Method and Structure for Cooling an Electric Motor

Abstract

A high speed electric motor for use in a variety of applications. The electric motor an electric motor including a motor housing or stator, a rotor having a commutator and brushes for contacting the commutator at a predefined area known as the contact area. Additionally, the motor includes a forced air cooling assembly. The forced air cooling assembly includes a centrifugal fan for creating air flow, a manifold for accelerating the air flow. The manifold having exit ports and the exit ports being positioned directly over the contact area for directing the accelerated air flow at the contact area and the motor housing having at least one opening aligned with the contact area and at least a second opening defining an exit vent. Additionally, a method of cooling the motor in accordance with the invention is also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A small, high powered, electrical motor having forced air cooling, comprising:
 an electric motor having a motor housing, a stator, a rotor having a commutator and brushes for contacting the commutator defining a contact area;   a forced air cooling assembly including:   a fan for creating air flow;   a manifold for accelerating the air flow;   the manifold having exit ports and the exit ports being positioned directly over the contact area for directing the accelerated air flow at the contact area; and   the motor housing having a plurality of opening; at least one opening aligned with the contact area and at least a second opening defining an exit vent.   
     
     
         2 . The electrical motor of  claim 1 , wherein the fan for creating the air flow defines an centrifugal fan. 
     
     
         3 . The electrical motor of  claim 2 , wherein the fan for creating the air flow defines an impeller. 
     
     
         4 . The electrical motor of  claim 3 , wherein the impeller creates the air flow and the manifold pressurizes and accelerates the air flow. 
     
     
         5 . The electrical motor of  claim 4 , wherein the impeller is attached to the rotor and rotates as the motor rotates forcing pressurized air through the manifold and onto the contact area. 
     
     
         6 . The electrical motor of  claim 3 , wherein the manifold defines at least one an impeller exit port and at least one contact area intake for directing air flow directly onto the contact area. 
     
     
         7 . The electrical motor of  claim 6 , wherein the manifold has two impeller exit ports and they are opposed from one another. 
     
     
         8 . The electrical motor of  claim 7 , wherein the manifold has two contact area intakes and they are opposed from one another. 
     
     
         9 . The electrical motor of  claim 9 , wherein the two impeller exit ports are 180 degrees opposed and the two contact area intakes are also 180 degrees opposed from one another. 
     
     
         10 . The electrical motor of  claim 9 , wherein one pair of impeller ports and contact area intakes are in-line with one another and 180 degrees opposed to the other port and intake pair. 
     
     
         11 . The electrical motor of  claim 1 , wherein the manifold includes a collar connected to one end of the motor housing and a passageway defining a vent shaft defining the distribution means for delivering the air flow created by the impeller from impeller exit port to the contact area intake. 
     
     
         12 . The electrical motor of  claim 11 , wherein the vent shaft is attached removably to the collar. 
     
     
         13 . The electrical motor of  claim 8 , wherein one end of the vent shaft is positioned and is in open communication with the impeller exit port and the other end of the vent shaft is in open communication with the contact area intake. 
     
     
         14 . The electrical motor of  claim 1 , wherein impeller is offset from the rotor, and the impeller is powered by a set of gears and a pulley connected to the rotor.