Varistor in an Electric Motor

The present invention relates to a varistor in an electric motor, particularly a fractional horsepower permanent magnet direct current (PMDC) motor.

To suppress noise in small electric motors, particularly fractional horsepower permanent magnet direct current motors, a varistor may be electrically connected across the commutator segments of the motor.

The properties of a varistor may be described by its E1 and E10 levels. The E1 level is the voltage at which 1 milliamp is conducted and the E10 that at which 10 milliamps are conducted. The E1 and E10 levels are temperature dependent and will drop as the varistor temperature rises. For efficient operation of the motor it is necessary to have stable E1 and E10 levels, and in particular to keep the E10 level above the normal operating voltage of the motor otherwise too much current will be shunted through the varistor. Many small PMDC motors are used in high temperature environments, typically 80 degrees centigrade, and so the temperature stability of the varistor becomes particularly important. Also, under stall conditions a high current passes through the motor and localised heating at the commutator will heat up the varistor. If the varistor is not able to dissipate heat fast enough it may overheat and eventually crack or explode.

The present invention provides a varistor in a permanent magnet direct current electric motor, wherein the varistor has a heat sink attached thereto.

Preferably the varistor is annular and the heat sink is attached to an end face of the varistor. Preferably the heat sink carries a fan blade.

Other preferred features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying claims.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fractional horsepower PMDC motor embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view on an enlarged scale of a varistor in accordance with the invention; and

FIG. 3 is a side view of the varistor of FIG. 2 mounted on a commutator of the fractional horsepower PMDC motor of FIG. 1.

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a fractional horsepower PMDC motor of the type comprising a deep drawn can-like steel casing 20 having a plastics end cap 22 which carries motor brushgear (not shown) for delivering current to a commutator 24 from power input terminals 26. A motor shaft 28 runs in bearings (not shown) in the nd cap 22 and a closed end of the casing 20. Shaft 28 carries the commutator 24 and an armature (not shown). Permanent magnets (not shown) are carried by the casing 20 and form the motor stator.

A varistor 30 in accordance with the invention comprises an annular ring 32 of varistor material, that is material whose resistance varies with voltage, which ring has an annular heat sink 34 mounted on a rear face 36. The heat sink 34 extends beyond the outer periphery of the annular ring 32 and has a plurality of fan blades 38 on its surface 40, which abuts the ring 32, radially outwardly of the ring 32.

The heat sink 34 is bonded to the ring 32 by adhesive and is formed of a material having a high thermal capacity and good heat conductance properties, typically it will be of metal.

The ring 32 carries a plurality of silver pads 42 on its front face 44 for connection to tangs 46 of the commutator 24 (FIG. 2).

The rear face 36 may be coated with silver or other conductive material to provide a capacitance between the tangs 46. In this case the heat sink 34 may be of electrically conductive material which is bonded direct to the silvered face 36. Where the face is not silvered, the heat sink 34 is preferably insulated from the varistor ring 2 and may be, for example, of anodised aluminium.

The heat sink 34 increases the thermal capacity of the varistor and so slows down the temperature rise of the varistor under stall conditions as well as providing a greater area for heat dissipation. Under running conditions the heat sink 34 and particularly the fan blades 38 enhance the heat dissipation from the varistor ring.

As seen in FIG. 3, the ring 32 is attached to tangs 46 of the segments 48 of commutator 24 in the usual way by soldering. The tangs 46 are supported on a collar 50 of a base of the commutator 24. The tangs 46 are forged to armature wire 52 of the motor armature (not shown) which is mounted on the shaft 28 adjacent the commutator 24.

Various modifications may be made to the described embodiment and it is desired to include all such modifications and functional equivalents as fall within the scope of the accompanying claims.