Fiber-reinforced composite material armature winding support structure for superconducting machines

Abstract

Fiber Reinforced Composite Armature Coil Support Structure for Electric Conductive Machine 【Solution】 The rotating machine includes a field winding assembly and an armature winding assembly having a plurality of winding modules. Each of the plurality of winding modules includes a plurality of conductive coils and one or more armature winding support structures. The armature winding support structure includes a body and a plurality of slots defined between adjacent teeth extending radially from the body. The plurality of slots accommodate and support a subset of the plurality of conductive coils therein. The armature winding support structure further includes a plurality of support bars disposed within the body and a fiber reinforced composite structure fixed around each of the plurality of winding modules.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to superconducting machines, and more particularly to an armature winding support structure for superconducting machines.

Background Art

[0002] Wind turbines have attracted attention as an environmentally safe and relatively inexpensive alternative energy source. Along with this increasing interest, significant efforts have been made to develop wind turbines with excellent reliability and efficiency. Generally, a wind turbine includes a plurality of rotor blades coupled to the main shaft of the turbine via a rotor hub. The rotor hub is disposed on a tubular tower or base. Utility-grade wind turbines (i.e., wind turbines designed to supply power to a utility grid) may have large rotors (such as those with a diameter of 100 m or more). The rotor blades convert the energy of the wind into rotational torque or force to drive a generator, which is rotationally coupled to the rotor.

[0003] Low-reactance machines (such as superconducting generators) are being considered for use in wind turbine installations, particularly offshore installations. In such machines, the low reactance is a natural result of the air-gap winding (described below), and high forces and torques are generated in the armature winding during abnormal events such as electrical faults in the winding or equipment connected to the winding. These higher forces and torques need to be managed so that destructive movement of the winding conductors does not occur. These machines use an assembly of superconducting field windings and armature coils, a cooling system, and non-magnetic teeth disposed between the coils of the armature. In certain designs, a superconducting generator includes an armature assembly winding that rotates within a superconducting field assembly, and a cryostat having superconducting field coils inside the cryostat, which is different from the configuration of conventional machines (e.g., conventional non-superconducting generators).

[0004] Furthermore, the armature windings of rotating electrical machines such as motors and generators are typically embedded in an iron structure (such as a magnetic core) that includes axial slots for receiving the conductors that make up the armature windings. The iron structure is configured to improve the performance of the electrical machine and provide mechanical support to the windings. In an electrical machine that employs a superconducting coil for the field winding, the magnetic field in the air gap between the superconducting coil and the armature winding may be strong enough to magnetically saturate the teeth of its magnetic core. In such cases, it is common to remove the portion of the magnetic core closest to the field coil, leaving only an annular ring. The armature winding without the magnetic material can be attached to the annular ring in the space between the ring and the field coil. In this case, the winding may be referred to as an air gap winding.

[0005] In some cases, air gap windings may be associated with certain problems. For example, the magnetic forces that generate braking torque on the rotor typically act on the iron teeth that include the armature winding. However, in the case of an air gap winding, these magnetic forces act on the conductor itself. Furthermore, the absence of teeth means that the support of the coil must be achieved by other means. A fundamental principle for designing and manufacturing a reliable armature winding is to minimize or eliminate the space within the assembly so that no vibration or movement (other than thermal expansion) occurs. If space is available, the conductor will ultimately move into that space. Also, movement leads to wear, the creation of space, and failure.

[0006] In particular, armature windings are subject to multiple sources of movement that can lead to winding failure, such as thermal expansion, normal vibration, and fault forces. Thermal expansion forces are imposed every time the power generated by the generator is changed. The higher the power output, the greater the current in the winding, the greater the losses, and the higher the temperature. This temperature rise causes the winding to expand most significantly in the axial direction. The thermal forces driving this expansion are inevitable but can be accurately calculated and applied over a period of seconds to minutes. Normal vibration of the winding results from magnetic forces acting directly on the conductors and is orders of magnitude less than thermal forces but occurs at twice the electrical frequency. Fault forces occur very rarely and unexpectedly. However, when a fault force occurs, its magnitude can be 100 times that of the thermal force and can be high enough to damage the insulation of the armature conductors or displace those conductors from their normal positions.

[0007] In view of the above, the art has continuously sought new and improved generators, particularly armature winding support structures for superconducting generators.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0008]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0009] Aspects and advantages of the present invention are described in part in the following description, may become apparent from the description, or may be learned through the practice of the present invention.

[0010] In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a rotating machine. The rotating machine includes a field winding assembly and an armature winding assembly having a plurality of winding modules. Each of the plurality of winding modules includes a plurality of conductive coils and one or more armature winding support structures. The armature winding support structure includes a body and a plurality of slots defined between adjacent teeth extending radially from the body. The plurality of slots accommodate and support a subset of the plurality of conductive coils therein. The armature winding support structure further includes a plurality of support bars disposed within the body and a fiber-reinforced composite structure fixed around each of the plurality of winding modules.

[0011] In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to an armature winding assembly. The armature winding assembly includes a plurality of winding modules. Each of the plurality of winding modules includes a plurality of conductive coils and one or more armature winding support structures. The armature winding support structure includes a body and a plurality of slots defined between adjacent teeth extending radially from the body. The plurality of slots accommodate and support a subset of the plurality of conductive coils therein. The armature winding support structure further includes a plurality of support bars disposed within the body and a fiber-reinforced composite structure fixed around each of the plurality of winding modules.

[0012] The above and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by reference to the following detailed description and claims. The accompanying drawings, which are a part of this specification, illustrate various embodiments of the present invention and, together with the detailed description, serve to explain the principles of the technology.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013] In the following detailed description of the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. The invention will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, including the best mode contemplated.

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[0014] Reference numerals repeatedly used in this specification and the drawings represent the same or similar features or components of the present invention.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail, and one or more examples thereof will be shown in the drawings. Each example is not intended to limit the present invention, but rather to illustrate the present invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes can be made to the present invention without departing from the technical scope and technical idea of the present invention. For example, features exemplified or described as part of one embodiment can be used in combination with another embodiment to form yet another embodiment. Therefore, the present invention encompasses modifications and changes that fall within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0016] Terms such as "coupling", "fixing", or "mounting" mean not only direct coupling, fixing, or mounting, but also indirect coupling, fixing, or mounting through one or more intermediate components or features, unless otherwise specified in this specification.

[0017] Generally, the present disclosure relates to a rotating machine having a field winding assembly and an armature winding assembly having a plurality of winding modules. Each of the plurality of winding modules includes a plurality of conductive coils and a plurality of armature winding support structures. Each armature winding support structure includes a body, a plurality of slots defined between adjacent teeth extending radially from the body, a plurality of support bars disposed within the body, and a fiber-reinforced composite structure fixed around each of the plurality of winding modules. The plurality of slots accommodate and support a subset of the plurality of conductive coils therein.

[0018] Thus, in an embodiment, the armature winding assembly is arranged, for example, to generate alternating N and S magnetic poles on the surface of a rotatable component. In an embodiment, each pair of N / S poles, referred to herein as a winding module, may typically include a magnetic core manufactured from thin iron laminations and compressed by several axial compression studs. Further, the winding module includes a set of conductive coils connected to generate a north magnetic effect and a south magnetic effect, electrical insulation around those conductive coils, cooling passages, and / or filler material. Further, in one embodiment, the winding module may include coil wedges, a non-metallic coil cover structure protruding inside between the coils across the entire effective length of the winding, and a fiber-reinforced composite band for accommodating module components.

[0019] Accordingly, the present disclosure provides many advantages not present in the prior art. For example, by appropriately configuring the conductive coil, the axial wedge blocks, the cooling channels, and / or the full-length radial teeth, it is possible to eliminate the space within the winding module that enables the movement of the conductive coil. Further, considering that some embodiments of the present disclosure may be considerably larger compared to conventional generators with similar electrical ratings, it must be anticipated that the accumulation of small deflections in large structures, or slight variations in the size of the assembly, can lead to excessive clearances within the windings. For example, the slower the rotation of the generator, the larger the generator needs to be for the same power and torque. As an example, the rotor diameter of a high-speed (such as 3600 rpm) generator is typically about 0.3 m to about 1.2 m. Larger ones will be subject to excessive mechanical stress. Thus, a low-speed (about 8 rpm) wind turbine has a rotor diameter of the order of 5 to 10 m, which is orders of magnitude larger than conventional generators. However, the banding of the present disclosure, by being arranged around just two poles of the winding assembly, more effectively limits the clearances that might otherwise accumulate. Thus, in embodiments, the banding arranged around a portion of the winding module can ensure that its tight packing remains in place, thereby providing effective and reliable support for the armature coil. Further, the use of fiber-reinforced composite bands is cost-effective and can automate the manufacturing process of the winding module to achieve uniform application of the fiber-reinforced composite bands and ensure a reliable product.

[0020] In further embodiments, the individual winding modules may be removable for service and / or replacement from rotating components while the generator is assembled on top of the wind turbine. In particular, in embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a winding module in which all the contents of the module (e.g., iron laminations, conductive coils, cooling channels, non-metallic supports, etc.) are completely contained within that module. Such containment facilitates the removal of the winding module from the rotating components and makes servicing and replacement easier.

[0021] Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a wind turbine 10. As described above, although the present disclosure is not limited to such use, it relates to a generator particularly suitable for use in a wind turbine 10. FIG. 1 depicts the installation of an “on-land” (onshore) wind turbine 10, but it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to on-land wind turbines and is equally applicable to “offshore” (offshore) wind turbine installations.

[0022] Superconducting generators are depicted in the figures and described herein, but it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to superconducting generators and is applicable to any generator configuration having rotating components. For example, the generator may be configured such that the armature winding assembly rotates around a stationary field assembly. In another generator configuration, the field assembly may rotate around a fixed armature winding assembly. In yet another alternative generator configuration, the generator may include a rotating permanent magnet field with a less expensive permanent magnet material.

[0023] Referring to FIG. 1, the wind turbine 10 includes a tower 12 extending from a support surface 14, a nacelle 16 attached to the tower 12, and a rotor 18 coupled to the nacelle 16. The rotor 18 includes a rotatable hub 20 and one or more rotor blades 22 coupled to the hub 20 and extending outwardly from the hub 20. For example, in the embodiment shown in the figure, the rotor 18 has three rotor blades 22. In another embodiment, the rotor 18 includes less than three or more than three rotor blades 22. Each rotor blade 22 is spaced apart around the hub 20 so that the rotor 18 can be rotated to transfer the kinetic energy from the wind into mechanical energy, and thus electrical energy, that can be used. For example, the hub 20 is rotatably coupled to a generator (not shown) disposed within the nacelle 16 to enable the generation of electrical energy.

[0024] Referring now to FIG. 2, an internal perspective view of an embodiment of nacelle 16 having a superconducting generator 23 housed therein according to the present disclosure is shown. Also as shown in the figure, support tube 40 is directly connected to hub 20 and supports armature winding assembly 24. Thus, armature winding assembly 24 is considered a rotating component of generator 23 having a first electromagnetic component configuration that rotates around a stationary field magnet assembly 26 having a second electromagnetic component configuration such as superconducting field winding assembly 26, in the form of a conductive coil 27 (having end turns 28).

[0025] Stationary field magnet assembly 26 includes superconducting coils 63, which may be a group of wires formed in a racetrack shape. As used herein, the “racetrack” shape generally refers to a two-dimensional shape composed of a rectangle or square having semi-circles at a pair of opposing ends. Thus, in one embodiment, superconducting coils 63 are constrained to maintain the shape of a racetrack. Further, as shown in the figure, each superconducting coil 63 is supported in a recess / passage 83 within casing 71, which may be cooled to cryogenic temperatures by a helium bath or by any other method known in the cryogenic art. Thus, casing 71 may be supported by cryostat housing 56 fixed to base tube 44. Thus, as shown in the embodiment of the figure, mount 47 may support base tube 44 within nacelle 16.

[0026] Referring still to FIG. 2, superconducting coils 63 may be arranged side by side in an annular array extending around casing 71. For example, in an embodiment, 36 coils may form an annular array of field windings that function as the stator field windings of generator 23. Further, in an embodiment, superconducting coils 63 may each be formed of (NbTi or other superconducting) wire helically wrapped around a racetrack form that may include a helium cooling conduit.

[0027] In a further embodiment, the cryogenic condensers 60, 64 can be housed in the nacelle 16 on condition that the cryogenic coolant in the condensers 60, 64 rises at least partially above the superconducting field windings to provide a gravitational supply of cryogen to the windings. Alternatively, the condensers 60, 64 may be mounted on top of the nacelle 16.

[0028] Referring now to FIG. 3, a cross-section of an embodiment of a superconducting generator 23 is shown with an annular rotating armature winding assembly 24 ("armature 24") radially inside the static magnetic field assembly 26. In particular, as shown in the figure, the armature 24 is essentially an inner annular ring configuration (FIG. 4) that rotates within the static field magnet assembly 26. The armature 24 includes conductive coils 27, for example, coils or bars, which are arranged longitudinally along the length of the armature 24 and are disposed on the inner cylindrical surface of the armature 24. The conductive coils 27 may be connected to each other at opposite ends by conductive end turns 28. The end turn connections 28 between the longitudinal conductive coils 27 depend on their number and arrangement, and the phase of the electricity generated by the conductive coils 27. The inner cylindrical surface of the armature winding is separated from the outer surface of the fixed field magnet assembly 26 by a narrow air gap, for example, about 10 - 25 mm.

[0029] Thus, in an embodiment, the armature 24 can be configured to rotate with a generator rotor 25 (FIG. 4) having a rotating electromagnetic component configuration (e.g., conductive coils 27 and end turns 28), while the static magnetic field assembly 26 may constitute a stationary component (superconducting coil 63 (FIG. 2)) having a stationary electromagnetic component configuration.

[0030] Generally referring to FIGS. 3-8, the armature 24 includes a cylindrical yoke or body 30 (referred to as the "body" herein) that supports the conductive coil 27. In particular, the conductive coil 27 is included in slots 110 (FIGS. 5-6) defined between adjacent teeth 106 that extend radially from the body 30. Also, the body 30 and the teeth 106 may be in a laminated structure. For example, in an embodiment, the laminated structure of the body 30 may include sheets of magnetic steel (e.g., about 0.5 mm thick) for generally recognized electromagnetic purposes. Further, in an embodiment, the teeth 106 may include a layer of glass fibers or other suitable structure of non-metallic material formed to form their shape. The inner surface of the body 30 is fixed to a cylindrical housing 29 that rotates with the armature 24. The housing 29 is fitted into a circular disk 34 that supports the housing 29 and the armature 24.

[0031] The circular disk 34 is fixed to a rotating cylindrical support tube 40. On the outer surface of the support tube 40, a slip ring assembly 41 having contacts for each phase of the alternating current power generated by the generator 23 is provided. The slip ring 41 is electrically coupled to the conductive coil 27 of the rotating armature 24 and rotates with the support tube 40. A fixed connection, such as a carbon brush (not shown), conducts the electricity from the slip ring 41 and the armature 24 to a wire conductor that extends to an electronic power converter and a step-up transformer before going down the tower and is coupled to a power utility grid, a factory, or other power load.

[0032] A pair of annular bearings 42 are arranged towards both ends of the support tube 40 and rotatably support the support tube 40 on a fixed base tube 44 attached to a mount 47 supported by the floor of the nacelle 16.

[0033] The cryostat housing 56 can insulate the superconducting coil and cool the superconducting coil to near absolute zero, for example, to 10 Kelvin (K) or less, preferably to 4K. To cool the winding, the cryostat housing 56 may include one or more insulated conduits 58 for receiving liquid helium (He) or other similar cryogenic liquids (referred to as cryogens). The conventional two-stage recondenser 60 is mounted on the upper region of the nacelle 16, the upper part of the nacelle 16, or the upper part of the tower 12, and above the field winding, and uses gravity feed to supply cryogenic substances, such as liquid He. The second recondenser 64 supplies a second coolant, such as liquid nitrogen or neon, to the internal thermal shield of the cryostat housing 56 via a conduit 66.

[0034] Referring now to FIGS. 4-12, various components of an embodiment of a fiber-reinforced composite armature winding support 100 for an armature winding assembly 24 according to aspects of the present disclosure are illustrated. In particular, as shown in FIG. 4, a front view of an embodiment of an armature winding assembly 24 of a generator 23 according to the present disclosure is shown. More specifically, as shown in the figure, the generator 23 includes a non-rotating component that supports a field winding assembly, such as a stationary field assembly 26, and a rotatable component, such as a generator rotor 25 having an armature winding assembly 24 attached thereto, and is oriented to rotate relative to the stationary field assembly 26 during operation of the generator 23. Thus, in one embodiment, for example, the armature winding assembly 24 is fixedly coupled to the generator rotor 25 so as to rotate therewith during operation of the generator 23.

[0035] As described above, the armature winding assembly 24 includes a plurality of conductive coils 27. More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 4-6, the armature winding device 24 has a plurality of winding modules 102. Each of the plurality of winding modules 102 includes a plurality of conductive coils 27 and one or more armature winding support structures 103. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the plurality of winding modules 102 are circumferentially arranged around a rotatable component (i.e., the generator rotor 25). In certain embodiments, for example, each of the plurality of winding modules 102 may extend for about 10 degrees to about 20 degrees, such as about 18 degrees, of the circumference of the armature winding assembly 24.

[0036] Referring particularly to FIGS. 5 and 6, two axial cross-sections of one of the winding modules 102 are illustrated. For clarity, FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a winding module 102 having six conductive coils 27, but it should be understood that the winding modules 102 described herein may include any suitable number of conductive coils 27, such as 24 or more. Further, FIG. 5 shows a cross-section in which the module components are encompassed by a fiber-reinforced composite band 114 as described herein without being attached to the generator rotor 25, while FIG. 6 shows a different cross-section in that the winding module 102 is fixed to the generator rotor 25, for example, via a double-tail connection 128.

[0037] As generally shown in FIGS. 5-8, the armature winding support structure 103 includes a body 104 that may be composed of one or more iron laminations. Further, FIG. 5 shows a front view of one embodiment of a winding module 102 having a body 104 with a first iron lamination configuration, while FIG. 6 shows a front view of another embodiment of a winding module 102 having a body 104 with a different second iron lamination. In particular, the body 104 illustrated in FIG. 7 has a support structure 126 radially disposed between the body 104 and the generator rotor 25, while FIG. 8 lacks the support structure 126 and is used in the region wrapped by the fiber-reinforced composite band 114 described herein.

[0038] Also, as shown in the figure, the armature winding support structure 103 includes a plurality of slots 110 defined between adjacent teeth 106 extending radially from the main body 104. For example, as shown in the figure, the adjacent teeth 106 may include a plurality of wedge teeth disposed in a plurality of recesses 120 (FIGS. 7-8) formed in the main body 104 so as to provide lateral (tangential direction) support to the conductive coil 27. In such an embodiment, as shown in the figure, the plurality of slots 110 accommodate and support a subset of the plurality of conductive coils 27 therein.

[0039] Also, in one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5-6 and FIGS. 9-10, each winding module 102 may include a coil cover structure 124 extending around a plurality of conductive coils 27 inside the fiber-reinforced composite material structure 112. Thus, in the embodiment, the conductive coil 27 may be disposed on the outer surface of the main body 104 between the teeth 106. In another embodiment, the coil cover structure 124 may include a plurality of full-length non-metallic coil caps that can be inserted over and between the radially outer portions of the conductive coils 27. Thus, in one embodiment, the coil cover structure 124 can be formed or machined from a suitable material having a peripheral span of two or more conductive coils 27. Thus, the coil caps can be distinguished from the wedge teeth 106 that occupy only a single space between the conductive coils 27.

[0040] Also, as shown in FIGS. 5, 9, and 10, each winding module 102 includes a fiber-reinforced composite structure 112 fixed around each of the plurality of winding modules 102. For example, in an embodiment, as shown in the figures, the fiber-reinforced composite structure 112 may include one or more fiber-reinforced composite bands 114, such as the plurality of fiber-reinforced composite bands 114 shown in FIG. 9. Thus, as shown in FIG. 9, the fiber-reinforced composite band 114 can be wound around an individual body 104 and a subset of the plurality of conductive coils 27 and cured thereon to form one of the winding modules 102. In particular, FIG. 9 shows a side view of one of the winding modules 102, where some band portions are scattered with portions for attachment to the generator rotor 25. In this way, the proportion of the length supported by the fiber-reinforced composite band 114 and the proportion attached to the generator 25 can be determined such that all mechanical forces are appropriately considered.

[0041] In certain embodiments, the fiber-reinforced composite band 114 may be composed of, for example, glass fiber or carbon fiber. In such embodiments, the fiber-reinforced composite band 114 does not prevent axial expansion due to thermal forces. Rather, the fiber-reinforced composite band 114 acts without restraint and can restrain the conductive coil 27 against radial and tangential movement. In this way, in an embodiment, the forces driving its movement are the load torque, normal operating vibrations, and / or fault forces.

[0042] In a further embodiment, as shown in the figures, each winding module 102 includes a plurality of support bars 108 disposed within the body 104. In such embodiments, the support bars 108 may be composed of, for example, metal or metal alloy. Thus, in an embodiment, the support bars 108 may include a set of full-length axial members (hereinafter "key bars") in the radially inner portion of the winding module 102, whereby the forces acting on the band portion of the module 102 can be axially transmitted to the portion attached to the generator rotor 25.

[0043] In a further embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5-6 and 9-10, the armature winding support structure 103 may also include one or more axially extending studs 116 for applying compression to each winding module 102. Thus, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the body 104 of the armature winding support structure 103 may include one or more through holes 122 for receiving the axially extending studs 116.

[0044] Also, in one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5-6 and 9-10, each winding module 102 may further include one or more cooling channels 118 disposed between each conductive coil 27. In such an embodiment, the cooling channels are configured to remove heat from the conductive coils 27.

[0045] Referring particularly to FIGS. 10 and 11, the tangential force F θ and the radial force F R exerted on the winding module 102 of FIGS. 5 and 6, respectively, are shown. Such forces are mostly uniform over the axial effective length of the winding module 102, such that the forces are also exerted on the banded and non-banded sections. Thus, in an embodiment, the wedge teeth 106 and the non-metallic coil cover structure 124 are configured to transfer the force from the non-banded section to the adjacent banded section.

[0046] Further, referring to FIG. 12, a set of exemplary free body diagrams is shown illustrating how the radial forces on the winding module 102 described herein are ultimately transmitted to the generator rotor 25. In particular, as shown in the figure, the various arrows indicate the radial forces between the conductive coil 27, the support bar 108, and the body 104 of one winding module 102.

[0047] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various features can be replaced from various embodiments. Similarly, those skilled in the art can appropriately combine and adapt various method steps and features described herein, as well as known equivalents of those methods and features, to configure additional systems and techniques in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. Depending on the particular embodiment, not all of the above-described objectives or advantages are necessarily achieved. For example, it will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that the systems and techniques described herein can be embodied or implemented such that one or more of the advantages taught or suggested herein are achieved or optimized without necessarily achieving any of the other objectives or advantages taught or suggested herein.

[0048] Additional aspects of the present invention are set forth in the following embodiment sections. [Embodiment Section 1] A rotating machine, the rotating machine comprising a field winding assembly, an armature winding assembly including a plurality of winding modules, each of the plurality of winding modules including a plurality of conductive coils and one or more armature winding support structures, and one or more armature winding support structures comprising a body, a plurality of slots defined between adjacent teeth extending radially from the body and accommodating and supporting a subset of the plurality of conductive coils therein, a plurality of support bars disposed within the body, and a fiber-reinforced composite structure fixed around each of the plurality of winding modules. The rotating machine. [Embodiment Section 2] The rotating machine according to Embodiment Section 1, wherein the body is composed of one or more magnetic laminations. [Embodiment Section 3] The plurality of support bars are made of metal or metal alloy, and one or more of the plurality of support bars extend along the entire axial length of one of the plurality of winding modules to axially transmit the force acting on the fiber-reinforced composite structure to the rotatable parts of the rotating machine. The rotating machine according to any one of Embodiment Item 1 or Embodiment Item 2. [Embodiment Item 4] The rotating machine according to any one of Embodiment Items 1 to 3, wherein the fiber-reinforced composite structure includes one or more fiber-reinforced composite bands. [Embodiment Item 5] The rotating machine according to Embodiment Item 4, wherein one or more fiber-reinforced composite bands are composed of one or more of glass fiber, synthetic fiber, polymer fiber, wood fiber, ceramic fiber, metal fiber, carbon fiber or a combination thereof. [Embodiment Item 6] The rotating machine according to any one of Embodiment Items 1 to 5, wherein the fiber-reinforced composite structure wraps around the body and a subset of the plurality of conductive coils and cures thereon to form one of the plurality of winding modules. [Embodiment Item 7] The rotating machine according to any one of Embodiment Items 1 to 6, wherein each of the plurality of winding modules further includes one or more axially extending studs for applying compression to each winding module. [Embodiment Item 8] The rotating machine according to any one of Embodiment Items 1 to 7, wherein each of the plurality of winding modules further includes one or more cooling channels disposed adjacent to or inside the plurality of conductive coils. [Embodiment Item 9] The rotating machine according to any one of Embodiment Items 1 to 8, wherein adjacent teeth include a plurality of wedge teeth disposed in a plurality of recesses formed in the body. [Embodiment Item 10] The rotating machine according to Embodiment Item 9, further comprising a coil cover structure extending around the plurality of conductive coils within the fiber-reinforced composite structure. [Embodiment Item 11] The rotating machine according to any one of Embodiment Items 1 to 10, wherein each of a plurality of winding modules extends approximately 10 degrees to approximately 20 degrees in the circumference of the armature winding assembly. [Embodiment Item 12] The rotating machine according to any one of Embodiment Items 1 to 11, wherein at least one of the field winding assembly and the armature winding assembly is a superconducting winding assembly having a superconducting coil. [Embodiment Item 13] An armature winding assembly, wherein the armature winding assembly is a plurality of winding modules, and each of the plurality of winding modules includes a plurality of conductive coils and one or more armature winding support structures and includes a main body, a plurality of slots defined between adjacent teeth extending radially from the main body, and accommodating and supporting a subset of the plurality of conductive coils therein a plurality of support bars disposed within the main body, and a fiber-reinforced composite structure fixed around each of the plurality of winding modules and includes the armature winding assembly. [Embodiment Item 14] The armature winding assembly according to Embodiment Item 13, wherein the main body is composed of one or more magnetic laminations. [Embodiment Item 15] The armature winding assembly according to any one of Embodiment Item 13 or Embodiment Item 14, wherein the plurality of support bars are made of a metal or a metal alloy, and one or more of the plurality of support bars extend over the entire axial length of one of the plurality of winding modules to axially transmit the force acting on the fiber-reinforced composite structure to the rotatable component of the rotating machine. [Embodiment Item 16] The armature winding assembly according to any one of Embodiment Items 13 to 15, wherein the fiber-reinforced composite structure includes one or more fiber-reinforced composite bands, and the one or more fiber-reinforced composite bands are composed of one or more of glass fiber, synthetic fiber, polymer fiber, wood fiber, ceramic fiber, metal fiber, carbon fiber, or a combination thereof. [Embodiment Item 17] The armature winding assembly according to any one of Embodiment Items 13 to 16, wherein the fiber-reinforced composite structure wraps around the body and a subset of the plurality of coils, and is cured thereon to form one of the plurality of winding modules. [Embodiment Item 18] The armature winding assembly according to any one of Embodiment Items 13 to 17, wherein each of the plurality of winding modules further includes one or more axially extending studs for applying compression to each winding module. [Embodiment Item 19] The armature winding assembly according to any one of Embodiment Items 13 to 18, wherein adjacent teeth include a plurality of wedge teeth disposed in a plurality of recesses formed in the body, and the armature winding support structure further includes a coil cover structure extending around the plurality of coils inside the fiber-reinforced composite structure. [Embodiment Item 20] The armature winding assembly according to any one of Embodiment Items 13 to 19, wherein each of the plurality of winding modules extends approximately 10 degrees to approximately 20 degrees around the circumference of the armature winding assembly.

[0049] In this specification, the present invention has been disclosed including the best mode, and has been described by using examples in order to enable those skilled in the art to implement the present invention starting from the manufacture, use of the device or system, and implementation of the method. The scope having the patentability of the present invention is defined by the claims, and also includes other examples that are obvious to those skilled in the art. Such other examples belong to the technical scope described in the claims if they have components that have no difference in wording from the claims, or have equivalent components that have only non-essential differences from the wording of the claims.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0050] 23 Generator 24 Armature winding assembly 25 Generator rotor 26 Field winding assembly 27 Conductive coil 100 Armature winding support 102 Winding module 104 Body 110 Slot 108 Support bar 112 Fiber-reinforced composite structure 114 Fiber-reinforced composite band 118 Cooling channel

Claims

1. A rotating machine, wherein the rotating machine comprises a field winding assembly, and an armature winding assembly including a plurality of winding modules, each of the plurality of winding modules including a plurality of conductive coils and one or more armature winding support structures and wherein the one or more armature winding support structures comprise a body, a plurality of slots defined between adjacent teeth extending radially from the body and accommodating and supporting a subset of the plurality of conductive coils therein, a plurality of support bars disposed within the body, and a fiber-reinforced composite structure fixed around each of the plurality of winding modules A rotating machine.

2. The rotating machine according to claim 1, wherein the body is composed of one or more magnetic laminations.

3. The rotating machine according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of support bars are composed of metal or metal alloy, and one or more of the plurality of support bars extend along the entire axial length of one of the plurality of winding modules to axially transmit the force acting on the fiber-reinforced composite structure to the rotatable parts of the rotating machine.

4. The rotating machine according to claim 1, wherein the fiber-reinforced composite structure includes one or more fiber-reinforced composite bands.

5. The rotating machine according to claim 4, wherein the one or more fiber-reinforced composite bands are composed of one or more of glass fiber, synthetic fiber, polymer fiber, wood fiber, ceramic fiber, metal fiber, carbon fiber or combinations thereof.

6. The rotating machine according to claim 1, wherein the fiber-reinforced composite structure wraps around and cures on the body and a subset of the plurality of conductive coils to form one of the plurality of winding modules.

7. The rotating machine according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of winding modules further comprises one or more axially extending studs for applying compression to each winding module.

8. The rotating machine according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of winding modules further comprises one or more cooling channels disposed adjacent to or within the plurality of conductive coils.

9. The rotating machine according to claim 1, wherein the adjacent teeth comprise a plurality of wedge teeth disposed within a plurality of recesses formed in the body.

10. The rotating machine according to claim 9, further comprising a coil cover structure extending around the plurality of conductive coils within the fiber-reinforced composite structure.

11. The rotating machine according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of winding modules extends approximately 10 degrees to approximately 20 degrees in the circumference of the armature winding assembly.

12. The rotating machine according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the field winding assembly and the armature winding assembly is a superconducting winding assembly having a superconducting coil.

13. An armature winding assembly, wherein the armature winding assembly is a plurality of winding modules, each of the plurality of winding modules including a plurality of conductive coils and one or more armature winding support structures and includes a main body, a plurality of slots defined between adjacent teeth extending radially from the main body and accommodating and supporting a subset of the plurality of conductive coils therein, a plurality of support bars disposed within the main body, and a fiber-reinforced composite structure fixed around each of the plurality of winding modules An armature winding assembly.

14. The armature winding assembly according to claim 13, wherein the main body is composed of one or more magnetic laminations.

15. The armature winding assembly according to claim 13, wherein the plurality of support bars are made of metal or metal alloy, and one or more of the plurality of support bars extend along the entire axial length of one of the plurality of winding modules to axially transmit the force acting on the fiber-reinforced composite structure to the rotatable component of the rotating machine.

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