Heat kills hub motors - especially my MAC geared hub motors. Why not ventilate a hub motor? Of course they are sealed to keep out the elements (read:water) but I think you could keep the inside of a vented motor dry enough.
In the mac motor, ventilation might best be done on the freewheel side. The windings are accessible under that side, the rotating permanent magnet and gear assembly covers the windings from the other side. Steps might be taken to "waterproof" the few exposed wires with high temp silicon, "weep holes" could even be put into the rim of the motor so that centripetal force would expel any liquid during rotation, a mesh could cover ventilation holes to block or slow most water trying to penetrate. Newly exposed and vaunerable parts might be sealed with paint, silicon or waterproof grease.
The vent holes themselves would need to be cut in a way to induce some airflow, or otherwise affixed with the suggestion of an airfoil to do so. I think a little bit of air movement might reduce temperatures significantly. This could be enough to keep wires from melting or sensors from failing.
What do you think? I'm just thinking out loud after two motors had sensor failure.
In the mac motor, ventilation might best be done on the freewheel side. The windings are accessible under that side, the rotating permanent magnet and gear assembly covers the windings from the other side. Steps might be taken to "waterproof" the few exposed wires with high temp silicon, "weep holes" could even be put into the rim of the motor so that centripetal force would expel any liquid during rotation, a mesh could cover ventilation holes to block or slow most water trying to penetrate. Newly exposed and vaunerable parts might be sealed with paint, silicon or waterproof grease.
The vent holes themselves would need to be cut in a way to induce some airflow, or otherwise affixed with the suggestion of an airfoil to do so. I think a little bit of air movement might reduce temperatures significantly. This could be enough to keep wires from melting or sensors from failing.
What do you think? I'm just thinking out loud after two motors had sensor failure.