
(5) The first and second cooling devices are individually provided with the basic configuration of the cooling device of the rotating electric machine according to the present invention described referring toFIG. 1(b).
(6) The frame is cylindrically formed.

Next, the explanation will be made for a rotating electric machine according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 6(a)andFIG. 6(b)are configuration diagrams illustrating a rotating electric machine according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention;FIG. 6(a)is the configuration diagram illustrating it by a longitudinal section, andFIG. 6(b)is the configuration diagram illustrating it by a cross section. InFIG. 6(a)andFIG. 6(b), the frame1that accommodates the rotor2and the stator4is formed in a rectangular box shape. A cooling fluid duct1cis placed in an upper portion of the frame1, and continuously formed over a span between both end portions thereof in an axis-line direction of the stator4; and an internal space703of the cooling fluid duct communicates with the internal space7of the frame1.

The first cooling device10ais provided with a width-wise dimension equal to a horizontal width of the cooling fluid duct1c, and placed tilting with respect to the axis line X of the stator4. The second cooling device10bis provided with a width-wise dimension equal to the horizontal width of the cooling fluid duct1c, and is placed tilting with respect to the axis line X of the stator4. The tilting directions of the first and second cooling devices10aand10bare reversed to each other, and in addition, they are placed being separated to each other.

The first cooling device10aincludes the first end-face portion101through which the cooling fluid from the interior of the cooling fluid duct1cflows into the cooling device, and the second end-face portion102from which the cooling fluid that has been cooled is outflowed into the cooling fluid duct1c. The first end-face portion101and the second end-face portion102are placed in parallel with each other. The first end-face portion101is placed tilting with respect to an inflow direction11of the cooling fluid. In other words, the first end-face portion is placed tilting with respect to a first orthogonal surface S1 (“S1” inFIG. 1(b)) which is perpendicular to the inflow direction11of the cooling fluid. In addition, the second end-face portion102of the first cooling device10ais placed tilting with respect to an outflow direction12of the cooling fluid. In other words, the second end-face portion is placed tilting with respect to a second orthogonal surface S2 (“S2” inFIG. 1(b)) which is perpendicular to the outflow direction12of the cooling fluid. Moreover, the first and second end-face portions101and102of the first cooling device10aare placed tilting with respect to a minimum-width's direction DW of a flow path which is the internal space703formed in vicinity to the cooling devices of the cooling fluid duct1c.

The first end-face portion101of the first cooling device10adescribed above opposes to an outer circumferential face side of the stator4along a direction in which the axis line X of the stator4extends, and the second end-face portion102opposes to an inner face portion of the cooling fluid duct1calong a direction in which the axis line X of the stator4extends.

The second cooling device10bincludes the first end-face portion101through which the cooling fluid from the interior of the cooling fluid duct1cflows into the cooling device, and the second end-face portion102from which the cooling fluid that has been cooled is outflowed into the cooling fluid duct1c. The first end-face portion101and the second end-face portion102are placed in parallel with each other. The first end-face portion101is placed tilting with respect to an inflow direction11of the cooling fluid. In other words, the first end-face portion is placed tilting with respect to a first orthogonal surface S1 (“S1” inFIG. 1(b)) which is perpendicular to the inflow direction11of the cooling fluid. In addition, the second end-face portion102of the second cooling device10bis placed tilting with respect to an outflow direction12of the cooling fluid. In other words, the second end-face portion is placed tilting with respect to a second orthogonal surface S2 (“S2” inFIG. 1(b)) which is perpendicular to the outflow direction12of the cooling fluid. Moreover, the first and second end-face portions101and102of the second cooling device10bare placed tilting with respect to a minimum-width's direction DW of the flow path that is the internal space703formed in vicinity to the cooling devices of the first cooling fluid duct1c.

The first end-face portion101of the second cooling device10bdescribed above opposes to the outer circumferential face side of the stator4along a direction in which the axis line X of the stator4extends, and the second end-face portion102opposes to an inner face portion of the cooling fluid duct1calong a direction in which the axis line X of the stator4extends.

The first and second cooling devices10aand10beach include a plurality of cooling pipes (corresponding to the cooling pipes107inFIG. 1(b)) which extend along the respective first end-face portion101and second end-face portion102, connecting therebetween; however, these configurations and other constituent items are equivalent or similar to those shown inFIG. 1(b), andFIG. 18(a)andFIG. 18(b)described above.

In the rotating electric machine configured as described above according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention, a low-temperature cooling fluid cooled by the first and second cooling devices10aand10bflows from the internal space703of the cooling fluid duct1cinto the internal space7of the frame1, and moreover, is transported under pressure into the gap6from both end portions of the rotor2and stator4in axial directions thereof by means of cooling fans (not shown in the figures). And then, the cooling fluid outflows from the stator ducts (not shown in the figures) of the stator4into the internal space7of the frame1; and subsequently, the cooling fluid flows into the internal space703of the cooling fluid duct1c, and flows through the first end-face portions101of the first and second cooling devices10aand10binto the interiors of respective cooling devices so as to be cooled by the aforementioned cooling pipes. By the cooling fluid that circulates as described above, the rotor2, the stator4and the stator winding(s)5are cooled.

Note that, the circulating direction of the cooling fluid may be adopted so that those directions indicated by the arrows inFIG. 6(a)andFIG. 6(b)are reversed. In this case, the placement of the first end-face portions101and the second end-face portions102in each of the first and second cooling devices10aand10btakes a reversed placement with respect to that shown inFIG. 6(a)andFIG. 6(b), and also directions in which the cooling fluid is transported under pressure by means of the cooling fans are in reversed relation to those described above.

FIG. 7is an illustrative configuration diagram for explaining the rotating electric machine according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention, in contrast to a conventional rotating electric machine whose cooling devices are placed as shown inFIG. 1(a); part (a) ofFIG. 7shows the conventional rotating electric machine, and part (b) ofFIG. 7, the rotating electric machine according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In comparison with the conventional rotating electric machine shown in part (a) ofFIG. 7, the rotating electric machine shown in part (b) ofFIG. 7according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention is configured to place the cooling devices as described above, so that sizes of the cooling devices can be made smaller than those in conventional cases as indicated by the broken lines, and as a result, it is possible to obtain a rotating electric machine that includes the cooling devices having high heat exchange performance without increasing the outer dimensions of the cooling fluid duct1c.

As described above, the rotating electric machine according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention includes the following features.

(1) A cooling fluid duct is made of a cooling fluid duct continuously formed in an upper portion of a frame, over a span between both end portions thereof in an axis-line direction of a stator.

(2) Within the cooling fluid duct, first and second cooling devices are placed to be arranged side by side in, being angled with respect to, a direction in which an axis-line of the stator extends; and these cooling devices are placed tilting so that their end portion sides in an axis-line direction of the stator take the nearest positions to the stator.
(3) The first and second cooling devices each include a first end-face portion and a second end-face portion: between the first end-face portion and the second end-face portion of the respective first and second cooling devices, one of the end-face portions is placed so as to oppose to an outer circumferential face side of the stator, and the other end-face portion is placed so as to oppose to an inner face portion of the cooling fluid duct.
(4) The first and second cooling devices are placed being separated to each other in a direction in which the axis-line extends.
(5) The first and second cooling devices are individually provided with the basic configuration of the cooling device of the rotating electric machine according to the present invention described referring toFIG. 1(b).
(6) The frame is formed in a rectangular box shape.

Next, the explanation will be made for a rotating electric machine according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 8(a)andFIG. 8(b)are configuration diagrams illustrating a rotating electric machine according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention;FIG. 8(a)is the configuration diagram illustrating it by a longitudinal section, andFIG. 8(b)is the configuration diagram illustrating it by a cross section. InFIG. 8(a)andFIG. 8(b), the frame1that accommodates the rotor2and the stator4is formed in a rectangular box shape. The cooling fluid duct1cis placed in an upper portion of the frame1, and continuously formed in the upper portion of the frame1over a span between both end portions thereof in an axis-line direction of the stator4; and an internal space703of the cooling fluid duct communicates with the internal space7of the frame1.

The first cooling device10ais provided with a width-wise dimension equal to a horizontal width of the cooling fluid duct1c, and placed tilting with respect to the axis line X of the stator4. The second cooling device10bis provided with a width-wise dimension equal to the horizontal width of the cooling fluid duct1c, and placed tilting with respect to the axis line X of the stator4. The tilting directions of the first and second cooling devices10aand10bare reversed to each other, and in addition, they are placed being separated to each other.

The first cooling device10aincludes the first end-face portion101through which the cooling fluid from the interior of the cooling fluid duct1cflows into the cooling device, and the second end-face portion102from which the cooling fluid that has been cooled is outflowed into the cooling fluid duct1c. The first end-face portion101and the second end-face portion102are placed in parallel with each other. The first end-face portion101is placed tilting with respect to an inflow direction11of the cooling fluid. In other words, the first end-face portion is placed tilting with respect to a first orthogonal surface S1 (“S1” inFIG. 1(b)) which is perpendicular to the inflow direction11of the cooling fluid. In addition, the second end-face portion102of the first cooling device10ais placed tilting with respect to an outflow direction12of the cooling fluid. In other words, the second end-face portion is placed tilting with respect to a second orthogonal surface S2 (“S2” inFIG. 1(b)) which is perpendicular to the outflow direction12of the cooling fluid. Moreover, the first and second end-face portions101and102of the first cooling device10aare placed tilting with respect to a minimum-width's direction DW of a flow path which is the internal space703formed in vicinity to the cooling devices of the first cooling fluid duct1c.

The first end-face portion101of the first cooling device10adescribed above opposes to an inner face portion of the cooling fluid duct1calong a direction in which the axis line X of the stator4extends, and the second end-face portion102opposes to an outer circumferential face side of the stator4along a direction in which the axis line X of the stator4extends.

The second cooling device10bincludes the first end-face portion101through which the cooling fluid from the interior of the cooling fluid duct1cflows into the cooling device, and the second end-face portion102from which the cooling fluid that has been cooled is outflowed into the cooling fluid duct1c. The first end-face portion101and the second end-face portion102are placed in parallel with each other. The first end-face portion101is placed tilting with respect to an inflow direction11of the cooling fluid. In other words, the first end-face portion is placed tilting with respect to a first orthogonal surface S1 (“S1” inFIG. 1(b)) which is perpendicular to the inflow direction11of the cooling fluid. In addition, the second end-face portion102of the second cooling device10bis placed tilting with respect to an outflow direction12of the cooling fluid. In other words, the second end-face portion is placed tilting with respect to a second orthogonal surface S2 (“S2” inFIG. 1(b)) which is perpendicular to the outflow direction12of the cooling fluid. Moreover, the first and second end-face portions101and102of the second cooling device10bare placed tilting with respect to a minimum-width's direction DW of the flow path that is the internal space703formed in vicinity to the cooling device of the first cooling fluid duct1c.

The first end-face portion101of the second cooling device10bdescribed above opposes to an inner face portion of the cooling fluid duct1calong a direction in which the axis line X of the stator4extends, and the second end-face portion102opposes to the outer circumferential face side of the stator4along a direction in which the axis line X of the stator4extends.

The first and second cooling devices10aand10beach include a plurality of cooling pipes (corresponding to the cooling pipes107inFIG. 1(b)) which extend along the respective first end-face portion101and second end-face portion102, connecting therebetween; however, these configurations and other constituent items are equivalent or similar to those shown inFIG. 1(b), andFIG. 18(a)andFIG. 18(b)described above.

In the rotating electric machine configured as described above according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention, a low-temperature cooling fluid cooled by the first and second cooling devices10aand10bflows from the internal space703of the cooling fluid duct1cinto the internal space7of the frame1, and moreover, is transported under pressure into the gap6from both end portions of the rotor2and stator4in axial directions thereof by means of cooling fans (not shown in the figures). And then, the cooling fluid outflows from the stator ducts (not shown in the figures) of the stator4into the internal space7of the frame1; and subsequently, the cooling fluid flows into the internal space703of the cooling fluid duct1c, and flows through the first end-face portions101of the first and second cooling devices10aand10binto the interiors of respective cooling devices so as to be cooled by the aforementioned cooling pipes. By the cooling fluid that circulates as described above, the rotor2, the stator4and the stator winding(s)5are cooled.

Note that, the circulating direction of the cooling fluid may be adopted so that those directions indicated by the arrows inFIG. 8(a)andFIG. 8(b)are reversed. In this case, the placement of the first end-face portion101and the second end-face portion102in each of the first and second cooling devices10aand10btakes a reversed placement with respect to that shown inFIG. 8(a)andFIG. 8(b), and also directions in which the cooling fluid is transported under pressure by means of the cooling fans are in reversed relation to those described above.

FIG. 9is an illustrative configuration diagram for explaining the rotating electric machine according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention, in contrast to a conventional rotating electric machine whose cooling devices are placed as shown inFIG. 1(a); part (a) ofFIG. 9shows the conventional rotating electric machine, and part (b) ofFIG. 9, the rotating electric machine according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. In comparison with the conventional rotating electric machine shown in part (a) ofFIG. 9, the rotating electric machine shown in part (b) ofFIG. 9according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention is configured to place the cooling devices as described above, so that sizes of the cooling devices can be made smaller than those in conventional cases as indicated by the broken lines, and as a result, it is possible to obtain a rotating electric machine that includes the cooling devices having high heat exchange performance without increasing the outer dimensions of the cooling fluid duct1c.

As described above, the rotating electric machine according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention includes the following features.

(1) A cooling fluid duct is made of a cooling fluid duct continuously formed in an upper portion of a frame, over a span between both end portions thereof in an axis-line direction of a stator.

(2) Within the cooling fluid duct, first and second cooling devices are placed to be arranged side by side in, being angled with respect to, a direction in which an axis-line of the stator extends; and these cooling devices are placed tilting so that their end portion sides in an axis-line direction of the stator take the most distant positions from the stator.
(3) The first and second cooling devices each include a first end-face portion and a second end-face portion: between the first end-face portion and the second end-face portion of the respective first and second cooling devices, one of the end-face portions is placed so as to oppose to an outer circumferential face side of the stator, and the other end-face portion is placed so as to oppose to an inner face portion of the cooling fluid duct.
(4) The first and second cooling devices are placed being separated to each other in a direction in which the axis-line extends.
(5) The first and second cooling devices are individually provided with the basic configuration of the cooling device of the rotating electric machine according to the present invention described referring toFIG. 1(b).
(6) The frame is formed in a rectangular box shape.

Next, the explanation will be made for a rotating electric machine according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention.

FIG. 10(a)andFIG. 10(b)are configuration diagrams illustrating a rotating electric machine according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention;FIG. 10(a)is the configuration diagram illustrating it by a longitudinal section, andFIG. 10(b)is the configuration diagram illustrating it by a cross section. InFIG. 10(a)andFIG. 10(b), the frame1that accommodates the rotor2and the stator4is formed in a rectangular box shape. A first cooling fluid duct1cis placed in an upper portion of the frame1, and continuously formed in the upper portion of the frame1over a span between both end portions thereof in an axis-line direction of the stator4; and an internal space703of the cooling fluid duct communicates with the internal space7of the frame1. A second cooling fluid duct1dis placed in a lower portion of the frame1, and continuously formed in the lower portion of the frame1over a span between both end portions thereof in an axis-line direction of the stator4; and an internal space704of the cooling fluid duct communicates with the internal space7of the frame1.

The first cooling device10a1is placed within the first cooling fluid duct1c, and provided with a width-wise dimension equal to a horizontal width of the first cooling fluid duct1c. This first cooling device10a1is placed tilting with respect to the axis line X of the stator4. The second cooling device10a2is placed within the first cooling fluid duct1c, and provided with a width-wise dimension equal to the horizontal width of the first cooling fluid duct1c. This second cooling device10a2is placed tilting with respect to the axis line X of the stator4. The tilting directions of the first and second cooling devices10a1and10a2are reversed to each other. In addition, the first and second cooling devices10a1and10a2are angled with respect to a direction in which the axis-line X extends, and separated to each other.

The first and second cooling devices10a1and10a2each include the first end-face portion101through which the cooling fluid from the frame's internal space7flows into each cooling device, and the second end-face portion102from which the cooling fluid that has been cooled is outflowed into the frame's internal space7. The first end-face portion101and the second end-face portion102are placed in parallel with each other. The first end-face portion101is placed tilting with respect to an inflow direction11of the cooling fluid. In other words, the first end-face portion is placed tilting with respect to a first orthogonal surface S1 (“S1” inFIG. 1(b)) which is perpendicular to the inflow direction11of the cooling fluid. In addition, the second end-face portion102of each of the first and second cooling devices10a1and10a2is placed tilting with respect to an outflow direction12of the cooling fluid. In other words, the second end-face portion is placed tilting with respect to a second orthogonal surface S2 (“S2” inFIG. 1(b)) which is perpendicular to the outflow direction12of the cooling fluid. Moreover, the first and second end-face portions101and102of each of the first and second cooling devices10a1and10a2are placed tilting with respect to a minimum-width's direction DW of a flow path which is the internal space703formed in vicinity to the cooling devices of the first cooling fluid duct1c.

The first end-face portion101of each of the first and second cooling devices10a1and10a2described above opposes to an outer circumferential face side of the stator4along a direction in which the axis line X of the stator4extends, and the second end-face portion102opposes to an inner face portion of the first cooling fluid duct1calong a direction in which the axis line X of the stator4extends.

A third cooling device10b1is placed within the second cooling fluid duct1d, and provided with a width-wise dimension equal to the horizontal width of the second cooling fluid duct1d. This third cooling device10b1is placed tilting with respect to the axis line X of the stator4. A fourth cooling device10b2is placed within the second cooling fluid duct1d, and provided with a width-wise dimension equal to the horizontal width of the second cooling fluid duct1d. This fourth cooling device10b2is placed tilting with respect to the axis line X of the stator4. The tilting directions of the third and fourth cooling devices10b1and10b2are reversed to each other. In addition, the third and fourth cooling devices10b1and10b2are angled with respect to a direction in which the axis-line X extends, and separated to each other.

The third and fourth cooling devices10b1and10b2each include the first end-face portion101through which the cooling fluid from the frame's internal space7flows into each cooling device, and the second end-face portion102from which the cooling fluid that has been cooled is outflowed into the frame's internal space7. The first end-face portion101and the second end-face portion102are placed in parallel with each other. The first end-face portion101is placed tilting with respect to an inflow direction11of the cooling fluid. In other words, the first end-face portion is placed tilting with respect to a first orthogonal surface S1 (“S1” inFIG. 1(b)) which is perpendicular to the inflow direction11of the cooling fluid. In addition, the second end-face portion102of each of the third and fourth cooling devices10b1and10b2is placed tilting with respect to an outflow direction12of the cooling fluid. In other words, the second end-face portion is placed tilting with respect to a second orthogonal surface S2 (“S2” inFIG. 1(b)) which is perpendicular to the outflow direction12of the cooling fluid. Moreover, the first and second end-face portions101and102of each of the third and fourth cooling devices10b1and10b2are placed tilting with respect to a minimum-width's direction DW of a flow path which is the internal space704formed in vicinity to the cooling devices of the second cooling fluid duct1d.

The first end-face portion101of each of the third and fourth cooling devices10b1and10b2described above opposes to the outer circumferential face side of the stator4along a direction in which the axis line X of the stator4extends, and the second end-face portion102opposes to an inner face portion of the second cooling fluid duct1d, or to a floor surface side on which the stator4is mounted, along a direction in which the axis line X of the stator4extends.

The first through fourth cooling devices10a1,10a2,10b1and10b2each include a plurality of cooling pipes (corresponding to the cooling pipes107inFIG. 1(b)) which extend along the respective first end-face portion101and second end-face portion102, connecting therebetween; however, these configurations and other constituent items are equivalent or similar to those shown inFIG. 1(b), andFIG. 18(a)andFIG. 18(b)described above.

In the rotating electric machine configured as described above according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention, a low-temperature cooling fluid cooled by the first through fourth cooling devices10a1,10a2,10b1and10b2is transported under pressure from both end portions of the rotor2and stator4in axial directions thereof by means of cooling fans (not shown in the figures), and flows into the gap6. The cooling fluid transported under pressure into the gap6flows through the plurality of stator ducts and outflows into the lower portion of frame's internal space7below the first and second cooling devices10a1and10a2, and also outflows into the upper portion of frame's internal space7above the third and fourth cooling devices10b1and10b2; and the cooling fluid flows, approximately in vertical directions as indicated by the arrows, through the first end-face portion101of each of the cooling devices10a1,10a2,10b1and10b2into the interiors of respective cooling devices so as to be cooled by the aforementioned cooling pipes, and outflows from the second end-face portion102of each of the cooling devices10a1,10a2,10b1and10b2into the internal spaces703and704of the respective first and second cooling fluid ducts1cand1d.

The low-temperature cooling fluid outflowed into the internal spaces703and704of the respective first and second cooling fluid ducts1cand1dis for a second time transported under pressure from both end portions of the rotor2in axial directions thereof into the gap6by means of the cooling fans. By the cooling fluid that circulates as described above, the rotor2, the stator4and the stator winding(s)5are cooled.

Note that, the circulating direction of the cooling fluid may be adopted so that those directions indicated by the arrows inFIG. 10(a)andFIG. 10(b)are reversed. In this case, the placement of the first end-face portion101and the second end-face portion102in each of the first through fourth cooling devices10a1,10a2,10b1and10b2takes a reversed placement with respect to that shown inFIG. 10(a)andFIG. 10(b), and also directions in which the cooling fluid is transported under pressure by means of the cooling fans are in reversed relation to those described above.

FIG. 11is an illustrative configuration diagram for explaining the rotating electric machine according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention, in contrast to a conventional rotating electric machine whose cooling devices are placed as shown inFIG. 1(a); part (a) ofFIG. 11shows the conventional rotating electric machine, and part (b) ofFIG. 11, the rotating electric machine according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. In comparison with the conventional rotating electric machine shown in part (a) ofFIG. 11, the rotating electric machine shown in part (b) ofFIG. 11according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention is configured to place the cooling devices as described above, so that sizes of the cooling devices can be made smaller than those in conventional cases as indicated by the broken lines, and as a result, it is possible to obtain a rotating electric machine that includes the cooling devices having high heat exchange performance without increasing the outer dimensions of the first and second cooling fluid ducts1cand1d.

As described above, the rotating electric machine according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention includes the following features.

(1) There included are a first cooling fluid duct continuously formed in an upper portion of a frame, over a span between both end portions thereof in an axis-line direction of a stator; and a second cooling fluid duct continuously formed in a lower portion of the frame, over a span between both end portions thereof in an axis-line direction of the stator.
(2) There included are first and second cooling devices placed in an internal space of the first cooling fluid duct, and arranged side by side in, being angled with respect to, a direction in which an axis-line of the stator extends; and third and fourth cooling devices placed in an internal space of the second cooling fluid duct, and arranged side by side in, being angled with respect to, a direction in which the axis-line of the stator extends. These cooling devices are placed tilting so that their end portion sides in an axis-line direction of the stator take the nearest positions to the stator.
(3) Between a first end-face portion and a second end-face portion of the respective first and second cooling devices, one of the end-face portions is placed so as to oppose to an outer circumferential face side of the stator along a direction in which the axis line extends, and the other end-face portion is placed so as to oppose to an inner face portion of the frame along a direction in which the axis line extends.
(4) Between a first end-face portion and a second end-face portion of the respective third and fourth cooling devices, one of the end-face portions is placed so as to oppose to an outer circumferential face side of the stator along a direction in which the axis line extends, and the other end-face portion is placed so as to oppose to an inner face portion of the frame, or to a floor surface side on which the stator is mounted, along a direction in which the axis line extends.
(5) The first and second cooling devices are separated to each other in a direction in which the axis-line extends, and also the third and fourth cooling devices are separated to each other in a direction in which the axis-line extends.
(6) The first through fourth cooling devices are individually provided with the basic configuration of the cooling device of the rotating electric machine according to the present invention described referring toFIG. 1(b).
(7) The frame is formed in a rectangular box shape.

Next, the explanation will be made for a rotating electric machine according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention.

FIG. 12(a)andFIG. 12(b)are configuration diagrams illustrating a rotating electric machine according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention;FIG. 12(a)is the configuration diagram illustrating it by a longitudinal section, andFIG. 12(b)is the configuration diagram illustrating it by a cross section. InFIG. 12(a)andFIG. 12(b), the frame1that accommodates the rotor2and the stator4is formed in a rectangular box shape. The first cooling fluid duct1cis placed in an upper portion of the frame1, and continuously formed in the upper portion of the frame1over a span between both end portions thereof in an axis-line direction of the stator4; and an internal space703of the cooling fluid duct communicates with the internal space7of the frame1. The second cooling fluid duct1dis placed in a lower portion of the frame1, and continuously formed in the lower portion of the frame1over a span between both end portions thereof in an axis-line direction of the stator4; and an internal space704of the cooling fluid duct communicates with the internal space7of the frame1.

The first cooling device10a1is placed within the first cooling fluid duct1c, and provided with a width-wise dimension equal to a horizontal width of the first cooling fluid duct1c. This first cooling device10a1is placed tilting with respect to the axis line X of the stator4. The second cooling device10a2is placed within the first cooling fluid duct1c, and provided with a width-wise dimension equal to the horizontal width of the first cooling fluid duct1c. This second cooling device10a2is placed tilting with respect to the axis line X of the stator4. The tilting directions of the first and second cooling devices10a1and10a2are reversed to each other. In addition, the first and second cooling devices10a1and10a2are angled with respect to a direction in which the axis-line X extends, and separated to each other.

The first and second cooling devices10a1and10a2each include the first end-face portion101through which the cooling fluid from the frame's internal space7flows into each cooling device, and the second end-face portion102from which the cooling fluid that has been cooled is outflowed into the frame's internal space7. The first end-face portion101and the second end-face portion102are placed in parallel with each other. The first end-face portion101is placed tilting with respect to an inflow direction11of the cooling fluid. In other words, the first end-face portion is placed tilting with respect to a first orthogonal surface S1 (“S1” inFIG. 1(b)) which is perpendicular to the inflow direction11of the cooling fluid. In addition, the second end-face portion102of each of the first and second cooling devices10a1and10a2is placed tilting with respect to an outflow direction12of the cooling fluid. In other words, the second end-face portion is placed tilting with respect to a second orthogonal surface S2 (“S2” inFIG. 1(b)) which is perpendicular to the outflow direction12of the cooling fluid. Moreover, the first and second end-face portions101and102of each of the first and second cooling devices10a1and10a2are placed tilting with respect to a minimum-width's direction DW of a flow path which is the internal space703formed in vicinity to the cooling devices of the first cooling fluid duct1c.

The first end-face portion101of each of the first and second cooling devices10a1and10a2described above opposes to an inner face portion of the first cooling fluid duct1calong a direction in which the axis line X of the stator4extends, and the second end-face portion102opposes to an outer circumferential face side of the stator4along a direction in which the axis line X of the stator4extends.

The third cooling device10b1is placed within the second cooling fluid duct1d, and provided with a width-wise dimension equal to the horizontal width of the second cooling fluid duct1d. This third cooling device10b1is placed tilting with respect to the axis line X of the stator4. The fourth cooling device10b2is placed within the second cooling fluid duct1d, and provided with a width-wise dimension equal to the horizontal width of the second cooling fluid duct1d. This fourth cooling device10b2is placed tilting with respect to the axis line X of the stator4. The tilting directions of the third and fourth cooling devices10b1and10b2are reversed to each other. In addition, the third and fourth cooling devices10b1and10b2are angled with respect to a direction in which the axis-line X extends, and separated to each other.

The third and fourth cooling devices10b1and10b2each include the first end-face portion101through which the cooling fluid from the frame's internal space7flows into each cooling device, and the second end-face portion102from which the cooling fluid that has been cooled is outflowed into the frame's internal space7. The first end-face portion101and the second end-face portion102are placed in parallel with each other. The first end-face portion101is placed tilting with respect to an inflow direction11of the cooling fluid. In other words, the first end-face portion is placed tilting with respect to a first orthogonal surface S1 (“S1” inFIG. 1(b)) which is perpendicular to the inflow direction11of the cooling fluid. In addition, the second end-face portion102of each of the third and fourth cooling devices10b1and10b2is placed tilting with respect to an outflow direction12of the cooling fluid. In other words, the second end-face portion is placed tilting with respect to a second orthogonal surface S2 (“S2” inFIG. 1(b)) which is perpendicular to the outflow direction12of the cooling fluid. Moreover, the first and second end-face portions101and102of each of the third and fourth cooling devices10b1and10b2are placed tilting with respect to a minimum-width's direction DW of a flow path which is the internal space704formed in vicinity to the cooling devices of the second cooling fluid duct1d.

The first end-face portion101of each of the third and fourth cooling devices10b1and10b2described above opposes to an inner face portion of the second cooling fluid duct1d, or to a floor surface side on which the stator4is mounted, along a direction in which the axis line X of the stator4extends; and the second end-face portion102opposes to the outer circumferential face side of the stator4along a direction in which the axis line X of the stator4extends.

The first through fourth cooling devices10a1,10a2,10b1and10b2each include a plurality of cooling pipes (corresponding to the cooling pipes107inFIG. 1(b)) which extend along the respective first end-face portion101and second end-face portion102, connecting therebetween; however, these configurations and other constituent items are equivalent or similar to those shown inFIG. 1(b), andFIG. 18(a)andFIG. 18(b)described above.

In the rotating electric machine configured as described above according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention, a low-temperature cooling fluid cooled by the first through fourth cooling devices10a1,10a2,10b1and10b2is transported under pressure from both end portions of the rotor2and stator4in axial directions thereof by means of cooling fans (not shown in the figures), and flows into the gap6. The cooling fluid transported under pressure into the gap6flows through the plurality of stator ducts, and flows, approximately in vertical directions as indicated by the arrows, from the internal spaces703and704of the first and second cooling fluid ducts1cand1dinto the first end-face portion101of each of the cooling devices10a1,10a2,10b1and10b2so as to be cooled by the cooling pipes of each of the cooling devices10a1,10a2,10b1and10b2; and, from the second end-face portion102of each of the cooling devices10a1,10a2,10b1and10b2, the cooling fluid arrives at the internal space7of the frame1by way of the internal spaces703and704of the first and second cooling fluid ducts1cand1d, respectively.

The low-temperature cooling fluid outflowed into the internal spaces703and704of the first and second cooling fluid ducts1cand1dis for a second time transported under pressure from both end portions of the rotor2in axial directions thereof into the gap6by means of the cooling fans. By the cooling fluid that circulates through the interior of the frame1as described above, the rotor2, the stator4and the stator winding(s)5are cooled.

Note that, the circulating direction of the cooling fluid may be adopted so that those directions indicated by the arrows inFIG. 12(a)andFIG. 12(b)are reversed. In this case, the placement of the first end-face portion101and the second end-face portion102in each of the first through fourth cooling devices10a1,10a2,10b1and10b2takes a reversed placement with respect to that shown inFIG. 12(a)andFIG. 12(b), and also directions in which the cooling fluid is transported under pressure by means of the cooling fans are in reversed relation to those described above.

FIG. 13is an illustrative configuration diagram for explaining the rotating electric machine according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention, in contrast to a conventional rotating electric machine whose cooling devices are placed as shown inFIG. 1(a); part (a) ofFIG. 13shows the conventional rotating electric machine, and part (b) ofFIG. 13, the rotating electric machine according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention. In comparison with the conventional rotating electric machine shown in part (a) ofFIG. 13, the rotating electric machine shown in part (b) ofFIG. 13according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention is configured to place the cooling devices as described above, so that sizes of the cooling devices can be made smaller than those in conventional cases as indicated by the broken lines, and as a result, it is possible to obtain a rotating electric machine that includes the cooling devices having high heat exchange performance without increasing the outer dimensions of the first and second cooling fluid ducts1cand1d.

As described above, the rotating electric machine according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention includes the following features.

(1) There included are a first cooling fluid duct continuously formed in an upper portion of a frame, over a span between both end portions thereof in an axis-line direction of a stator; and a second cooling fluid duct continuously formed in a lower portion of the frame, over a span between both end portions thereof in an axis-line direction of the stator.
(2) There included are first and second cooling devices placed in an internal space of the first cooling fluid duct, and arranged side by side in, being angled with respect to, a direction in which an axis-line of the stator extends; and third and fourth cooling devices placed in an internal space of the second cooling fluid duct, and arranged side by side in, being angled with respect to, a direction in which the axis-line of the stator extends. These cooling devices are placed tilting so that their end portion sides in an axis-line direction of the stator take the most distant positions from the stator.
(3) Between a first end-face portion and a second end-face portion of the respective first and second cooling devices, one of the end-face portions is placed so as to oppose to an outer circumferential face side of the stator along a direction in which the axis line extends, and the other end-face portion is placed so as to oppose to an inner face portion of the frame along a direction in which the axis line extends.
(4) Between a first end-face portion and a second end-face portion of the respective third and fourth cooling devices, one of the end-face portions is placed so as to oppose to an outer circumferential face side of the stator along a direction in which the axis line extends, and the other end-face portion is placed so as to oppose to an inner face portion of the frame, or to a floor surface side on which the stator is mounted, along a direction in which the axis line extends.
(5) The first and second cooling devices are separated to each other in a direction in which the axis-line extends, and also the third and fourth cooling devices are separated to each other in a direction in which the axis-line extends.
(6) The first through fourth cooling devices are individually provided with the basic configuration of the cooling device of the rotating electric machine according to the present invention described referring toFIG. 1(b).
(7) The frame is formed in a rectangular box shape.

Next, the explanation will be made for a rotating electric machine according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention.

FIG. 14(a)andFIG. 14(b)are configuration diagrams illustrating a rotating electric machine according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention;FIG. 14(a)is the configuration diagram illustrating it by a longitudinal section, andFIG. 14(b)is the configuration diagram illustrating it by a cross section. InFIG. 14(a)andFIG. 14(b), the frame1that accommodates the rotor2and the stator4is formed in a rectangular box shape. The first cooling fluid duct1ais placed, in an axis-line direction of the stator4, in an upper portion of the frame1and on one end portion side thereof. The second cooling fluid duct1bis placed, having an independent configuration with respect to the first cooling fluid duct1a, in the upper portion of the frame1and on the other end portion side thereof in an axis-line direction of the stator4. The internal spaces701and702of the respective first and second cooling fluid ducts1aand1bindividually communicate with the internal space7of the frame1.

A third cooling fluid duct1cis placed, in an axis-line direction of the stator4, in a lower portion of the frame1and on one end portion side thereof. The fourth cooling fluid duct1dis placed, having an independent configuration with respect to the third cooling fluid duct1c, in the lower portion of the frame1and on the other end portion side thereof in an axis-line direction of the stator4. The internal spaces703and704of the respective third and fourth cooling fluid ducts1cand1dindividually communicate with the internal space7of the frame1.

The first cooling device10a1is placed within the first cooling fluid duct1a, and placed tilting with respect to the axis line X of the stator4. The second cooling device10a2is placed within the second cooling fluid duct1b, and placed tilting with respect to the axis line X of the stator4. The tilting directions of the first and second cooling devices10a1and10a2are reversed to each other.

The first cooling device10a1includes the first end-face portion101through which the cooling fluid from the internal space701of the first cooling fluid duct1aflows into the cooling device, and the second end-face portion102from which the cooling fluid that has been cooled is outflowed into the internal space701of the first cooling fluid duct1a. The first end-face portion101and the second end-face portion102are placed in parallel with each other. The first end-face portion101is placed tilting with respect to an inflow direction11of the cooling fluid. In other words, the first end-face portion is placed tilting with respect to a first orthogonal surface S1 (“S1” inFIG. 1(b)) which is perpendicular to the inflow direction11of the cooling fluid. In addition, second end-face portion102of the first cooling device10a1is placed tilting with respect to an outflow direction12of the cooling fluid. In other words, the second end-face portion is placed tilting with respect to a second orthogonal surface S2 (“S2” inFIG. 1(b)) which is perpendicular to the outflow direction12of the cooling fluid. An end-edge(s) of the first cooling device10a1contacts with an inner face portion(s) of the first cooling fluid duct1a. Moreover, the first and second end-face portions101and102of the first cooling device10a1are placed tilting with respect to a minimum-width's direction DW of a flow path which is the internal space701formed in vicinity to the cooling device of the first cooling fluid duct1a.

The first end-face portion101of the first cooling device10a1described above opposes to an inner face portion of the first cooling fluid duct1aalong a direction in which the axis line X of the stator4extends, and the second end-face portion102opposes to an outer circumferential face side of the stator4along a direction in which the axis line X of the stator4extends.

The second cooling device10a2includes the first end-face portion101through which the cooling fluid from the internal space702of the second cooling fluid duct1bflows into the cooling device, and the second end-face portion102from which the cooling fluid that has been cooled is outflowed into the internal space702of the second cooling fluid duct1b. The first end-face portion101and the second end-face portion102are placed in parallel with each other. The first end-face portion101is placed tilting with respect to a first orthogonal surface S1 (“S1” inFIG. 1(b)) which is perpendicular to the inflow direction11of the cooling fluid. In addition, the second end-face portion102of the second cooling device10a2is placed tilting with respect to a second orthogonal surface S2 (“S2” inFIG. 1(b)) which is perpendicular to the outflow direction12of the cooling fluid. An end-edge(s) of the second cooling device10a2contacts with an inner face portion(s) of the second cooling fluid duct1b. Moreover, the first and second end-face portions101and102of the second cooling device10a2are placed tilting with respect to a minimum-width's direction DW of a flow path which is the internal space702formed in vicinity to the cooling device of the second cooling fluid duct1b.

The first end-face portion101of the second cooling device10a2described above opposes to an inner face portion of the second cooling fluid duct1balong a direction in which the axis line X of the stator4extends, and the second end-face portion102opposes to the outer circumferential face side of the stator4along a direction in which the axis line X of the stator4extends.

The third cooling device10b1is placed within the third cooling fluid duct1c, and placed tilting with respect to the axis line X of the stator4. The fourth cooling device10b2is placed within the fourth cooling fluid duct1d, and placed tilting with respect to the axis line X of the stator4. The tilting directions of the third and fourth cooling devices10b1and10b2are reversed to each other.

The third cooling device10b1includes the first end-face portion101through which the cooling fluid from the internal space703of the third cooling fluid duct1cflows into the cooling device, and the second end-face portion102from which the cooling fluid that has been cooled is outflowed into the internal space703of the third cooling fluid duct1c. The first end-face portion101and the second end-face portion102are placed in parallel with each other. The first end-face portion101is placed tilting with respect to a first orthogonal surface S1 (“S1” inFIG. 1(b)) which is perpendicular to the inflow direction11of the cooling fluid. In addition, the second end-face portion102of the third cooling device10b1is placed tilting with respect to a second orthogonal surface S2 (“S2” inFIG. 1(b)) which is perpendicular to the outflow direction12of the cooling fluid. An end-edge(s) of the third cooling device10b1contacts with an inner face portion(s) of the third cooling fluid duct1c. Moreover, the first and second end-face portions101and102of the third cooling device10b1are placed tilting with respect to a minimum-width's direction DW of a flow path which is the internal space703formed in vicinity to the cooling device of the third cooling fluid duct1c.

The first end-face portion101of the third cooling device10b1described above opposes to an inner face portion of the third cooling fluid duct1calong a direction in which the axis line X of the stator4extends, and the second end-face portion102opposes to the outer circumferential face side of the stator4along a direction in which the axis line X of the stator4extends.

The fourth cooling device10b2includes the first end-face portion101through which the cooling fluid from the internal space704of the fourth cooling fluid duct1dflows into the cooling device, and the second end-face portion102from which the cooling fluid that has been cooled is outflowed into the internal space704of the fourth cooling fluid duct1d. The first end-face portion101and the second end-face portion102are placed in parallel with each other. The first end-face portion101is placed tilting with respect to a first orthogonal surface S1 (“S1” inFIG. 1(b)) which is perpendicular to the inflow direction11of the cooling fluid. In addition, the second end-face portion102of the fourth cooling device10b2is placed tilting with respect to a second orthogonal surface S2 (“S2” inFIG. 1(b)) which is perpendicular to the outflow direction12of the cooling fluid. An end-edge(s) of the fourth cooling device10b2contacts with an inner face portion(s) of the fourth cooling fluid duct1d. Moreover, the first and second end-face portions101and102of the fourth cooling device10b2are placed tilting with respect to a minimum-width's direction DW of a flow path which is the internal space704formed in vicinity to the cooling device of the fourth cooling fluid duct1d.

The first end-face portion101of the fourth cooling device10b2described above opposes to an inner face portion of the fourth cooling fluid duct1dalong a direction in which the axis line X of the stator4extends, and the second end-face portion102opposes to the outer circumferential face side of the stator4along a direction in which the axis line X of the stator4extends.

The first through fourth cooling devices10a1,10a2,10b1and10b2each include a plurality of cooling pipes (corresponding to the cooling pipes107inFIG. 1(b)) which extend along the respective first end-face portion101and second end-face portion102, connecting therebetween; however, these configurations and other constituent items are equivalent or similar to those shown inFIG. 1(b), andFIG. 18(a)andFIG. 18(b)described above.

In the rotating electric machine configured as described above according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention, a low-temperature cooling fluid cooled by the first through fourth cooling devices10a1,10a2,10b1and10b2flows from the first through fourth cooling fluid ducts1a,1b,1cand1dinto the internal space7of the frame1, and moreover, arrives at the gap6by way of the stator ducts (not shown in the figures) of the stator4. And then, a cooling fluid flows, under suction by cooling fans (not shown in the figures) from both end portions of the rotor2and stator4in axial directions thereof, from the internal space7of the frame1into the internal spaces701,702,703and704of the first through fourth cooling fluid ducts1a,1b,1cand1d, respectively, and flows through the first end-face portion101of each of the cooling devices10a1,10a2,10b1and10b2into the interiors of respective cooling devices so as to be cooled by the aforementioned cooling pipes. By the cooling fluid that circulates as described above, the rotor2, the stator4and the stator winding(s)5are cooled.

Note that, the circulating direction of the cooling fluid may be adopted so that those directions indicated by the arrows inFIG. 14(a)andFIG. 14(b)are reversed. In this case, the placement of the first end-face portion101and the second end-face portion102in each of the first through fourth cooling devices10a1,10a2,10b1and10b2takes a reversed placement with respect to that shown inFIG. 14(a)andFIG. 14(b), and also directions in which the cooling fluid is transported under pressure by means of the cooling fans are in reversed relation to those described above.

FIG. 15is an illustrative configuration diagram for explaining the rotating electric machine according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention, in contrast to a conventional rotating electric machine whose cooling devices are placed as shown inFIG. 1(a); part (a) ofFIG. 15shows the conventional rotating electric machine, and part (b) ofFIG. 15, the rotating electric machine according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention. In comparison with the conventional rotating electric machine shown in part (a) ofFIG. 15, the rotating electric machine shown in part (b) ofFIG. 15according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention is configured to place the cooling devices as described above, so that sizes of the cooling devices can be made smaller than those in conventional cases as indicated by the broken lines, and as a result, it is possible to obtain a rotating electric machine that includes the cooling devices having high heat exchange performance without increasing the outer dimensions of the cooling fluid ducts1a,1b,1cand1d.

As described above, the rotating electric machine according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention includes the following features.

(1) There included are a first cooling fluid duct placed, in an axis-line direction of a stator, in an upper portion of a frame and on one end portion side thereof; a second cooling fluid duct placed, being independent of the first cooling fluid duct in an axis-line direction of the stator, in the upper portion of the frame and on the other end portion side thereof; a third cooling fluid duct placed, in an axis-line direction of the stator, in a lower portion of the frame and on one end portion side thereof; and a fourth cooling fluid duct placed, being independent of the third cooling fluid duct in an axis-line direction of the stator, in the lower portion of the frame and on the other end portion side thereof.
(2) There included are a first cooling device placed in an internal space of the first cooling fluid duct, a second cooling device placed in an internal space of the second cooling fluid duct, a third cooling device placed in an internal space of the third cooling fluid duct, and a fourth cooling device placed in an internal space of the fourth cooling fluid duct; and these cooling devices are placed tilting so that their end portion sides in an axis-line direction of the stator take the nearest positions to the stator.
(3) Between a first end-face portion and a second end-face portion of the respective first and second cooling devices, one of the end-face portions is placed so as to oppose to an outer circumferential face side of the stator along a direction in which the axis line extends, and the other end-face portion is placed so as to oppose to an inner face portion of the frame along a direction in which the axis line extends.
(4) Between a first end-face portion and a second end-face portion of the respective third and fourth cooling devices, one of the end-face portions is placed so as to oppose to an outer circumferential face side of the stator along a direction in which the axis line extends, and the other end-face portion is placed so as to oppose to an inner face portion of the frame, or to a floor surface side on which the stator is mounted, along a direction in which the axis line extends.
(5) The first through fourth cooling devices are individually provided with the basic configuration of the cooling device of the rotating electric machine according to the present invention described referring toFIG. 1(b).
(6) The frame is formed in a rectangular box shape.

Next, the explanation will be made for a rotating electric machine according to Embodiment 8 of the present invention.

FIG. 16(a)andFIG. 16(b)are configuration diagrams illustrating a rotating electric machine according to Embodiment 8 of the present invention;FIG. 16(a)is the configuration diagram illustrating it by a longitudinal section, andFIG. 16(b)is the configuration diagram illustrating it by a cross section. InFIG. 16(a)andFIG. 16(b), the frame1that accommodates the rotor2and the stator4is formed in a rectangular box shape. The first cooling fluid duct1ais placed, in an axis-line direction of the stator4, in an upper portion of the frame1and on one end portion side thereof. The second cooling fluid duct1bis placed, having an independent configuration with respect to the first cooling fluid duct1a, in the upper portion of the frame1and on the other end portion side thereof in an axis-line direction of the stator4. The internal spaces701and702of the respective first and second cooling fluid ducts1aand1bindividually communicate with the internal space7of the frame1.

The third cooling fluid duct1cis placed, in an axis-line direction of the stator4, in a lower portion of the frame1and on one end portion side thereof. The fourth cooling fluid duct1dis placed, having an independent configuration with respect to the third cooling fluid duct1c, in the lower portion of the frame1and on the other end portion side thereof in an axis-line direction of the stator4. The internal spaces703and704of the respective third and fourth cooling fluid ducts1cand1dindividually communicate with the internal space7of the frame1.

The first cooling device10a1is placed within the first cooling fluid duct1a, and placed tilting with respect to the axis line X of the stator4. The second cooling device10a2is placed within the second cooling fluid duct1b, and placed tilting with respect to the axis line X of the stator4. The tilting directions of the first and second cooling devices10a1and10a2are reversed to each other.

The first cooling device10a1includes the first end-face portion101through which the cooling fluid from the internal space701of the first cooling fluid duct1aflows into the cooling device, and the second end-face portion102from which the cooling fluid that has been cooled is outflowed into the internal space701of the first cooling fluid duct1a. The first end-face portion101and the second end-face portion102are placed in parallel with each other. The first end-face portion101is placed tilting with respect to an inflow direction11of the cooling fluid. In other words, the first end-face portion is placed tilting with respect to a first orthogonal surface S1 (“S1” inFIG. 1(b)) which is perpendicular to the inflow direction11of the cooling fluid. In addition, the second end-face portion102of the first cooling device10a1is placed tilting with respect to an outflow direction12of the cooling fluid. In other words, the second end-face portion is placed tilting with respect to a second orthogonal surface S2 (“S2” inFIG. 1(b)) which is perpendicular to the outflow direction12of the cooling fluid. An end-edge(s) of the first cooling device10a1contacts with an inner face portion(s) of the first cooling fluid duct1a. Moreover, the first and second end-face portions101and102of the first cooling device10a1are placed tilting with respect to a minimum-width's direction DW of a flow path which is the internal space701formed in vicinity to the cooling device of the first cooling fluid duct1a.

The first end-face portion101of the first cooling device10a1described above opposes to an outer circumferential face side of the stator4along a direction in which the axis line X of the stator4extends, and the second end-face portion102opposes to an inner face portion of the first cooling fluid duct1aalong a direction in which the axis line X of the stator4extends.

The second cooling device10a2includes the first end-face portion101through which the cooling fluid from the internal space702of the second cooling fluid duct1bflows into the cooling device, and the second end-face portion102from which the cooling fluid that has been cooled is outflowed into the internal space702of the second cooling fluid duct1b. The first end-face portion101and the second end-face portion102are placed in parallel with each other. The first end-face portion101is placed tilting with respect to an inflow direction11of the cooling fluid. In other words, the first end-face portion is placed tilting with respect to a first orthogonal surface S1 (“S1” inFIG. 1(b)) which is perpendicular to the inflow direction11of the cooling fluid. In addition, the second end-face portion102of the second cooling device10a2is placed tilting with respect to an outflow direction12of the cooling fluid. In other words, the second end-face portion is placed tilting with respect to a second orthogonal surface S2 (“S2” inFIG. 1(b)) which is perpendicular to the outflow direction12of the cooling fluid. An end-edge(s) of the second cooling device10a2contacts with an inner face portion(s) of the second cooling fluid duct1b. Moreover, the first and second end-face portions101and102of the second cooling device10a2are placed tilting with respect to a minimum-width's direction DW of a flow path which is the internal space702formed in vicinity to the cooling device of the second cooling fluid duct1b.

The first end-face portion101of the second cooling device10a2described above opposes to the outer circumferential face side of the stator4along a direction in which the axis line X of the stator4extends, and the second end-face portion102opposes to an inner face portion of the second cooling fluid duct1balong a direction in which the axis line X of the stator4extends.

The third cooling device10b1is placed within the third cooling fluid duct1c, and placed tilting with respect to the axis line X of the stator4. The fourth cooling device10b2is placed within the fourth cooling fluid duct1d, and placed tilting with respect to the axis line X of the stator4. The tilting directions of the third and fourth cooling devices10b1and10b2are reversed to each other.

The third cooling device10b1includes the first end-face portion101through which the cooling fluid from the internal space703of the third cooling fluid duct1cflows into the cooling device, and the second end-face portion102from which the cooling fluid that has been cooled is outflowed into the internal space703of the third cooling fluid duct1c. The first end-face portion101and the second end-face portion102are placed in parallel with each other. The first end-face portion101is placed tilting with respect to an inflow direction11of the cooling fluid. In other words, the first end-face portion is placed tilting with respect to a first orthogonal surface S1 (“S1” inFIG. 1(b)) which is perpendicular to the inflow direction11of the cooling fluid. In addition, the second end-face portion102of the third cooling device10b1is placed tilting with respect to an outflow direction12of the cooling fluid. In other words, the second end-face portion is placed tilting with respect to a second orthogonal surface S2 (“S2” inFIG. 1(b)) which is perpendicular to the outflow direction12of the cooling fluid. An end-edge(s) of the third cooling device10b1contacts with an inner face portion(s) of the third cooling fluid duct1c. Moreover, the first and second end-face portions101and102of the third cooling device10b1are placed tilting with respect to a minimum-width's direction DW of a flow path which is the internal space703formed in vicinity to the cooling device of the third cooling fluid duct1c.

The first end-face portion101of the third cooling device10b1described above opposes to the outer circumferential face side of the stator4along a direction in which the axis line X of the stator4extends, and the second end-face portion102opposes to an inner face portion of the third cooling fluid duct1calong a direction in which the axis line X of the stator4extends.

The fourth cooling device10b2includes the first end-face portion101through which the cooling fluid from the internal space704of the fourth cooling fluid duct1dflows into the cooling device, and the second end-face portion102from which the cooling fluid that has been cooled is outflowed into the internal space704of the fourth cooling fluid duct1d. The first end-face portion101and the second end-face portion102are placed in parallel with each other. The first end-face portion101is placed tilting with respect to an inflow direction11of the cooling fluid. In other words, the first end-face portion is placed tilting with respect to a first orthogonal surface S1 (“S1” inFIG. 1(b)) which is perpendicular to the inflow direction11of the cooling fluid. In addition, the second end-face portion102of the fourth cooling device10b2is placed tilting with respect to an outflow direction12of the cooling fluid. In other words, the second end-face portion is placed tilting with respect to a second orthogonal surface S2 (“S2” inFIG. 1(b)) which is perpendicular to the outflow direction12of the cooling fluid. An end-edge(s) of the fourth cooling device10b2contacts with an inner face portion(s) of the fourth cooling fluid duct1d. Moreover, the first and second end-face portions101and102of the fourth cooling device10b2are placed tilting with respect to a minimum-width's direction DW of a flow path which is the internal space704formed in vicinity to the cooling device of the fourth cooling fluid duct1d.

The first end-face portion101of the fourth cooling device10b2described above opposes to the outer circumferential face side of the stator4along a direction in which the axis line X of the stator4extends, and the second end-face portion102opposes to an inner face portion of the fourth cooling fluid duct1dalong a direction in which the axis line X of the stator4extends.

The first through fourth cooling devices10a1,10a2,10b1and10b2each include a plurality of cooling pipes (corresponding to the cooling pipes107inFIG. 1(b)) which extend along the respective first end-face portion101and second end-face portion102, connecting therebetween; however, these configurations and other constituent items are equivalent or similar to those shown inFIG. 1(b), andFIG. 18(a)andFIG. 18(b)described above.

In the rotating electric machine configured as described above according to Embodiment 8 of the present invention, a low-temperature cooling fluid cooled by the first through fourth cooling devices10a1,10a2,10b1and10b2flows from the first through fourth cooling fluid ducts1a,1b,1cand1dinto the internal space7of the frame1, and moreover, arrives at the gap6by way of the stator ducts (not shown in the figures) of the stator4. And then, a cooling fluid flows, under suction by cooling fans (not shown in the figures) from both end portions of the rotor2and stator4in axial directions thereof, from the internal space7of the frame1into the internal spaces701,702,703and704of the first through fourth cooling fluid ducts1a,1b,1cand1d, respectively, and flows through the first end-face portion101of each of the cooling devices10a1,10a2,10b1and10b2into the interiors of respective cooling devices so as to be cooled by the aforementioned cooling pipes. By the cooling fluid that circulates as described above, the rotor2, the stator4and the stator winding(s)5are cooled.

Note that, the circulating direction of the cooling fluid may be adopted so that those directions indicated by the arrows inFIG. 16(a)andFIG. 16(b)are reversed. In this case, the placement of the first end-face portion101and the second end-face portion102in each of the first through fourth cooling devices10a1,10a2,10b1and10b2takes a reversed placement with respect to that shown inFIG. 16(a)andFIG. 16(b), and also directions in which the cooling fluid is transported under pressure by means of the cooling fans are in reversed relation to those described above.

FIG. 17is an illustrative configuration diagram for explaining the rotating electric machine according to Embodiment 8 of the present invention, in contrast to a conventional rotating electric machine whose cooling devices are placed as shown inFIG. 1(a); part (a) ofFIG. 17shows the conventional rotating electric machine, and part (b) ofFIG. 17, the rotating electric machine according to Embodiment 8 of the present invention. In comparison with the conventional rotating electric machine shown in part (a) ofFIG. 17, the rotating electric machine shown in part (b) ofFIG. 17according to Embodiment 8 of the present invention is configured to place the cooling devices as described above, so that sizes of the cooling devices can be made smaller than those in conventional cases as indicated by the broken lines, and as a result, it is possible to obtain a rotating electric machine that includes the cooling devices having high heat exchange performance without increasing the outer dimensions of the cooling fluid ducts1a,1b,1cand1d.

As described above, the rotating electric machine according to Embodiment 8 of the present invention includes the following features.

(1) There included are a first cooling fluid duct placed, in an axis-line direction of a stator, in an upper portion of a frame and on one end portion side thereof; a second cooling fluid duct placed, being independent of the first cooling fluid duct in an axis-line direction of the stator, in the upper portion of the frame and on the other end portion side thereof; a third cooling fluid duct placed, in an axis-line direction of the stator, in a lower portion of the frame and on one end portion side thereof; and a fourth cooling fluid duct placed, being independent of the third cooling fluid duct in an axis-line direction of the stator, in the lower portion of the frame and on the other end portion side thereof.
(2) There included are a first cooling device placed in an internal space of the first cooling fluid duct, a second cooling device placed in an internal space of the second cooling fluid duct, a third cooling device placed in an internal space of the third cooling fluid duct, and a fourth cooling device placed in an internal space of the fourth cooling fluid duct; and these cooling devices are placed tilting so that their end portion sides in an axis-line direction of the stator take the most distant positions from the stator.
(3) Between a first end-face portion and a second end-face portion of the respective first and second cooling devices, one of the end-face portions is placed so as to oppose to an outer circumferential face side of the stator along a direction in which the axis line extends, and the other end-face portion is placed so as to oppose to an inner face portion of the frame along a direction in which the axis line extends.
(4) Between a first end-face portion and a second end-face portion of the respective third and fourth cooling devices, one of the end-face portions is placed so as to oppose to an outer circumferential face side of the stator along a direction in which the axis line extends, and the other end-face portion is placed so as to oppose to an inner face portion of the frame, or to a floor surface side on which the stator is mounted, along a direction in which the axis line extends.
(5) The first through fourth cooling devices are individually provided with the basic configuration of the cooling device of the rotating electric machine according to the present invention described referring toFIG. 1(b).
(6) The frame is formed in a rectangular box shape.

Note that, in each of the embodiments described above, it may be possible that the cooling fluid sealed within the frame is a hydrogen gas; however the fluid is not limited to it, and another cooling fluid may be adopted. In addition, the frame is not limited to the cylindrical shape or box shape as described above, but other shapes may be adopted.

Moreover, in the present invention, each of the embodiments can be freely combined, appropriately modified and/or eliminated without departing from the scope of the invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The rotating electric machine according to the present invention can be utilized in a field of rotating electric machines such as motors and generators, and particularly in the field of large-size rotating electric machine(s) installed on a floor surface.

EXPLANATION OF NUMERALS AND SYMBOLS