LAPSE:2023.35785
Published Article
LAPSE:2023.35785
Active Thermal Management of Electric Motors and Generators Using Thermoelectric (Peltier Effect) Technology
May 23, 2023
Electric motors and generators underpin life in today’s world. They are numerous and widespread and consume approximately 45% of the world’s energy. Any improvements in efficiency or reductions in their whole-of-life costs are actively and continually being sought. While designs accommodate the removal of heat caused by internal losses because of inefficiencies, temperature variations due to load changes and environmental temperature fluctuations, and system harmonic content still stresses electrical insulation systems. This causes the fretting of insulation, combined with moisture ingress, which leads to leakage currents and, consequently, the early failure of the electrical insulation. This paper explores the addition of thermoelectric coolers/heaters (TECs) or Peltier effect devices. We show that these solid-state devices can actively support the thermal management of a motor by keeping its internals hot, reducing moisture ingress when off, and assisting in heat removal when under load, resulting in a more thermally stable internal environment. A thermally stable environment inside the electrical machine reduces the mechanical stresses on the electrical insulation, resulting in a longer operational life and reducing the whole-of-life costs.
Keywords
core cooling, core heating, core temperature control, electrical insulation, thermoelectric cooler
Suggested Citation
Lucas S, Marian R, Lucas M, Ogunwa T, Chahl J. Active Thermal Management of Electric Motors and Generators Using Thermoelectric (Peltier Effect) Technology. (2023). LAPSE:2023.35785
Author Affiliations
Lucas S: UniSA STEM, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, SA 5095, Australia; Lucas Solutions Pty. Ltd., Hazelwood North, VIC 3840, Australia [ORCID]
Marian R: UniSA STEM, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, SA 5095, Australia [ORCID]
Lucas M: UniSA STEM, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, SA 5095, Australia [ORCID]
Ogunwa T: UniSA STEM, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, SA 5095, Australia [ORCID]
Chahl J: UniSA STEM, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, SA 5095, Australia; Defence Science and Technology Group, Joint and Operations Analysis Division, Melbourne, VIC 3207, Australia [ORCID]
Journal Name
Energies
Volume
16
Issue
9
First Page
3844
Year
2023
Publication Date
2023-04-29
Published Version
ISSN
1996-1073
Version Comments
Original Submission
Other Meta
PII: en16093844, Publication Type: Journal Article
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LAPSE:2023.35785
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doi:10.3390/en16093844
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May 23, 2023
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CC BY 4.0
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[v1] (Original Submission)
May 23, 2023
 
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May 23, 2023
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Original Submitter
Calvin Tsay
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