Systems for a rotating transformer

Abstract

Externally excited synchronous machine (EESM), comprising: a rotating transformer, comprising: a ferromagnetic core comprising a rotor core and a stator core; a first winding which is coupled to the rotor core via a first spring; and a second winding, which is coupled to the stator core via a second spring.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] Embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein relate to electrical machines, in particular to a rotating transformer of an electrical machine comprising a spring holder. BACKGROUND AND DETOUR

[0002] Electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles use electric motors to power the vehicle's drivetrain. Common types of electric motors are permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSMs) and asynchronous motors (ASMs), with asynchronous motors having a lower efficiency compared to PMSMs. While PMSMs are more efficient than asynchronous motors, their production requires the mining of rare earth metals for the permanent magnets, which is unsustainable due to environmental and geopolitical challenges. Therefore, for both environmental and economic reasons, electric motors that do not require rare earth magnets are increasingly desirable.

[0003] An alternative to permanent magnet synchronous machines that does not require the mining of rare earth metals for magnets is the separately excited synchronous machine (EESM). Instead of rare earth permanent magnets generating the magnetic field in the rotor, an electromagnet is used. Separately excited synchronous machines require power transmission to the rotor, which can be achieved by various means such as carbon brushes or a rotating transformer. Rotating transformers have the advantage of being maintenance-free and eliminating friction losses. For example, the rotating transformer often uses a foil winding (e.g., made of copper or aluminum) to limit AC losses. The coil can be attached to a ferrite core of the rotating transformer using organic adhesives or other types of adhesives, such as Kapton tape, epoxy resin, or similar materials.

[0004] However, such adhesives may require a wet manufacturing process, increasing complexity and production costs. Furthermore, the use of such adhesives reduces the recyclability of the rotating transformer's components at the end of its service life. Additionally, the maximum permissible temperature of the adhesive materials (e.g., 252 °C) may be lower than that of the ceramic winding insulation of the rotating transformer's foil winding, thus limiting the transformer's temperature capabilities.

[0005] The inventors recognized the aforementioned problems and developed a rotary transformer with a spring retainer that at least partially solves them. The rotary transformer described here uses the spring retainer to replace the need for adhesive bonding the coil. The spring retainer thus connects the copper coil windings to the ferrite core. Specifically, the rotary transformer comprises a static part and a rotating part (e.g., the rotor). During manufacturing, the static part's spring can be compressed, increasing its radius and allowing it to move across the foil winding. When the pressure is released, the spring exerts a force on the winding, maintaining its position within the stator. Furthermore, the spring's radius decreases for the rotating part as it is lengthened.If the radius is reduced, the foil coil winding of the rotating part can be wound around the spring. Once the winding is wrapped around the spring, the assembly is mounted to the rotor core, and when the tensile pressure is released, the winding can be fixed in the rotor core.

[0006] In this way, the rotor core and the foil winding can be bonded together without the use of adhesives. Without adhesives, the temperature resistance of the rotating transformers can be fully utilized during operation. Furthermore, the manufacturing process can be more efficient and cost-effective without adhesives. Additionally, the components of the rotating transformer can be recycled at the end of their service life without adhesives, thus increasing overall sustainability.

[0007] Note that the above brief description is provided to offer a simplified overview of a selection of concepts that are further described in the full description. It is not intended to identify important or essential features of the claimed subject matter, the scope of which is defined solely by the claims following the full description. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that address the disadvantages mentioned above or elsewhere in this disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an example vehicle. Fig. 2A shows a rotor part of a disassembled rotating transformer. Fig. Figure 2B shows a stator part of the disassembled rotating transformer. Fig. shows a cross-section of an assembled rotating transformer. Fig. Figure 4A shows a schematic cross-section of an assembled rotating transformer according to a first embodiment. Fig. Figure 4B shows a schematic cross-section of the assembled rotating transformer according to a second embodiment. Fig. Figure 5 shows a method for manufacturing a static part of a rotating transformer. Fig. Figure 6 shows a method for manufacturing a rotating part of a rotating transformer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0008] The following description refers to systems and methods for a rotating transformer that includes a spring retainer designed to secure the coil windings of the rotating transformer to a ferrite core. Fig. Figure 1 shows an exemplary vehicle system in which a rotating transformer according to the present disclosure may be incorporated. Fig. 2A and Fig. Figure 2B shows disassembled stator and rotor parts of an exemplary rotating transformer. Fig. Figure 3 shows a cross-section of the exemplary rotating transformer. Fig. 4A and Fig. Figure 4B shows schematic cross-sectional views of a rotating transformer according to a first and second embodiment. Fig. 5 and Fig. Figure 6 shows flowcharts illustrating procedures for manufacturing the stator and rotor parts of a rotating transformer with a spring mount.

[0009] Fig. Figures 1-4B show exemplary configurations with the relative positioning of the various components. If such elements are depicted in direct contact with each other or directly coupled, then in at least one example they can be described as being in direct contact with each other and directly coupled. Similarly, elements depicted side by side or adjacent to each other can be described as being adjacent to each other or adjacent to each other in at least one example. For instance, components that are in planar contact with each other can be described as being in planar contact. As another example, in at least one case elements that are separated from each other, with only a gap between them and that have no other components, can be described as such.In yet another example, elements that are displayed above / below each other, on opposite sides, or to the left / right of each other can be described as such, relative to one another. Furthermore, in at least one example, as shown in the figures, a topmost element or the highest point of an element can be referred to as the "top" of the component, and a bottommost element or the lowest point of the element can be referred to as the "bottom" of the component. The terms top / bottom, upper / lower, and above / below used here can refer to a vertical axis of the figures and be used to describe the positioning of elements within the figures relative to each other. Thus, in one example, elements displayed above other elements are arranged vertically above the other elements.As a further example, the shapes of the elements depicted in the figures can be described as such (e.g., circular, straight, flat, curved, rounded, beveled, angled, etc.). Furthermore, the depicted elements that intersect each other can be described as intersecting elements or as mutually intersecting elements in at least one example. In addition, an element depicted within or outside another element can be described as such.

[0010] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a vehicle system 106 that can derive its driving power from one or more electric machines 154 (e.g., a drive motor). The one or more electric machines 154 described here can be separately excited synchronous machines (EESMs) that use an electromagnet to generate a magnetic field. To transfer the power to the rotor of the electric machine, the electric machines 154 can include a rotating transformer, as described here. In some examples, the vehicle system 106 can be a road vehicle, such as a car or truck, an off-road vehicle, or any other type of vehicle that uses an electric machine. Furthermore, the vehicle system 106 can be a battery electric vehicle (BEV), a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), or a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).In one embodiment, the electric machines 154 can be traction motors or other types of electric motors. The electric machines 154 can be supplied with electrical energy by a traction battery 158 to transmit torque to the rear wheels 157 of the vehicle via the transmission 155. The electric machines 154 can also be operated as generators to supply electrical energy for charging the traction battery 158, e.g., during braking. It should be noted that the [reference to be added] Fig. Although the electric machines 154 and the transmission system 155 shown in Figure 1 are mounted in a rear-wheel drive configuration, other configurations are also possible, e.g., the use of the electric machine 154 in a front-wheel drive configuration or in a configuration in which a first output fork or other interface drives the rear wheels 157 and a second output fork or other interface drives the front wheels 156 of the vehicle.

[0011] Electric machines 154 and gearboxes 155 can be used as part of an electric drive unit. In some examples, the electric machines 154 can be integrated into a gearbox of the gearbox system 155. Additionally or alternatively, the electric machines 154 can be coupled to the outside of a gearbox housing. The gearbox can include at least one clutch and one or more shafts, as described below. The control unit 112 can send a signal to an actuator of the clutch(es) of the gearbox system 155 to engage or disengage the clutch(es) in order to couple or decouple the power transmission from the electric machines 154 to various shafts and gears therein, thereby changing the transmission ratios of the gearbox system 155.

[0012] The control unit 112 can form part of a control system 114. The control system 114 shown receives information from a variety of sensors 116 and sends control signals to a variety of actuators 181. The sensors 116 can include, for example, sensors for the battery charge level, clutch pressure sensors, speed sensors, pedal actuation sensors, etc. Other examples of actuators include the clutch(es), etc. The control unit 112 can receive input data from the various sensors, process the input data, and trigger the actuators in response to the processed input data based on instructions or codes programmed into it, corresponding to one or more routines.

[0013] In the Fig. 2A and Fig. Figure 2B shows an example of a rotary transformer 200. The rotary transformer, as used in the Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B is shown in its disassembled state, where Fig. 2A in particular a rotating part 250 of the rotating transformer 200 and Fig. Figure 2B shows in particular a static part 252 of the rotating transformer 200. The rotating transformer 200 can be configured with a rotor shaft of an electrical machine, such as one or more of the electrical machines 154 of Fig. 1. To cooperate. An axle system 299 is in Fig. 2A as well as in the Fig. Figures 2B-4B are shown. The x-axis can be a transverse axis, the y-axis a longitudinal axis, and the z-axis a vertical axis (e.g., parallel to a gravitational axis), although other axes are also possible.

[0014] The rotating transformer 200 can comprise a ferromagnetic core, conductive windings, such as copper or aluminum windings, and one or more springs (e.g., spring retainers, such as coil springs, leaf / foil springs, or strip springs), as revealed here. In the disassembled state, as shown in the Fig. 2A and Fig. As shown in 2B, the spring retainers may not be present. As shown in the Fig. 5 and Fig. As described in section 6, the spring holders can be arranged in and around the rotating part 250 or the stationary part 252 during manufacturing and assembly. The rotating part 250 and the stationary part 252 can be configured to be assembled together, as shown in Fig. Figure 3-4B shows that the rotating transformer 200 can rotate about a rotary axis 290. When assembled with the electrical machine, the rotating transformer 200 can be mounted concentrically and coaxially on the rotor shaft, so that the rotary axis 290 of the rotating machine is also the rotary axis of the rotor shaft.

[0015] The rotating part 250 can comprise a rotor core 202 made of ferromagnetic material (e.g., ferrite core), and the static part 252 can comprise a stator core 206 made of ferromagnetic material. The rotor core 202 can be coupled to a first winding 204. Similarly, the stator core 206 can be coupled to a second winding 208. The first and second windings 204, 208, and other windings described herein can be of copper, aluminum, or other winding types. As in the Fig. As described in more detail in 4A-6, the first and second windings 204, 208 can be coupled to the ferromagnetic core via corresponding spring holders.

[0016] The rotor core 202 can be configured as a cylindrical tube or as a segmented cylindrical tube. The first winding 204 of the rotating part 250 can be arranged within an interior space 228 of the rotor core 202. The rotor core 202 can, for example, have a cylindrical inner surface 230. An outer surface of the first winding 204 can adjoin the inner cylindrical surface 230 of the rotor core 202, so that the first winding 204 is arranged within an interior space of the rotor core 202. The rotor core 202 can have a first outer surface 210 on a first side 240. On a second side 242 of the rotor core 202, a lip 212 can have a first inner surface 214, which faces the inner surface 228, and a second outer surface (not shown). The second outer surface can face in the opposite direction to the first outer surface 210.

[0017] The static part 252 can also be configured as a cylindrical tube 234 with a lip 216. The second winding 208 can be arranged around an outer surface of the cylindrical tube 234 of the stator core 206. For example, an outer cylindrical surface 224 can be connected to the second winding 208. An interior space 226 of the stator core 206 can be designed to accommodate a rotor shaft. The stator core 206 can have the lip 216 on a first side 244 and a first outer surface 220 on a second side 246. The lip 216 can have a first inner surface 218 and a second outer surface (not shown).

[0018] During the assembly of the rotating transformer 200, the tube 234 of the static part 252 can be inserted into the interior 228 of the rotating part 250. For example, the first outer surface 220 can be located near the first inner surface 214 of the lip 212 of the rotor core 202, and the first inner surface 218 of the lip 216 of the stator core 206 can be located near the first outer surface 210 of the rotor core 202. In this way, the first and second windings 204, 206 can be positioned opposite each other in the assembled rotating transformer. In the assembled state, the rotating part 250 of the rotating assembly can rotate about the static part 252, for example about the axis of rotation 290, while the static part 252 remains stationary.

[0019] In the Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B is a section plane AA' represented by both the rotating part 250 and the static part 252. Fig. Figure 3 shows the rotating transformer 200 in a cross-sectional view through the section plane A-A'. As described above, in the assembled state, as shown in Fig. Figure 3 shows that the lip 216 of the static part 252 and the first outer surface 210 of the rotating part 250 may be arranged on a first side 320, while the first outer surface 220 of the static part 252 and the lip 212, in particular an outer surface 302 of the lip, may be arranged on a second side 322.

[0020] In some examples, a first air gap 304 can exist between the lip 216 of the stator core 206 and the rotor core 202. Similarly, a second air gap 306 can exist between the tube 234 of the stator core 206 and the lip 212 of the rotor core 202. The first and second air gaps 304 and 306 can be the points where the main magnetic flux flows from the rotor to the stator, thus magnetically connecting the rotor and stator. The first and second air gaps 304 and 306 are designed to determine the function of the transformer. For example, the second air gap 306 can create a distance between the spring retainer and the windings of the static and rotating parts to compensate for possible geometric tolerances of the windings and spring retainers.Furthermore, the first and second air gaps 304, 306 can reduce the contact between the static and rotating parts during the rotation of the rotating transformer, thereby reducing potential impairments to the system.

[0021] In its assembled state, the rotating transformer 200 can include a first spring 310 and a second spring 308. As shown in the Fig. As described in more detail in 4A-6, the first spring 310 can be arranged around the static part 252 and the second spring 308 inside the rotating part 250. The first spring 310 can hold the second winding 208 in a position relative to the stator core 206, and the second spring 308 can hold the first winding 204 in a position relative to the rotor core 202.

[0022] In some examples, the second winding 208 of the static part 252 can be connected to an external alternating current (AC) source. The first winding 204 of the rotating part 250 can be electrically connected to the rotor field windings (not shown) of the separately excited synchronous machine (EESM). The second winding 208 can be configured to be excited by the external AC source to generate a time-varying magnetic field. This magnetic field can induce an alternating magnetic flux in the ferrite core that comprises the rotor core 202 and the stator core 206.

[0023] The alternating magnetic current generated by the second winding 208 can be linked to the first winding 204. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the first and second windings 204, 208 can be arranged opposite each other within the ferrite core. The alternating magnetic current connected to the first winding 204 can induce an alternating voltage in the first winding 204, even when the rotating part is stationary. This induced alternating voltage results in an alternating current that can be rectified by a rectifier on the rotating side of the transformer to generate a direct current for the rotor field windings. This direct current output to the rotor field windings can thus generate the rotor's magnetic field for the synchronous operation of the separately excited synchronous machine (EESM). The rotor and stator circuits described here can be isolated from each other, which reduces potential electrical faults.

[0024] As described below, the conductive windings can be coupled to the ferromagnetic core by stretching and compressing the spring retainer. As described below, the first and second spring retainers 310, 308 in Fig. Although shown as wire springs, other designs are also possible. The spring holders can, for example, be made of foil springs.

[0025] In the Fig. 4A and Fig. Figure 4B shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a rotating transformer 400. The rotating transformer 400 can, in some examples, correspond to the one described in Fig. The rotating transformer 200 described in 2A-3 may be similar. The rotating transformer may be contained in an electrical machine, e.g., in a separately excited synchronous machine (e.g., in electrical machine 154 of Fig. 1) In a first embodiment, as in Fig. As shown in 4A, the spring retainers contained in the rotating transformer are wire springs. In a second embodiment, as shown in Fig. As shown in 4B, the spring holders are foil springs. In the Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B, at least some of the components are identical, so for the sake of brevity they are not listed again.

[0026] In both the first and second embodiments described here, the rotating transformer 400 can comprise a rotor core 402 and a stator core 404. The rotor core 402 and the stator core 404 together can form the core, e.g., a ferrite or ferromagnetic core, of the rotating transformer 400. As described in the Fig. As described in 2A-3, the rotor core 402 and the stator core 404 can be separate parts that are assembled together, as shown in Fig. 4A and Fig. Figure 4B shows a first winding 406 coupled to the rotor core 402. The first winding 406 can be a copper or aluminum winding, or another type of foil or coil winding made of conductive material. The first winding 406 can be arranged inside an interior space of the rotor core 402. In some examples, a first slot lining 410 can be arranged between the first winding 406 and the rotor core 402. A second winding 412 can be coupled to the stator core 404. The second winding 412, like the first winding 406, can be a copper or aluminum winding, or another type of foil or coil winding made of conductive material. In some examples, the second winding 412 can be arranged around an exterior surface of the stator core 404. In some examples, a second slot lining 414 can be arranged between the second winding 412 and the stator core 404.In some examples, the first and second slot linings 410, 414 may be arranged to form an insulating barrier between the windings and the rotor core 402 or the stator core 404, respectively.

[0027] The first and second windings 406, 412 can extend laterally from the core; for example, the first winding 406 can extend laterally to a first side 490, and the second winding 412 can extend laterally to a second side 492. This lateral extension of the windings can enable the generation of a magnetic field and thus the generation of direct current. These lateral extensions can be used, for example, to connect the static winding to the alternating current source and the rotating winding to the rectifier.

[0028] The rotating transformer 400 can rotate about a rotary axis 450. In some examples, the rotor core 402, when assembled, can be a rotating component that rotates around the stator core 404, as described above.

[0029] The rotating transformer 400 can additionally include a first spring retainer 408 and a second spring retainer 416. The first and second spring retainers 408 and 416 can be arranged between the first winding 406 and the second winding 412 when the rotating transformer is assembled. The first spring retainer 408 can be a stator spring retainer configured to couple the second winding 412 to the stator core 404. The second spring retainer 416 can be a rotor spring retainer configured to couple the first winding 406 to the rotor core 402. The first spring retainer 408 can be arranged around the stator part of the rotating transformer 400 (e.g., the second winding 412 and the stator core assembly 404), the arrangement around the stator part in this case including the arrangement around an outer surface of the stator part.The second spring holder 416 can be arranged inside the rotor part of the rotating transformer 400, for example inside an interior space of the first winding 406 and the rotor core 402.

[0030] The spring holder can be designed to optimize the losses and mechanical aspects of the rotating transformer 400. The spring can, for example, contain foil springs or wire springs. For instance, the springs can be shaped and dimensioned so that they do not touch when the stator core and rotor core are assembled. If the springs of the first embodiment are Fig. 4A. Since wire springs are involved, the wire diameter, material, and number of windings can be optimized to compensate for the mechanical force exerted by the spring on the windings and the additional losses that occur in the spring. Similarly, in the second in Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4B, if the springs are foil springs, the thickness and material of the foil spring are optimized to compensate for the same aspects.

[0031] As in the Fig. 5 and Fig. As described in Figure 6, the spring retainers 408 and 416 can be extended and / or compressed to exert force and / or release pressure. The springs can secure the first and second windings 406 and 412 to the rotor core 402 and stator core 404, respectively, by exerting and releasing force. The spring retainers can thus be the primary connection component of the rotating transformer, eliminating the need for adhesives. Unlike conventional adhesives used to bond the windings to the core, spring retainers allow for full utilization of the rotating transformer's temperature capabilities, and operation at higher temperatures can result in a higher transformer power density.Eliminating adhesives can reduce overall production costs and cycle time, as adhesives require curing times and complex equipment and installations for handling the adhesive chemicals. Furthermore, sustainability can be improved compared to using adhesives, since recycling a spring retainer at the end of the rotating transformer's lifespan can be simpler and does not require the burning process necessary for adhesives. Additionally, the spring retainer can be a repairable component, whereas a rotating transformer must be replaced as a whole if the adhesives fail.

[0032] In the Fig. 5 and Fig. Figure 6 describes the processes for manufacturing a rotating transformer. In particular, it shows Fig. 5 a flowchart illustrating a process 500 for manufacturing a static part (e.g. stator) of a rotating transformer, and Fig. Figure 6 shows a flowchart illustrating a process 600 for manufacturing a rotating part (e.g., rotor) of a rotating transformer. Processes 500 and 600 can be carried out manually, via one or more mechanical strategies (e.g., via mechanical devices), and / or via coded instructions stored in the memory of one or more machines. The processes described here are examples, and it is understood that other processes for manufacturing a rotating transformer incorporating a spring retainer for coupling the windings to a core are also possible without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0033] Starting with Fig. 5, at 502, method 500 comprises compressing a spring retainer of the rotating transformer. As in the Fig. 4A and Fig. As described in Figure 4B, the rotating transformer may, in some examples, include a first spring retainer for the static part and a second spring retainer for the rotating part. The spring retainer of the static part may be compressed to store potential energy. Compressing the spring may increase the radius of the spring retainer.

[0034] In 504, method 500 involves moving the spring holder over the winding of the stator part. If the radius of the spring holder is increased, the spring holder can be moved over (e.g., around) the winding. Thus, the spring holder can be arranged around the static part of the rotating transformer (e.g., circumferentially). In the compressed state, the spring holder can be loose enough to slide laterally into position.

[0035] In 506, method 500 involves releasing the compression pressure on the spring retainer. Releasing the pressure on the spring retainer allows it to extend back to its neutral position. As the pressure is released, the radius of the spring retainer decreases due to the conversion of potential energy into kinetic energy. With this reduced radius, the spring retainer, due to the pressure release, can exert a force on the winding. This force can be directed toward the outside of the winding, toward the stator core. The force exerted on the winding helps maintain its position relative to the stator core, thus coupling the winding to the stator core.

[0036] In Fig. 6, Fig.602, Method 600 involves extending the spring support. As mentioned earlier, the rotating transformer can include a first spring support (e.g., the first spring support 408) for the stator part and a second spring support (e.g., the second spring support 416) for the rotor part. Extending the spring support of the rotor part can reduce its radius.

[0037] In 604, method 600 comprises winding the winding (e.g., the first winding 406) around the spring holder. In some examples, winding the winding around the spring holder may involve inserting the spring holder within an interior space of the winding. In other examples, the winding may be wound around the spring holder when the spring holder is in the reduced-radius position.

[0038] In 606, method 600 comprises assembling the winding and spring holder assembly in the rotor core. As described above, the winding of the rotor part can be located within an interior space of the rotor core when the rotating transformer is assembled. Once the winding is arranged around the elongated spring holder, the rotor core can be arranged around the winding-spring assembly such that the winding and the spring holder are both located within the interior of the rotor core, and the rotor core is circumferentially located around the winding and spring holder assembly.

[0039] In 608, method 600 involves releasing the expansion pressure of the spring retainer. Releasing the expansion pressure of the spring retainer allows the retainer to return to its neutral position, thereby increasing the radius of the spring retainer back to the neutral position. Releasing the expansion pressure and the associated increase in the radius of the spring retainer can cause an outward force to be exerted on the winding, pressing the winding against the rotor core and effectively coupling the winding to the rotor core. When the spring is in its neutral position and at its radius, the position of the winding relative to the rotor core can be maintained by a force exerted on the winding. This force can be directed outward toward the rotor core from the inside of the winding.

[0040] In this way, the windings of a rotating transformer can be connected to the core using springs, eliminating the need for adhesives. Without adhesives, the rotating transformer's temperature capacity can be fully utilized, and operation at higher temperatures can lead to a higher transformer power density. Eliminating adhesives reduces overall production costs and cycle time, as adhesives require curing times and complex equipment and installation systems for handling the adhesive chemicals. Furthermore, sustainability can be improved compared to using adhesives, since recycling a spring-loaded mounting at the end of the rotating transformer's life is simpler and does not require the burning process necessary for adhesives.Furthermore, the spring mount can be a repairable part, whereas a rotating transformer must be replaced as a whole if the adhesives fail.

[0041] The revelation also provides support for a separately excited synchronous machine (EESM) comprising a rotating transformer, which includes a ferromagnetic core comprising a rotor core and a stator core, a first winding coupled to the rotor core via a first spring, and a second winding coupled to the stator core via a second spring. In a first example of the system, the first spring and the first winding are located within an interior space of the rotor core. In a second example of the system, which optionally includes the first example, the second spring and the second winding are arranged around an exterior space of the stator core. In a third example of the system, which optionally includes one or both of the first and second examples, the first and second windings are coils made of copper, aluminum, or another conductive material.In a fourth example of the system, which optionally includes one or more or each of the first three examples, the rotor core is a ferromagnetic rotor core and the stator core is a ferromagnetic stator core. In a fifth example of the system, which optionally includes one or more or each of the first four examples, the first and second spring retainers are wire springs. In a sixth example of the system, which optionally includes one or more or each of the first five examples, the first and second spring retainers are foil springs.

[0042] The disclosure also provides support for a method for manufacturing a rotating transformer, comprising: extending a first spring retainer, winding a first winding around the first spring retainer, assembling the first winding and the first spring retainer in a rotor core, releasing the extensional pressure on the first spring retainer, compressing a second spring retainer, moving the second spring retainer over a second winding wound around a stator core, releasing the compressional pressure on the second spring retainer, and assembling the rotor core and the stator core. In a first example of the method, extending the first spring retainer reduces its radius. In a second example of the method, which optionally includes the first example, compressing the second spring retainer increases its radius.In a third example of the method, optionally comprising one or both of the first and second examples, the removal of the strain pressure on the first spring retainer results in a force exerted by the first spring retainer on the first winding. In a fourth example of the method, optionally comprising one or more or each of the first through third examples, the force exerted by the first spring retainer on the first winding maintains a position of the first winding, thereby coupling the first winding to the rotor core. In a fifth example of the method, optionally comprising one or more or each of the first through fourth examples, the force exerted by the first spring retainer on the first winding is directed outwards towards the rotor core.In a sixth example of the method, optionally comprising one or more or each of the first through fifth examples, the removal of the compression pressure on the second spring retainer results in a force exerted by the second spring retainer on the second winding. In a seventh example of the method, optionally comprising one or more or each of the first through sixth examples, the force exerted by the second spring retainer on the second winding maintains a position of the second winding, thereby coupling the second winding to the stator core. In an eighth example of the method, optionally comprising one or more or each of the first through seventh examples, the force exerted on the second winding is directed inwards toward the stator core.

[0043] The disclosure also provides a mounting for a rotating transformer, comprising: a rotating part, wherein the rotating part includes a rotor core coupled to a first winding via a first spring mount, and a static part, wherein the static part includes a stator core coupled to a second winding via a second spring mount. In a first example of the system, the first winding is located within an interior space of the rotor core, and the first spring mount is located within an interior space of the first winding. In a second example of the system, which optionally includes the first example, the second winding is arranged around an exterior space of the stator core, and the second spring mount is arranged around an exterior space of the second winding.In a third example of the system, which optionally includes one or both of the first and second examples, the first spring holder is configured to exert a force on the first winding to couple the first winding to the rotor core, and the second spring holder is configured to exert a force on the second winding to couple the second winding to the stator core.

[0044] The following claims highlight in particular certain combinations and subcombinations that are to be considered novel and not obvious. These claims may refer to "one" element or "a first" element, or the equivalent thereof. Such claims are to be understood as including one or more such elements, with two or more such elements neither required nor excluded. Other combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed features, functions, elements, and / or properties may be claimed by amending the present claims or by filing new claims in this or a related application. Such claims, whether they have a broader, narrower, the same, or different scope than the original claims, are also to be considered as included in the subject matter of the present disclosure.

Claims

[1] Externally excited synchronous machine (EESM), comprising: a rotating transformer, comprising: a ferromagnetic core comprising a rotor core and a stator core; a first winding which is coupled to the rotor core via a first spring; and a second winding, which is coupled to the stator core via a second spring. [2] Externally excited synchronous machine according to claim 1, wherein the first spring and the first winding are arranged within an interior space of the rotor core. [3] Externally excited synchronous machine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second spring and the second winding are arranged around an outer surface of the stator core. [4] Externally excited synchronous machine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second windings are coils made of copper, aluminium or another conductive material. [5] Externally excited synchronous machine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the rotor core is a ferromagnetic rotor core and the stator core is a ferromagnetic stator core. [6] Externally excited synchronous machine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second spring holders are wire springs. [7] Externally excited synchronous machine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second spring holders are foil springs. [8] Rotating transformer, comprising: a rotating part, wherein the rotating part comprises a rotor core coupled to a first winding via a first spring retainer; and a static part, wherein the static part comprises a stator core coupled to a second winding via a second spring holder. [9] Rotating transformer according to claim 8, wherein the first winding is arranged inside an interior space of the rotor core and the first spring holder is arranged inside an interior space of the first winding. [10] Rotating transformer according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the second winding is arranged around an outside of the stator core and the second spring holder is arranged around an outside of the second winding. [11] Rotating transformer according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the first spring holder is configured to exert a force on the first winding to couple the first winding to the rotor core, and the second spring holder is configured to exert a force on the second winding to couple the second winding to the stator core.

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