Abstract:
A terminal block holder is provided for securing a terminal block assembly having at least three conductive bus bars enclosed within corresponding individual insulating columns passing through a housing of an electric machine, the terminal block holder including a plate defining at least three openings therein, and including first and second dividers extending from the plate and respectively separating different adjacent ones of the openings, where the plate is adapted to abut the terminal block assembly in a first direction, where the plate is adapted to abut the housing in a second direction, where the dividers are adapted to abut the terminal block assembly in a third direction, and where the first, second and third directions are substantially perpendicular to one another.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to structural integrity of electrical connection portions of electric machines and, more particularly, to apparatus and methods for securely holding a terminal block of an electric machine in place. 
         [0002]    The stator assembly of an electric machine may be formed by installation of coils of conductor wire into a stator core. For example, the stator assembly of a vehicular electric or hybrid motor and/or generator may be manufactured by populating the stator core with individual hairpin conductor segments in a distributed arrangement, by concentrated windings, by use of permanent magnets, or by other appropriate structure. The ends of the assembled coils may be extended from the stator and terminated at a terminal block for subsequent connection to an electrical power system, for example an inverter of an electric vehicle. 
         [0003]    Conventional electric machines may include a terminal block attached to a housing, or attached to an ancillary structure such as an intermediate assembly within such housing, by using fasteners. However, in many applications, the electric machine is subjected to prolonged vibration that can cause the terminal block to become dislodged when such fasteners become weak or loose. When using fasteners, there is a need to stock and install small parts and to provide fastening portions in the housing. Such fastening parts may be accidently dropped into the electric machine during assembly. Bolts and nuts may require that their own insulating material and access space be provided. 
         [0004]    In many applications, foreign objects may come into contact with a terminal block portion and move the terminal block from its nominal position. Vibration may be transmitted to the terminal block through power cables connected thereto. In addition to vibration, the terminal block portion may be subjected to servicing and repair operations that may move and/or damage it. Dirt and debris may become lodged in the terminal block area over time and may act to wedge the terminal block away from a seated position. Heat and other environmental conditions may act to degrade terminal block materials and seals, such as by altering their shape. Any combination of these factors may occur and may have a cumulative effect, whereby a terminal block may become dislodged from the electric machine. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    It is therefore desirable to obviate the above-mentioned disadvantages by providing a terminal block holder for preventing terminal blocks in an electric machine from becoming dislodged as a result of internal and/or external forces being exerted on the machine. Reducing the movement of a terminal block in a given electric machine reduces associated failures and thereby increases the life of the electric machine. Embodiments of a terminal block holder may be fabricated by a simple operation. The terminal block holder may be utilized for locking and retaining one or more terminal blocks by preventing movement in each of the x, y, and z axes, for electrically insulating the terminals from one another and from contact with surrounding metal surfaces, such as the interior surfaces of the electric machine, and for maintaining a sealing structure for preventing unwanted dirt and debris from entering the electric machine and associated electrical power connections. The terminal block holder may also be optimized for use in an air-cooled electric machine, an oil-cooled electric machine, and a water-cooled electric machine. It is also advantageous to provide a method and structure for securing a terminal block by a modular system that may be easily adapted for electric machines of various sizes and shapes. It is also advantageous to provide a method and structure that improves reliability and integrity of electrical power connections of an electrical machine subjected to high levels of vibration and other environmental stress. The particular configuration and placement of the apparatus within an electric machine assures that three-dimensional structural engagement of the apparatus secures the terminal block(s) in place without a need for additional features or fasteners. 
         [0006]    In one embodiment, a terminal block holder is provided for securing a terminal block assembly having at least three conductive bus bars enclosed within corresponding individual insulating columns passing through a housing of an electric machine, the terminal block holder including a plate defining at least three openings therein, and including first and second dividers extending from the plate and respectively separating different adjacent ones of the openings, where the plate is adapted to abut the terminal block assembly in a first direction, where the plate is adapted to abut the housing in a second direction, where the dividers are adapted to abut the terminal block assembly in a third direction, and where the first, second and third directions are substantially perpendicular to one another. 
         [0007]    In another embodiment, an electrical termination system includes a housing of an electric machine having a plurality of individual passages connecting interior and exterior sides thereof, a terminal block assembly having at least three conductive bus bars enclosed within corresponding individual insulating bodies passing through corresponding ones of the individual passages of the housing, and a terminal block holder for securing the terminal block assembly, the terminal block holder including a plate defining at least three openings therein, each opening being aligned with a respective one of the bus bars, and including first and second dividers extending from the plate and respectively separating different adjacent ones of the openings. The plate abuts the terminal block assembly in a first direction, the plate abuts the terminal block assembly or the housing in a second direction, the dividers abut the terminal block assembly in a third direction, and the first, second and third directions are substantially perpendicular to one another. 
         [0008]    In yet another embodiment, a method of securing a terminal block within a housing of an electric machine includes placing the terminal block assembly into abutment with the housing so that the terminal block assembly is positioned in close proximity to an exterior of the housing and extends through a plurality of individual passages to an interior of the housing, and placing a terminal block holder into abutment with the terminal block assembly within the housing interior, so that the terminal block holder abuts the terminal block assembly in a first direction, abuts one of the terminal block assembly and the housing in a second direction, and abuts the terminal block assembly in a third direction, where the first, second and third directions are substantially perpendicular to one another. 
         [0009]    The foregoing summary does not limit the invention, which is defined by the attached claims. Similarly, neither the Title nor the Abstract is to be taken as limiting in any way the scope of the claimed invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
         [0010]    The above-mentioned aspects of exemplary embodiments will become more apparent and will be better understood by reference to the following description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a partial perspective view of a housing of an electric machine, showing ports used for electrical power connections to the machine; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a partial perspective view showing terminal blocks, a cable entry box, an end plate, and other structure added to the housing of an electric machine of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a partial perspective view of an electrical power connection portion in the interior of an electric machine; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4A  and  FIG. 4B  are respective front and rear perspective views of a terminal block holder according to an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a partial perspective view of the terminal block holder of  FIGS. 4A-4B  installed at an electrical power connection portion in the interior of an electric machine, according to an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of an electrical power connection portion of an electric machine including the terminal block holder of  FIGS. 4A-4B , according to an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is another cross-sectional view of an electrical power connection portion of an electric machine including the terminal block holder of  FIGS. 4A-4B , according to an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a further cross-sectional view of an electrical power connection portion of an electric machine including the terminal block holder of  FIGS. 4A-4B , according to an exemplary embodiment; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 9A  and  FIG. 9B  are respective top and bottom perspective views of a terminal block holder according to an exemplary embodiment. 
       
    
    
       [0020]    Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    The embodiments described below are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may appreciate and understand the principles and practices of these teachings. 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  is a partial perspective view of an exemplary electric machine housing  1 , typically formed of aluminum, magnesium, steel, iron, and/or other suitable metal. Housing  1  may include various interior and exterior surfaces configured for supporting and/or protecting various components. For example, an electric power transfer portion  2  of housing  1  has three terminal ports  3 ,  4 ,  5  that are holes leading to the housing interior  6 . The respective holes are defined by circular openings in respective wall portions  7 ,  8 ,  9  and by enlarged keyed receptacles formed in respective wall portions  10 ,  11 ,  12 . Terminal ports  3  and  5  have respective center axes that are skewed with respect to that of terminal port  4 , so that such center axes diverge from terminal port  4  in the outward direction. A number of threaded holes  13  and an O-ring groove  15  are formed along a flat end surface  14  for subsequent installation of an end plate  19 , shown by example in  FIG. 2 . A number of threaded holes  16  and an O-ring groove  17  are formed in power transfer portion  2 , for installation of a cable entry box  18 , also shown by example in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0023]      FIG. 2  is a partial perspective view of an electric machine housing  1  having three terminal blocks  20 ,  21 ,  22  inserted into respective terminal ports  3 ,  4 ,  5 . Each terminal block  20 ,  21 ,  22  respectively has an insulating body  23 ,  24 ,  25  typically a high temperature insulating material integrally formed with and extending from a respective high voltage termination plate  26 ,  27 ,  28  at an end portion thereof. Each insulating body  23 ,  24 ,  25  encloses a respective metal conductor bar  29 ,  30 ,  31  having a respective threaded receptacle  32 ,  33 ,  34  for securing a high voltage cable terminal (not shown) thereto. Each respective high voltage termination plate  26 ,  27 ,  28  has parallel outer walls for securing the terminal in the proper orientation. Cable entry holes  35  are provided in cable entry box  18  for installing cables  36 . The terminals of the installed cables  36  are flush mounted onto respective flat conductor surfaces  38 ,  39 ,  40  of conductor bars  29 ,  30 ,  31 , such surfaces being substantially perpendicular to respective threaded receptacles  32 ,  33 ,  34  and substantially perpendicular to the respective center axes of terminal ports  3 ,  4 ,  5 . Grommets, sealant, strain relief devices, or the like (not shown) may be used for sealing holes  35  after cable installation. Cable entry box  18  is secured to housing  1  using threaded fasteners  37 . 
         [0024]    In a typical application, for example a hybrid or all-electric vehicle propulsion motor, electric power is provided by a battery bank and an inverter (not shown) to an electric machine operating as a motor. Electric power may be supplied from the electric machine when it operates as a generator, such as during engine braking. Connection cables  36  are typically 2/0 AWG or a larger size for carrying high voltage and high current. The voltage being supplied from an inverter may be 500 AC volts or more, for example as U, V and W-phase electric power. It is necessary to maximize the stability of high voltage electrical connection portions, thereby reducing electrical and mechanical noise, preventing short-circuiting, and reducing mechanical failures and weakening of the structure that may occur due to vibration from the electric machine, the cables, and from other vehicle sources, such as vibration that occurs while a vehicle is traveling on bumpy roads. Cables  36  are typically provided with a thick, durable, water-proof insulation, and the cable layout and tie-down fixation are chosen to minimize transfer and propagation of vibration. Although conventional cable fixation structure such as strain relief and cable stays may be utilized for damping the vibration and for supporting the electrical connections, it does not support terminal blocks. In some cases, cable fixation may cause tensioning on the high voltage cables and on associated connections, which may weaken the terminal blocks and weaken the attachment of the terminal blocks to a housing or other support structure. For example, an attached cable  36  may transfer a force to a terminal block that acts in one direction while the terminal block is being bounced in a different direction by a force directed to a housing on which the terminal block is mounted. 
         [0025]      FIG. 3  is a partial perspective view of the terminal block portion in interior  6  (e.g.,  FIG. 1 ) of an electric machine. The exemplary electric machine has stator windings formed as series of conductor segments  42 . The stator is thereby formed as at least three individual coils having respective coil ends  43 ,  44 ,  45 , terminated at respective ring terminals  46 ,  47 ,  48 . Installed terminal blocks  20 ,  21 ,  22  each have a generally round or oval profile extending out of interior wall  41 , and have generally flat portions where corresponding flat portions  90 ,  91 ,  92  (as best shown in  FIG. 7 ) of respective conductor bars  29 ,  30 ,  31  are exposed. The remaining portions of terminal blocks  20 ,  21 ,  22  surround metal of conductor bars  29 ,  30 ,  31  and associated fasteners, discussed below. Ring terminals  46 ,  47 ,  48  are respectively attached and secured to the flat exposed conductor portions  90 ,  91 ,  92  using bolts  49 ,  50 ,  51 . An interior ledge wall  52 , in combination with interior wall  41 , forms a terminal connection space where high voltage connections are made, for example to allow an assembler to drive bolts  49 ,  50 ,  51  without accidentally damaging the various stator wires. A gasket  53  or similar seal is placed between electric power transfer portion  2  of housing  1  and cable entry box  18 . 
         [0026]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are respective front and rear perspective views of an embodiment of a terminal block holder  54  formed as a unitary structure, for example by injection molding a resin material. Terminal block holder  54  has three semi-circular columns  55 ,  56 ,  57  each having an inside diameter slightly larger than the size of the flange  58  of bolt  49 . Columns  55 ,  56  are separated by a spacer portion  59 , and columns  56 ,  57  are separated by a spacer portion  60 . Spacer portions  59 ,  60  have respective bell-bottom lower portions  61 ,  62 . Bell-bottom portion  61  has opposite-facing side wall portions  63 ,  64 , and bell-bottom portion  62  has opposite-facing side wall portions  65 ,  66 . A spine  67  extends perpendicularly from the rear side of spacer portion  61  to thereby form a “T” shape. A spine  68  extends perpendicularly from the rear side of spacer portion  62  to thereby form a “T” shape. The respective rear edges  69 ,  70  of spines  67 ,  68  are perpendicular to a rear rib portion  71  that extends laterally to connect spines  67 ,  68  and that extends to connect columns  55 ,  56 ,  57 . Rib  71  has a bottom-facing surface  72 . The substantially widthwise body of terminal block holder  54  that includes, for example, spacer portions  59 ,  60  and rib portion  71 , may be generally referred to herein as a plate. Other configurations of a plate may be used for a particular terminal block holding application. 
         [0027]      FIGS. 5-8  show terminal block holder  54  installed to secure terminal blocks  20 ,  21 ,  22  within housing  1 .  FIG. 5  is a partial perspective view of the terminal block portion of an electric machine, with cable entry box  18  removed for illustration purposes (c.f.,  FIG. 3 ). O-rings  73 ,  74 ,  75  (e.g.,  FIG. 7 ) are placed into grooves of respective insulating bodies  23 ,  24 ,  25  and then terminal blocks  20 ,  21 ,  22  are installed through housing  1  so that insulating end portions  76 ,  77 ,  78  of respective terminal blocks  20 ,  21 ,  22  extend from interior wall  41 . Terminal block holder  54  is placed in snug abutment with interior wall  41  before, during, or after installation of terminal blocks  20 ,  21 ,  22 , whereby side wall  63  abuts lateral surface  79  of end portion  76 , side wall  64  abuts lateral surface  80  of end portion  77 , side wall  65  abuts lateral surface  81  of end portion  77 , and side wall  66  abuts lateral surface  82  of end portion  78 . The diameter of the head of each respective bolt  49 ,  50 ,  51  is slightly less than the inside diameter of corresponding column  55 ,  56 ,  57 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 6  is a representative cross-sectional side view. O-ring  73  maintains a seal that prevents contamination from entering interior  6  through terminal port  3 . Surface  72  of rib  71  rests on a face  83  of insulating body  23 . A nut  84  is provided within end portion  76  of terminal block  20 , snugly fitted into an annular hole in conductor bar  29 . Ring terminals  85 ,  86 , connected to respective coil wires  87 ,  88  of the stator, are placed to have their center openings aligned with the annular hole of conductor bar  29 , and then bolt  49  is inserted through ring terminals  85 ,  86  and through the annular conductor hole into nut  84 . When bolts  50 ,  51  have been placed through annular holes in respective conductor bars (e.g.,  FIG. 2 ) and terminal block holder  54  has been properly installed and positioned, then bolts  49 ,  50 ,  51  are tightened into the respective nuts with specified torque. Column  55  has an inside diameter slightly greater than the diameter of bolt  49 . The tightening urges surface  72  of rib  71  into snug abutment with face  83  of terminal block  20 . When all terminal connections are made and all testing has been performed, an O-ring or gasket  89  is installed into a groove  15  (e.g.,  FIG. 1 ) and then an end plate  19  (e.g.,  FIG. 2 ) is secured to housing  1 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional top view showing O-rings  73 ,  74 ,  75  that seal respective terminal blocks  20 ,  21 ,  22  to housing  1 . Conductor bars  29 ,  30 ,  31  have respective annular connection portions  90 ,  91 ,  92  formed in corresponding insulating end portions  76 ,  77 ,  78  of terminal blocks  20 ,  21 ,  22 . Each terminal block  20 ,  21 ,  22  has one or more resting surface(s)  93  that abut a corresponding engagement surface  94  of housing  1 . Gaskets (not shown) may be installed between resting surfaces  93  and engagement surfaces  94 . Rear edge  69  of spine  67  of terminal block holder  54  abuts a contacting surface  95  of interior surface  41 . Rear edge  70  of spine  68  of terminal block holder  54  abuts a contacting surface  96  of interior surface  41 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional front view of terminal block holder  54  installed in an electrical power connection portion of an electric machine. Bolt  49 , ring terminals  85 ,  86 , connection portion  90  of conductor bar  29 , and nut  84  are in electrical communication with one another and are pressed together by bolt  49  being tightened into nut  84 . Bolts  50 ,  51  are tightened in the same manner so that respective conductor connection portions  91 ,  92  are electrically connected to corresponding stator coil ends. Side wall  63  of terminal block holder  54  abuts lateral insulating surface  79  of terminal block  20 , side wall  64  abuts lateral insulating surface  80  of terminal block  21 , side wall  65  abuts lateral insulating surface  81  of terminal block  21 , and side wall  66  abuts lateral insulating surface  82  of terminal block  22 . A bottom shelf  104  is formed by recessing interior wall  41  in a direction of the exterior of housing  1 . 
         [0031]    Terminal block holder  54  thereby secures terminal blocks  20 ,  21 ,  22  in three mutually perpendicular axes. For example, the snug fit of terminal block insulating portions  23 ,  24 ,  25  with respective terminal ports  3 ,  4 ,  5  prevents movement in all directions. The abutment, for example, of edges  69 ,  70  with respective contacting surfaces  95 ,  96  of interior wall  41  (e.g.,  FIG. 7 ) secures terminal blocks  20 ,  21 ,  22  in the z-axis direction, especially when the heads of respective bolts  49 ,  50 ,  51  snugly fit inside corresponding columns  55 ,  56 ,  57  of terminal block holder  54 . Typically, an epoxy compound may be placed into columns  55 ,  56 ,  57  after assembly and testing, thereby bonding the conductor bars, ring terminals, and bolts with terminal block holder  54 , and further preventing any relative movement. The abutment of side walls  63 ,  64 ,  65 ,  66  with respective terminal block lateral surfaces  79 ,  80 ,  81 ,  82 , the integral structure of terminal block holder  54 , and the snug fit of terminal block insulating portions  23 ,  24 ,  25  with respective terminal ports  3 ,  4 ,  5  prevent movement in a x-direction. The abutment of holder surface  72  with terminal block face  83  (e.g.,  FIG. 6 ), and the bell-bottom shaped abutment of holder side walls  63 ,  64 ,  65 ,  66 , with respective terminal block lateral surfaces  79 ,  80 ,  81 ,  82  secures terminal blocks  20 ,  21 ,  22  in the y-axis direction. 
         [0032]      FIG. 9A  and  FIG. 9B  are respective top and bottom perspective views of an embodiment of a terminal block holder  97  formed as a unitary structure, for example by injection molding a resin material. Terminal block holder  97  has three circular columns  98 ,  99 ,  100  each having an inside diameter larger than the size of the flange  58  of bolt  49  (e.g.,  FIG. 3 ) and an outer boss portion that extends above top surface  109 . A first spacer  101  and a second spacer  102  each extend from the bottom surface  103 . The widths of spacers  101 ,  102  are chosen to respectively match the distance between end portion  76  and end portion  77 , and between end portion  77  and end portion  78 , thereby preventing x-axis movement between terminal blocks  20 ,  21 ,  22  when terminal block holder  97  is installed. Abutment surface  104  is shaped to match the shape of interior wall  41 , whereby abutment surface  104  is flush with interior wall  41  when terminal block holder  97  is installed, thereby preventing z-axis movement. Terminal block holder  97  may be formed so that bottom surfaces  105 ,  106  are placed in abutment with shelf  104  (e.g.,  FIG. 8 ), so that terminal block holder  97  may be consistently placed relative to a y-axis location. In particular, the distance from surfaces  105 ,  106  to abutment surface  104  may be chosen so that both abutment surface  104  and bottom surfaces  105 ,  106  are contacting housing  1  when terminal block holder  97  is installed. In addition, interior wall  41  may have a protruding portion that includes contacting surfaces  95 ,  96 , whereby spacers  101 ,  102  may be configured so that back surfaces  107 ,  108  each contact such contacting surfaces  95 ,  96  when terminal block holder  97  is installed. In such a case, terminal block holder  97  may be installed by pressing down on top surface  109  and pushing radially outward on flat surface  110 , whereby surfaces  105 ,  106  contact housing  1  in the y-axis direction, and abutment surface  104  and bottom surfaces  105 ,  106  contact housing  1  in the z-axis direction. Spacers  101 ,  102  may be formed to snugly fit respectively between lateral terminal block surfaces  79 ,  80  and between lateral terminal block surfaces  81 ,  82 , thereby securing terminal blocks  20 ,  21 ,  22  in the x-direction (see, e.g.,  FIG. 8 ). In this example, terminal block holder  97  secures terminal blocks  20 ,  21 ,  22  in all three axes. Additional structural integrity and support may be provided by annular bores (not shown) formed on an internal surface of end plate  19  (e.g.,  FIG. 2 ), such bores aligning with and retaining the bushing portions of columns  98 ,  99 ,  100 . For example, after assembly and testing of the electric machine, end plate  19  is placed on top of flat end surface  14  and aligned so that bushings  98 ,  99 ,  100  are inserted into the annular bores, thereby further restraining x-direction and y-direction movement of the terminal block portions. The substantially widthwise body of terminal block holder  97  that includes, for example, spacers  101 ,  102 , may be generally referred to herein as a plate. 
         [0033]    In an exemplary embodiment, the multiple-phase coils of a stator are installed in housing  1  and a number of terminal ports of housing  1  are filled by pressing a terminal block and associated O-ring into each port. A terminal block holder is placed into its nominal position along an inner surface of housing  1 , whereby the terminal blocks are spaced apart from one another and supported against relative movement in the x-direction. The interior portions of the terminal blocks each have an exposed metal connection portion that is brought into electrical communication with end(s) of respective ones of the stator coils, according to the chosen wiring diagram. For example, a given stator may be structured as three-phase, six-phase, Wye, Delta, or other configuration including, but not limited to multiple taps of a coil, neutral connection(s), connection to external components, and others. The various electrical connections are made to corresponding ones of the exposed terminal block metal surfaces such as by use of ring terminals. The terminal block holder and individual terminal blocks are then seated in their nominal locations and the fasteners of the terminal blocks are tightened, thereby locking the terminal block holder and terminal blocks together so that they are secured within housing  1 . The terminal block holder is not attached to housing  1 , to any of the terminal blocks, or to any of the coil wires, whereby slight adjustments of relative positions during manufacturing allow for proper alignment of the various components. In various embodiments, the terminal block holder is installed prior to, during, or after the installation of individual terminals blocks. 
         [0034]    Housing  1  may have external cooling fins and one or more associated cooling fans. With increased power and power/weight requirements for vehicular electric machines, and with the use of permanent magnets (not shown), fins and fans alone may be inadequate for discharging heat from an electric machine. For example, excessive heat can occur in the vicinity of the bearings, the sealing devices, the rotor, and the stator, causing component failure, degradation, reduced performance, and other undesirable results. Therefore, various embodiments may include a cooling system (not shown) using one or more fluids such as air, water, and coolant such as oil. For example, housing  1  may include a cooling jacket that may be in fluid communication with interior cavity  6 , the stator core (not shown), and with end turns of conductor segments  42  (e.g.,  FIG. 3 ). The cooling system may also include cooling channels in a rotor (not shown) of the electric machine. Such cooling systems are disclosed, for example, in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 13/156,129 and 12/627,294 of Brad Chamberlin, et al., each incorporated herein by reference. Various embodiments may include cooling systems having baffles, nozzles, and the like for directing coolant spray to areas of particular concern, such as end turns of stator coils. A liquid gasket (not shown) or other suitable material may be applied to any exposed electrical surface of a terminal block portion to assure that liquid does not come into contact with an electrical circuit of the machine. A radiator (not shown) may be provided in the vehicle for cooling water or other coolant being circulated to remove heat from the electric machine and any associated equipment such as an inverter or other power dissipating devices. 
         [0035]    While various embodiments incorporating the present invention have been described in detail, further modifications and adaptations of the invention may occur to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and adaptations are within the spirit and scope of the present invention.