Liquid conductor electric machines: a new cooling approach for pulsed power applications

In this work, we present a novel cooling concept for electric machinery, in which the coils comprise tubes filled with room-temperature liquid metal that can be pumped through the machine during operation. We derive scaling laws for the approach, and compare it to the scaling of conventional forms of cooling in electric machines. Then, we develop a prototype actuator using this concept, and validate the electromechanical design and actuator performance. This novel cooling concept has utility for a variety of flexible actuators and for some pulsed power applications, where the benefits can outweigh the cost of the reduced electrical conductivity of room-temperature liquid metals.