Abstract:
A cooling system for an electrically variable transmission includes an electric motor having a plurality of connectors. The plurality of connectors are each assembled within a plurality of connector openings in a terminal block. Fluid from within a passageway is supplied by a pressurized fluid source, and an orifice for the passageway is located adjacent to one of the plurality of connector opening. The fluid flowing from the passageway is directed onto one of the plurality of connectors.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates, generally, to an electric motor for a hybrid transmission, and more specifically, to cooling the electric motor. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Hybrid transmissions have electric motor/generators located within the transmission housing. The electric motor/generator includes a stator and a rotor mounted on a shaft and rotatable relative to the stator. In order to ensure optimal performance and reliability, the motor/generators typically have an internal cooling arrangement. 
     In addition, the stators have stator windings which lead to connectors for the motor. The connectors are secured to a terminal block. Due the amount of electrical energy passing through the connectors and the terminal block, heat is generated. However, the internal cooling arrangement of the transmission does not directly contact the connectors and the terminal block. To assist in cooling the connectors and the terminal block, oil splash is usually directed at the terminal block. However, the oil splash does not reach the connectors, which are generating the heat. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A cooling system for an electrically variable transmission is provided. The cooling system includes a first electric motor having a first plurality of connectors. A first terminal block defines a first plurality of connector openings. The first plurality of connectors are each assembled within a respective one of the first plurality of connector openings. A first passageway defines a first orifice. Fluid from within the first passageway is supplied by a first pressurized fluid source, and the first orifice is located adjacent to one of the connector openings. The fluid flowing from the first passageway is directed onto one of the connectors. 
     A method for cooling an electric motor within an electrically variable transmission includes providing a first passageway fluidly connected to a first pressurized fluid source. The first pressurized fluid source is a first transmission component that is connected to a main transmission cooling system. Fluid from within the first passageway is directed onto a first plurality of connectors for a first electric motor. 
     A method for cooling a plurality of electric motors includes providing a first passageway fluidly connected to a first pressurized fluid source and providing a second passageway fluidly connected to a second pressurized fluid source. Fluid from within the first passageway is directed onto a first plurality of connectors for a first electric motor and fluid from within the second passageway is directed onto a second plurality of connectors for a second electric motor. 
     The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best modes for carrying out the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of a partial perspective view of a first motor/generator for a hybrid transmission having a connector and terminal block cooling system; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic illustration of a side view of a first motor/generator illustrating a connector, terminal block and cooling dispenser for the cooling system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic illustration of a top view of the first motor/generator illustrating the connector, terminal block and the cooling dispenser for the cooling system of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic illustration of a top view of a second motor/generator illustrating a connector, terminal block and cooling dispenser for the cooling system of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic illustration of a side view of the second motor/generator illustrating the connector, terminal block and the cooling dispenser for the cooling system of  FIGS. 1 and 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic illustration of a perspective view of the first motor/generator illustrating the connector, terminal block and cooling dispenser for the cooling system of  FIGS. 1 ,  4  and  5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic illustration of a front view of a terminal block for the first and second motor/generators illustrating the cooling system of  FIGS. 1-6 ; and 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic illustration is a perspective side view of a terminal block for the first and second motor/generators illustrating the cooling system of  FIGS. 1-7 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to the Figures, wherein like reference numbers refer to the same or similar components throughout the several views,  FIGS. 1-3  illustrate a first motor/generator  10  for a transmission  12 . The motor/generator  10  has a stator  14  with stator windings  16 . The stator winding  16  lead to connectors  18 . The connectors  18  are assembled within the terminal block  20 . The terminal block  20  is typically made from synthetic material and formed with a plurality of connector openings  22  for receiving each of the connectors  18 . 
     In the embodiment shown the first motor/generator  10  is located adjacent to a clutch housing  24  for one of the transmission  12  clutches. A first passageway  26  is formed in the clutch housing. The first passageway  26  defines a first orifice  28  which is located next to one of the plurality of connector openings  22  formed in the terminal block  20 . The opposing end of the first passageway  26  is connected to an oil source (not shown). For example, the oil source may be an oil passage in the clutch housing  24 . The oil is from a pressurized source such that oil is sprayed from the first passageway  26  directly onto one of the plurality of connectors  18 . A valve or other type of restrictor (not shown) may control the amount of oil flowing through the first passageway  26 . Terminal block passageways  30  (Shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 ) assist in distributing the oil around the plurality of connectors  18  and the terminal block  20 . Some of the oil may reach the stator windings  16  and cool them as well. After cooling the plurality of connectors  18  and the terminal block  20 , the oil drains to a sump portion of the transmission  12 . Directly spraying the oil onto the plurality of connectors  18  provides for faster and more effective cooling. 
       FIGS. 4-6  illustrate a second motor/generator  110  for the transmission  12 . The motor/generator  110  has a stator  114  with stator windings  116 . The stator windings  116  lead to connectors  118 . The connectors  118  are assembled within the terminal block  120 . The terminal block  120  is typically made from synthetic material and formed with a plurality of connector openings  122  for receiving each of the connectors  118 . 
     In the embodiment shown the second motor/generator  110  is located adjacent to a main pump  32  for one of the transmission  12 . A second passageway  126  is formed in the main pump  32 . The second passageway  126  defines a second orifice  128  which is located next one of the plurality of connector openings  122  formed in the terminal block  120 . The opposing end of the second passageway  126  is connected to an oil source (not shown). For example, the oil source may be a oil passage in the main pump  32 , or an oil passage exiting the from the main pump  32 . The oil is from a pressurized source such that oil is sprayed from the second passageway  126  directly onto one of the plurality of connectors  118 . A valve or other type of restrictor (not shown) may control the amount of oil flowing through the second passageway  126 . Terminal block passageways  130  (Shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 ) assist in distributing the oil around the plurality of connectors  118  and the terminal block  120 . Some of the oil may reach the stator windings  16  and cool them as well. After cooling the plurality of connectors  118  and the terminal block  120 , the oil drains to a sump portion of the transmission  112 . Directly spraying the oil onto the plurality of connectors  118  provides for faster and more effective cooling. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-6 , the first passageway  26  and the second passageway  126  may be formed in any component of the transmission  12  that is adjacent to the first motor/generator  26  and the second motor/generator  126 . The direction of oil spray from the first orifice  28  or the second orifice  128  is not of significance. However, the distance between the first orifice  28  or the second orifice  128  and the plurality of connectors  18 ,  118  is determined to achieve the maximum amount of oil spray and distribution over the plurality of connectors  18 ,  118  and the terminal blocks  20 ,  120 . One skilled in the art would know the optimal locations for the first passageway  26 , the first orifice  28  and the second passageway  126  and second orifice  128 . As shown, the first passageway  26  and the second passageway  128  may lead from different oil sources. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , enlarged portions of the terminal block  20 ,  120  are shown. The terminal block  20 ,  120  defines terminal block passageways  30  that allow the oil to flow through the terminal block  20 ,  120 . The recessed areas  34  are formed in the terminal block  20 ,  120  to allow oil flow around the plurality of connectors  18 ,  118  (shown in  FIGS. 2-5 ). The terminal block passageways  30  may also between the recessed areas  34  to assist in oil flow around the plurality of connectors  18 ,  118 . Providing the oil from a pressurized oil source and gravity both assist in distributing the oil through the terminal block  20 ,  120  and around the plurality of connectors  18 ,  118 . The oil drains from the bottom  36  of the recessed areas  34  to a sump of the transmission  12 . Directly spraying the oil onto the plurality of connectors  18 ,  118  provides for faster and more effective cooling. In addition, the terminal block passageways  30  allow for cooling throughout the terminal block  20 ,  120  rather then relying on oil splash on the exterior of the terminal block  20 ,  120   
     While the best modes for carrying out the invention have been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which this invention relates will recognize various alternative designs and embodiments for practicing the invention within the scope of the appended claims.