Rotating Electric Machine Thermal Study

Abstract

Abstract. This paper presents a mathematical model and numerical simulation results for heat transfer analysis that takes place at the frame level of a rotating electric machines provided with longitudinal cooling fins. For this purpose a relatively complex three-dimensional model is used, numerical treatable with affordable hardware and software resources. The frameenvironment convective heat transfer process is considered. The frame is cooled by forced convection in two cases: the thermal radiation heat transfer is taken into account and without considering it. Numerical simulation results reveal the heat transfer pathways from the frame to the environment, and allow assessment of important parameters in designing the machine's cooling.