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Employing the Peltier Effect to Control Motor Operating Temperatures

Author

Listed:
  • Stephen Lucas

    (UniSA STEM, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, SA 5095, Australia
    Lucas Solutions Pty. Ltd., Hazelwood North, VIC 3840, Australia)

  • Romeo Marian

    (UniSA STEM, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, SA 5095, Australia)

  • Michael Lucas

    (UniSA STEM, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, SA 5095, Australia)

  • Titilayo Ogunwa

    (UniSA STEM, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, SA 5095, Australia)

  • Javaan Chahl

    (UniSA STEM, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, SA 5095, Australia
    Joint and Operations Analysis Division, Defence Science and Technology Group, Melbourne, VIC 3207, Australia)

Abstract

Electrical insulation failure is the most common failure mechanism in electrical machines (motors and generators). High temperatures and/or temperature gradients (HTTG) are the main drivers of insulation failure in electrical machines. HTTG combine with and augment other destructive effects from over-voltage, to voltage transients, overload and load variations, poor construction techniques, and thermal cycling. These operating conditions cause insulation damage that leads to electrical insulation failure. The insulation failure process is greatly accelerated by pollutants and moisture absorption. A simple and robust way to reduce HTTG and moisture adsorption is by maintaining constant internal temperatures. The current method to maintain elevated internal temperatures and reduce condensation issues is by internal electrical heating elements. This paper examines the effectiveness of applying thermoelectric coolers (TECs), solid-state heat pumps (Peltier devices), as heaters to raise a motor’s internal temperature by pumping heat into the motor core rather than heating the internal air. TEC technology is relatively new, and the application of TECs to heat a motor’s internal volume has not previously been explored. In this paper, we explore the hypothesis that TECs can pump heat into a motor when out of service, reducing the HTTG by maintaining high winding slot temperatures and eliminating condensation issues. This paper describes a test motor setup with simple resistive heating (traditional method), compared with the application of TECs with heat sinks, heat pipes, and a water circulation heat exchanger, to gauge the capability of TECs to heat the inner core or winding area. In this paper, we demonstrate the full integration of TECs into a motor. The results show that each of the systems incorporating the TECs would effectively pump heat into the core and keep the winding hot, eliminating condensation issues and water ingress due to thermal cycling.

Suggested Citation

  • Stephen Lucas & Romeo Marian & Michael Lucas & Titilayo Ogunwa & Javaan Chahl, 2023. "Employing the Peltier Effect to Control Motor Operating Temperatures," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-15, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:5:p:2498-:d:1089213
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Stephen Lucas & Romeo Marian & Michael Lucas & Saiful Bari & Titilayo Ogunwa & Javaan Chahl, 2022. "Research in Life Extension of Electrical Motors by Controlling the Impact of the Environment through Employing Peltier Effect," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-16, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Stephen Lucas & Romeo Marian & Michael Lucas & Titilayo Ogunwa & Javaan Chahl, 2023. "Active Thermal Management of Electric Motors and Generators Using Thermoelectric (Peltier Effect) Technology," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-16, April.
    2. Felix Leitenberger & Sven Matthiesen, 2024. "Thermal Testing and System Reliability: Transferring Thermal Interactions by Heat Conduction through a Peltier-Based Thermal Coupling System," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-15, February.

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    1. Stephen Lucas & Romeo Marian & Michael Lucas & Titilayo Ogunwa & Javaan Chahl, 2023. "Active Thermal Management of Electric Motors and Generators Using Thermoelectric (Peltier Effect) Technology," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-16, April.

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