Cooling system for a machine and method of assembly of same

Abstract

A cooling system for rotating machines, such as electric motors, is provided. A heat exchanger housing is coupled with the housing of an electric motor. At least one Peltier effect device is coupled to an outer wall of the heat exchanger housing. At least one outflow air passage and at least one return air passage are defined within the heat exchanger housing to extend between the motor housing and the outer wall of the heat exchanger housing. The at least one outflow air passage transports heated air to the outer wall to facilitate heat transfer from the air to the outer wall. The at least one Peltier effect device facilitates heat transfer from the outer wall.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cooling system for a machine including a machine housing, said cooling system comprising:
 a heat exchanger housing coupled to the machine housing, said heat exchanger housing comprising an outer wall, said heat exchanger housing defining at least one outflow air passage therein and coupled in flow communication with an interior region defined in the machine housing, said heat exchanger housing further defining at least one return air passage coupled in flow communication with the interior region of the machine housing to enable air to be channeled from the interior region towards said outer wall for transferring heat from the air to said outer wall; and   at least one Peltier effect device coupled to said outer wall of said heat exchanger housing, said at least one Peltier effect device configured to facilitate heat transfer from said outer wall.   
     
     
         2 . A cooling system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said at least one outflow air passage comprises at least two outflow air passages separated from each other by a dividing wall. 
     
     
         3 . A cooling system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said at least one outflow air passage extends substantially parallel to said return air passage. 
     
     
         4 . A cooling system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said at least one outflow air passage extends from the machine housing to said outer wall. 
     
     
         5 . A cooling system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said at least one return air passage extends from the machine housing to said outer wall. 
     
     
         6 . A cooling system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the machine includes a rotor shaft, at least one of said at least one outflow air passage and said at least one return air passage is oriented substantially perpendicular to the rotor shaft. 
     
     
         7 . A cooling system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the machine housing has a first length, and said heat exchanger housing has a second length that is approximately equal to the machine housing first length. 
     
     
         8 . A cooling system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said at least one outflow air passage is adjacent to said at least one return air passage. 
     
     
         9 . A method for assembling a cooling system for a machine including a machine housing, said method comprising:
 coupling a heat exchanger housing to the machine housing, wherein the heat exchanger housing includes an outer wall;   coupling at least one outflow air passage defined within the heat exchanger housing in flow communication with an interior region defined in the machine housing;   coupling at least one return air passage defined within the heat exchanger housing in flow communication with the interior region of the machine housing and in flow communication with the at least one outflow air passage, to enable air to be channeled from the interior region towards the outer wall to facilitate heat transfer heat from the air to the outer wall; and   coupling at least one Peltier effect device to the outer wall of the heat exchanger housing, wherein the at least one Peltier effect device facilitates heat transfer from the outer wall.   
     
     
         10 . A method in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein coupling at least one outflow air passage comprises:
 coupling at least two outflow air passages within the heat exchanger housing; and   isolating the at least two outflow air passages from each other by a dividing wall.   
     
     
         11 . A method in accordance with  claim 9 , further comprising coupling said at least one outflow air passage parallel to said return air passage. 
     
     
         12 . A method in accordance with  claim 9 , further comprising coupling said at least one outflow air passage to extend from the machine housing to said outer wall. 
     
     
         13 . A method in accordance with  claim 9 , further comprising coupling said at least one return air passage to extend from the machine housing to said outer wall. 
     
     
         14 . A method in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein the machine includes a rotor shaft, said method further comprising orienting at least one of said at least one outflow air passage and said at least one return air passage substantially perpendicular to the rotor shaft. 
     
     
         15 . A method in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein the machine housing has a first length, said method further comprising configuring said heat exchanger housing with a second length that is approximately equal to the machine housing first length. 
     
     
         16 . A method in accordance with  claim 9 , further comprising coupling said at least one outflow air passage adjacent to said at least one return air passage. 
     
     
         17 . A machine comprising:
 a housing;   a heat exchanger housing coupled to the machine housing, said heat exchanger housing comprising an outer wall, said heat exchanger housing defining at least one outflow air passage coupled in flow communication with an interior region defined in the machine housing, said heat exchanger housing further defining at least one return air passage coupled in flow communication with said machine housing interior region and in flow communication with said at least one outflow air passage to enable air to be channeled from said interior region towards said outer wall to facilitate heat transfer from said outer wall; and   at least one Peltier effect device coupled to said outer wall, said at least one Peltier effect device configured to facilitate heat transfer from said outer wall.   
     
     
         18 . A machine in accordance with  claim 17 , wherein said at least one outflow air passage comprises two outflow air passages separated from each other by a dividing wall. 
     
     
         19 . A machine in accordance with  claim 17 , wherein said at least one outflow air passage extends substantially parallel to said return air passage. 
     
     
         20 . A machine in accordance with  claim 17 , wherein said at least one outflow air passage extends from the machine housing to said outer wall.