1. ELECTRIC MOTOR COOLING ANALYSIS USING NUMERICAL AND EXPERIMENAL TECHNIQUES
Background
Pressure Tap Locations
Screens
Nozzle
Electric Motor
Boost Fan 1 2 3
Fan Hub
Cooling of automotive- type electric motors is critical for efficient performance, increased product life, and cost effectiveness.
Objective
Experimental air flow chamber schematic
To determine if CFD is adequate to resolve the flow through the fan support hub as well as the motor itself. The simulations will be validated with the experimental measurements taken from the flow chamber.
Electric motor currently under investigation

2. Simulated flow field through electric motor
Research Carried Out
Simulations have been conducted comparing different hub configurations at various flow rates and rotational speeds with favourable static pressure results to the experiments. Pressure loss measurements of the motor have also been simulated using similar flow conditions with well matched results.
Simulated flow field through electric motor
Key Findings
To date, CFD has proven to be reliable at replicating the experimental data. Thus, it is feasible for new designs to be tested and optimized using virtual techniques before costly prototypes are built and tested.
Pressure field on half of fan support hub. Red is high pressure, blue is low.