Vortex generation and control in baffling housing of a weather protected motor

Rated power of a specific motor is highly dependent on cooling capacity for its own protection system. This paper addresses an effect of counter rotating vortices generated inside a weather-protected housing mounted over a IP23W motor, deteriorating thermal-flow characteristics. Generative process of the vortices was initially investigated with computational fluid dynamics and passive control device was added up to attenuate the rotational flow structures causing a sharp pressure drop. After the flow-control, both hydraulic resistance of the housing and temperature rise of the winding were significantly decreased according to CFD and test, respectively.