Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for thermal management of an electric motor via a coolant flow around portions of the electric motor, where the coolant flow is disrupted by an arrangement of pin-fins. In one example, an electric motor comprises: a casing including a coolant inlet arranged opposite to a coolant outlet across a central axis of the electric motor; a stator housed within the casing and forming a plurality of pin-fins extending straight outward radially, relative to the central axis, from outer circumferential surfaces of the stator in a staggered arrangement around an entire perimeter of the stator; and a plurality of clearances formed between adjacent pin-fins of the plurality of pin-fins, the plurality of clearances adapted to flow a coolant from the coolant inlet to the coolant outlet.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for thermal management of an electric motor via a coolant flow around portions of the electric motor, where the coolant flow is disrupted by an arrangement of pin-fins. In one example, an electric motor comprises: a casing including a coolant inlet arranged opposite to a coolant outlet across a central axis of the electric motor; a stator housed within the casing and forming a plurality of pin-fins extending straight outward radially, relative to the central axis, from outer circumferential surfaces of the stator in a staggered arrangement around an entire perimeter of the stator; and a plurality of clearances formed between adjacent pin-fins of the plurality of pin-fins, the plurality of clearances adapted to flow a coolant from the coolant inlet to the coolant outlet.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for thermal management of an electric motor via a coolant flow around portions of the electric motor, where the coolant flow is disrupted by an arrangement of pin-fins. In one example, an electric motor comprises: a casing including a coolant inlet arranged opposite to a coolant outlet across a central axis of the electric motor; a stator housed within the casing and forming a plurality of pin-fins extending straight outward radially, relative to the central axis, from outer circumferential surfaces of the stator in a staggered arrangement around an entire perimeter of the stator; and a plurality of clearances formed between adjacent pin-fins of the plurality of pin-fins, the plurality of clearances adapted to flow a coolant from the coolant inlet to the coolant outlet.

Abstract: A stiffness control system and apparatus includes one or more stiffness elements which are each activated by a smart actuator including a smart material which may be one of a shape memory alloy (SMA), a magnetorheological (MR) fluid, an electrorheological (ER) fluid, and a piezo-stack. The stiffness control system includes a first and second interface adaptable to transmit input loads and a plurality of stiffness elements. A first stiffness element is operatively connected to the first and second interfaces and is continuously responsive to a change in system operating characteristics including input loads. A second stiffness element is selectively activated by the smart actuator so as to selectively respond to a change in system conditions. The continuous response of the first stiffness element can be selectively combined with the activated response of the second stiffness element to dynamically control system stiffness.

Abstract: A stiffness control system and apparatus includes one or more stiffness elements which are each activated by a smart actuator including a smart material which may be one of a shape memory alloy (SMA), a magnetorheological (MR) fluid, an electrorheological (ER) fluid, and a piezo-stack. The stiffness control system includes a first and second interface adaptable to transmit input loads and a plurality of stiffness elements. A first stiffness element is operatively connected to the first and second interfaces and is continuously responsive to a change in system operating characteristics including input loads. A second stiffness element is selectively activated by the smart actuator so as to selectively respond to a change in system conditions. The continuous response of the first stiffness element can be selectively combined with the activated response of the second stiffness element to dynamically control system stiffness.