Harnessing Rotating Heat Pipes for Passive Electric Motor Cooling: Enhancing Electric Vehicle Efficiency

electric motor cooling passive cooling system rotating heat pipes thermal resistance

Authors

  • Yasmine Karenita Siregar Applied Heat Transfer Research Group (AHTRG), Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universitas Indonesia, Jalan Prof. Dr. Sumitro Djojohadikusumo, Kampus UI, Depok 16424, Indonesia
  • Khairu Rezqi Applied Heat Transfer Research Group (AHTRG), Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universitas Indonesia, Jalan Prof. Dr. Sumitro Djojohadikusumo, Kampus UI, Depok 16424, Indonesia
  • Gerardo Janitra Puriadi Putra Applied Heat Transfer Research Group (AHTRG), Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universitas Indonesia, Jalan Prof. Dr. Sumitro Djojohadikusumo, Kampus UI, Depok 16424, Indonesia
  • Andhy M Fathoni Applied Heat Transfer Research Group (AHTRG), Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universitas Indonesia, Jalan Prof. Dr. Sumitro Djojohadikusumo, Kampus UI, Depok 16424, , Indonesia
  • Nandy Putra
    nandyputra@eng.ui.ac.id
    Applied Heat Transfer Research Group (AHTRG), Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universitas Indonesia, Jalan Prof. Dr. Sumitro Djojohadikusumo, Kampus UI, Depok 16424, , Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3010-599X
  • Hairul Abral Laboratory of Nanoscience and Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering Universitas Andalas Padang, Jalan Limau Manis, Padang 25163, Indonesia
October 28, 2025
December 12, 2025

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Electric vehicles are equipped with electric motors that convert electrical energy into mechanical energy to propel the vehicle. The motor experiences an increase in temperature during operation due to various losses that cause the motor temperature to rise. The performance of the electric motor will be reduced or even damaged if the heat continues to increase and the temperature exceeds 60°C. Therefore, there is a need for a cooling system that can maintain the electric motor's temperature within its working range. This study aims to investigate and test the rotating heat pipe (RHP) as a passive cooling system for electric motors. The objective of this research is to examine the performance of the RHP. The study employs a RHP with installed thermocouples on its surface. Additionally, a slip ring is utilized to serve as interface between the data acquisition module and the thermocouple sensor.  In this investigation, the Rotating Heat Pipe was equipped with two slip rings to measure temperature in rotary conditions. This study proves that using RHP can reduce thermal resistance by 30-66% compared to stationary heat pipes.