Axial stator cooling provided b y a plate segment, laminate ring, and lamination

Abstract

A plate segment includes a base portion with protrusions, a slot between adjacent protrusions, first and second cooling apertures at a radial distance. A segmented and non-segment laminate ring are provided. The segmented laminate ring includes the plate segments abutting each other to form a ring. The non-segmented laminate ring includes a base portion with protrusions, a slot between adjacent protrusions, first and second cooling apertures at a radial distance. A lamination includes the segmented or non-segmented laminate ring that are arranged to form an axial cooling channel with an uneven cross section in at least a portion of the lamination. The first and second cooling apertures are different at least in respect to shape, size or orientation.

Description

Docket No. 2024PF00099 AXIAL STATOR COOLING PROVIDED BY A PLATE SEGMENT, LAMINATE RING, AND LAMINATION BACKGROUND

[0001] Generators, and in particular three-phase synchronous generators are often used onpower generation activities to generate grid-suitable electricity using a prime mover such as a gas turbine, steam turbine, wind turbine, hydro turbine, and the like. The generators generally include a stator that remains stationary during operation and a rotor that rotates with respect to the stator. The rotor often includes two or more poles that when rotated interact with the stator to generate the desired current at the desired frequency and voltage.

[0002] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a generator 100 includes a stator 400 and a rotor 200supported for rotation within the stator 400. The stator 400 includes a stator housing 102 that surrounds and substantially encloses a stator core 104. Typically, the stator core 104 is made- up of a number of laminate rings of a relatively thin ferrous material, such as iron or steal. The laminate rings are typically stacked in a longitudinal direction (along a rotational axis) forming a lamination 106. Each laminate ring includes cut outs or is otherwise shaped to define the desired features of the rotor core, including a bore 108 that is sized to receive the rotor 200.

[0003] In some constructions, a stator cooling system 110 is provided to cool the stator 400and improve the efficiency and power density of the stator 400. In some constructions, a cooling gas is employed as a stator coolant. However, larger stators 400 may include liquid cooling such as water cooling.

[0004] The rotor 200 includes a rotor shaft 112, a rotor shaft extension 114, and two retainingrings 116 coupled to the rotor shaft extension 114. The illustrated rotor shaft extension 114 is supported for rotation by a bearing 118 positioned at each end of the rotor 200. A turbine coupling 120 is positioned at one end of the rotor 200 to facilitate connection of the rotor 200 to a turbine (e.g., combustion turbine, steam turbine, hydro turbine, wind turbine, etc.) or to another prime mover. The opposite end of the rotor 200 may include an exciter coupling 122 that allows for connection to an exciter or other rotating equipment.

[0005] The generator 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 is a synchronous generator 100. However,asynchronous generators or motors could include the features described herein.

[0006] FIG. 2 illustrates the rotor 200 of FIG. 1 in greater detail. The rotor shaft 112 includesa series of rotor slots 202 that extend longitudinally along the rotor shaft 112. Rotor windingsDocket No. 2024PF00099 204 are positioned within the rotor slots 202 to define one or more pairs of poles. In the illustrated construction two poles are formed by the rotor windings 204. However, other constructions could include four poles, eight poles or more poles if desired. The rotor 200, sometimes referred to as a field, may also include a commutator 206 that provides a connection to an exciter that provides electrical current at a desired voltage to a stator winding of the stator in order to generate a magnetic field. Alternatively, to the stator winding, the magnetic field may be created by permanent magnets.

[0007] The rotor 200 may also include a rotor cooling system 208 that operates to cool therotor 200. In some constructions, the rotor 200 is air-cooled with other constructions employing another fluid such as hydrogen.

[0008] FIG. 3 illustrates a partial lamination 106 with a number of laminate rings 300 that arestacked on top of each other. Each of the laminate rings 300 includes a securing bore 302 that are aligned in the lamination 106 to accept through bolts that compress and hold the lamination 106 together. Additionally, each of the laminate rings 300 includes a number of radially extending protrusions 304 (also individually referred to as a tooth or a finger), which are evenly spaced circumferentially to define a series of slots 306 that extend the length of the stator core 104 in which stator windings are provided as part of the stator core 104. For large industrial stators it is common for the laminate rings 300 to be formed by a number of pie-shaped plate segments 308 that abut each other, wherein the first edge 310 of a plate segment 308 abuts the second edge 312 of the abutting plate segment 308, and wherein the first edge 312 and second edge 312 bisect a slot 306.

[0009] Turning to FIG. 4, the stator core 104 is illustrated in greater detail. Bars 402 arepositioned within the slots 306 and are electrically connected to one another to define a series of stator windings 404. In the illustrated generator 100, the stator windings 404 are arranged to define three phases. Generally, the three phases are electrically arranged to define a delta- circuit or a Y-circuit as may be desired. Of course, other constructions could include a single phase if desired.

[0010] As part of the stator cooling system 110, each of the bars 402 may include one or morecoolant passages 406 that allow for the flow of coolant along the length of the bar 402.

[0011] In operation, an exciter or other system provides current at a desired voltage to therotor 200. The current flows through the rotor windings 204 or permanent magnets to establish two magnetic poles in a two-pole generator and more poles in higher pole generators. TheDocket No. 2024PF00099 turbine, or other prime mover is coupled to the rotor 200 and operates to rotate the rotor 200 at a desired speed. For a synchronous generator with a two-pole rotor 200, the rotor is rotated at 3600 RPM to generate 60 Hz electricity. For electricity at 50 Hz, the rotor 200 is rotated at 3000 RPM.

[0012] The rotating magnetic field of the rotor 200 interacts with the stator windings 404 ofthe generator to induce an alternating three phase current at a frequency that is proportional to the speed of the rotor 200. Each of the rotor 200 and the stator 400 are cooled to increase the current density of the rotor 200 and the stator 400 while also maintaining a desired efficiency and maintenance interval. BRIEF SUMMARY

[0013] Generator stator cores may be cooled via axial cooling channels through the statorcore. Each axial cooling channel has an equal cross section throughout the respective axial cooling channel. Laminar conditions often occur in small-diameter axial cooling channels or when using viscous coolants, such as oil. Such laminar conditions have a negative effect on the ability to dissipate heat and make it more difficult to transport heat, which can lead to increased temperatures in the stator core. Typically, larger diameter axial cooling channels are not possible since a larger diameter reduces the iron area in a plate segment thus impairing the direction of magnetic flux. This is especially an issue in the protrusions.

[0014] It is an object of the invention to provide an improved axial cooling of the generatorstator core. This object is achieved by forming axial cooling channels with an uneven cross section. The uneven cross section channels can improve heat transfer. The axial cooling channels are formed via different apertures in adjacently stacked plate segments or laminate rings form the axial cooling channel. Wherein different is at least one of a shape, a size, or orientation. This may be achieved via an arrangement of apertures in a plate segment or in a laminate ring.

[0015] In an embodiment, a plate segment is provided that includes a base portion, a numberof securing bores are formed in the base portion, a number of protrusions extend from the base portion, a number of slots each defined between adjacent protrusions, a first cooling aperture formed in the plate segment at a radial distance, and a second cooling aperture formed in the plate segment at the radial distance. The first cooling aperture and the second cooling aperture are formed in at least one of the protrusion or in the base portion. The first cooling aperture andDocket No. 2024PF00099 the second cooling aperture are shaped similarly with different sizes or the first cooling aperture and the second cooling aperture are shaped differently or the first cooling aperture and the second cooling aperture are similarly shaped with different orientations. With the different apertures at the same radial distance, the same plate segment design can form the axial cooling channels, with uneven cross section, in a lamination. Whereby costs may be reduced by avoiding the manufacture of different designs of plate segments to form the axial cooling channels. Furthermore, the complication of stacking the different types of plate segments when forming the lamination may be reduced by not needing different types of plate segments to create the axial cooling channels.

[0016] The first cooling aperture and the second cooling aperture may be a similar shape withdifferent sizes, such as both circles with different circumferences. The first cooling aperture and the second cooling aperture may be different shapes, for example, a circle and a triangle. The shape of the first cooling aperture and the second cooling aperture may be the same but having different orientations, wherein orientation may be a rotation between each other or an offset placement. The differences of the apertures form the uneven axial cooling channel when the plate segments are stacked.

[0017] The plate segment may be sectioned into a number of equal sized sections that eachincludes at least one of the securing bores. The sectioning facilitating a layout to form axial cooling channels, with an uneven cross section, when the plate segments are stacked with different sections overlapping adjacently stacked segments.

[0018] The cooling apertures may be arranged in different ways to achieve the uneven crosssection when stacking the plate segments. Various arrangements are described below.

[0019] According to an arrangement of the cooling apertures, a first of the equal sizedsections includes the first cooling aperture and a second of equal sized sections includes the second cooling aperture. The second cooling aperture is circumferentially spaced, e.g., by a circumferential distance, from the first cooling aperture. The arrangement may further include a number of the first cooling apertures in the first of the equal sized sections, and a number of the second cooling apertures in the second of the equal sized sections, where each of the second cooling apertures is circumferentially spaced, e.g., by a circumferential distance, from a respective first cooling aperture. According to another arrangement of the cooling apertures, the cooling apertures are arranged in pairs, e.g., a first pair and a second pair. The first pair and second pair of cooling apertures are both arranged in the base portion and both include a firstDocket No. 2024PF00099 cooling aperture and a second cooling aperture. The order of the first cooling aperture and the second cooling aperture are mirrored between the first pair and the second pair of cooling apertures. In other words, the second pair of cooling apertures the order of the first cooling aperture and the second cooling aperture are reversed from the order of the first cooling aperture and the second cooling aperture in the first pair of cooling apertures. The pairs may be bounded between a bisection of adjacent slots to facilitate alignment when forming the lamination.

[0020] In an embodiment of a laminate ring, the laminate ring is formed from a number of theplate segments, with the first edges of the plate segments abutting a second edge of an adjacent plate segment. Advantageously a laminate ring for larger devices such as electrical generators may be formed from sections in contrast to a non-segmented ring, which would be difficult and costly to manufacture.

[0021] It would be understood that a non-segmented laminate ring with the features describedabove for the plate segment may be formed to provide axial cooling channel with an uneven cross section. In one such an embodiment, the non-segmented laminate ring includes a rotor bore, a base portion, protrusions extending from the base portion, a first cooling aperture formed in the laminate ring at a radial distance, a second cooling aperture formed in the laminate ring at the radial distance. The first cooling aperture and the second cooling aperture are formed in at least one of the number of protrusion or in the base portion. The first cooling aperture and the second cooling aperture are shaped similarly with different sizes or the first cooling aperture and the second cooling aperture are shaped differently or the first cooling aperture and the second cooling aperture are shaped differently with different orientations. A non-segmented laminate ring may be more cost effective to produce for smaller devices, such as a small drive or small motor.

[0022] The securing bore may be spaced equal distance apart between edges of the respectivesection. Wherein the circumferential distance, at each radial distance, may be proportional to the arc length between securing bores. Thus, it is possible to create the uneven cross section by aligning a bore in a first section with the bore in a second section in axially adjacent plate segments.

[0023] In order to create an uneven cross section in the axial cooling channel of a lamination,the plate segments or laminate rings rotated in relation with each other when axially stacked soDocket No. 2024PF00099 that the first cooling aperture aligns with the second cooling aperture or the first section overlaps the second section.

[0024] In an embodiment of a lamination, a first laminate ring and a second laminate ring areprovided. The second laminate ring is stacked on the first laminate ring such that a first cooling aperture in the first laminate ring aligns with a second cooling aperture in the second laminate ring. In another embodiment of a lamination a first stack and a second stack are provided. The first stack includes laminate rings where the first cooling apertures of each of the laminate rings are aligned within the first stack, wherein a first axial cooling channel with an even cross section is formed. The second stack includes laminate rings where the second cooling apertures of each of the laminate rings are aligned within the second stack, wherein a second axial cooling channel with an even cross section is formed. A third stack includes the first stack and the second stack, wherein the first cooling channel is aligned with the second cooling channel to form an axial cooling channel with an uneven cross section. The number of laminate rings in each of the first stack and second stack is dependent on the desired cross section and may be adjusted accordingly. The number of laminate rings in the first stack may be the same or may be different than the number of laminate rings in the second stack. A number of third stacks may be stacked together to form an axial cooling channel with an uneven cross section from one end of the lamination to the other end or in just one or both end portions of the lamination.

[0025] It would be understood that when forming the lamination that axial cooling does notneed to extend through the entire laminations. For example, it may be only at one or both ends of the lamination. Additionally, it would be understood that variations of alignments between axially stacked laminate rings provides for different cross sections.

[0026] The features of the plate segments, such as the securing bores, slots, and coolingapertures may be formed via a stamping process wherein the metal is pierced whereby shapes are punch out of the metal forming the features.

[0027] The term “same radial distance” refers herein to any portion of the cooling aperturesbeing at the same radial location. One skilled in the art would recognize that the intent is that at least a portion of the cooling apertures are at the same radial distance, thereby are “aligned”, to form a radial cooling channel when the cooling channels are stacked. For example, it is not necessary for the center point of the cooling apertures, also known as an opening, to be at the same location, as long a portion of apertures overlap each other.Docket No. 2024PF00099

[0028] The properties, features and advantages of the invention described above, as well asthe manner in which they are achieved, will be explained in more detail in connection with the figures in the following description of the example and variations thereof. The example and the corresponding variations serve to explain the invention and do not limit the invention to the combinations of features indicated therein, even with respect to functional features. Moreover, any of the features disclosed in the example below may be considered in isolation and suitably combined with the features of any of the above embodiments and their further aspects. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] To easily identify the discussion of any particular element or act, the most significantdigit or digits in a reference number refer to the figure number in which that element is first introduced.

[0030] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a generator taken along the generator centerline,rotational, or longitudinal axis.

[0031] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a rotor suitable for use in the generator of FIG. 1.

[0032] FIG. 3 illustrates a partial stator lamination of the generator of FIG. 1.

[0033] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of a stator suitable for use in the generator ofFIG. 1.

[0034] FIG. 5 illustrates a plate segment of a laminate ring that is compatible with thegenerator of FIG. 1.

[0035] FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of a plate segment that is compatible with thegenerator of FIG. 1.

[0036] FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of a plate segment that is compatible with thegenerator of FIG. 1.

[0037] FIG. 8 illustrates a stack of the plate segments of FIG. 7

[0038] FIG. 9 illustrate cross sections of the axial cooling channel formed by the embodimentof FIG. 8.

[0039] FIG. 10 illustrates a non-segmented laminate ring.

[0040] FIG. 11 illustrates an aspect of the subject matter in accordance with one embodiment.DETAILED DESCRIPTIONDocket No. 2024PF00099

[0041] It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the detailsof construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the prior summary, this description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0042] Various technologies that pertain to systems and methods will now be described withreference to the drawings, where like reference numerals represent like elements throughout. The drawings discussed below, and the various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present disclosure in this patent document are by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any way to limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented in any suitably arranged apparatus. It is to be understood that functionality that is described as being carried out by certain system elements may be performed by multiple elements. Similarly, for instance, an element may be configured to perform functionality that is described as being carried out by multiple elements. The numerous innovative teachings of the present application will be described with reference to exemplary non-limiting embodiments.

[0043] Also, it should be understood that the words or phrases used herein should beconstrued broadly, unless expressly limited in some examples. For example, the terms “including,” “having,” and “comprising,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation. The singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Further, the term “and / or” as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The term “or” is inclusive, meaning and / or, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The phrases “associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like. Furthermore, while multiple embodiments or constructions may be described herein, any features, methods, steps, components, etc. described with regard to one embodiment are equally applicable to other embodiments absent a specific statement to the contrary.Docket No. 2024PF00099

[0044] Also, although the terms "first", "second", "third" and so forth may be used herein torefer to various elements, information, functions, or acts, these elements, information, functions, or acts should not be limited by these terms. Rather these numeral adjectives are used to distinguish different elements, information, functions or acts from each other. For example, a first element, information, function, or act could be termed a second element, information, function, or act, and, similarly, a second element, information, function, or act could be termed a first element, information, function, or act, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0045] In addition, the term "adjacent to" may mean that an element is relatively near to butnot in contact with a further element or that the element is in contact with the further portion, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise. Terms “about” or “substantially” or like terms are intended to cover variations in a value that are within normal industry manufacturing tolerances for that dimension. If no industry standard is available, a variation of twenty percent would fall within the meaning of these terms unless otherwise stated.

[0046] A typical plate segment 308 is illustrated by FIG. 5. The plate segment 308 includes abase portion 502 and protrusions 304 that extend from the base portion 502. A slot 306 is defined between adjacent protrusions 304. The plate segment 308 also includes securing bores 302 that are used to secure adjacently stacked plate segments.

[0047] A variation of a plate segment 600 is illustrated by FIG. 6. In addition to the featuresof the plate segment 308 of FIG. 5, cooling apertures 602, 604, 606 are included to provide an axial cooling channel. According to the illustrated embodiment, each of the cooling apertures 602, 604, 606 that are positioned at the same radial distance 612, 614, 616, relative to a common center point 618 (of the central rotational axis of the rotor), are the same. More specifically, the same size and the same shape. For example, each of the cooling apertures 602 at a radial distance 612 are the same size circle and each of the cooling apertures 604 at radial distance 614 are the same size rounded rectangle. The illustrated cooling apertures 602, 604 are formed in the protrusions 304. Whereas the illustrated cooling apertures 606, that are formed in the base portion 502, at radial distance 616 are each the same size circle.

[0048] When the plate segments 600 are stacked axially to form a lamination, the axialcooling channels are formed by the aligned apertures, at the same radial distance, from theDocket No. 2024PF00099 stacked plate segments 600. Each axial cooling channel has an equal (e.g., uniform) cross section throughout the respective axial cooling channel through the laminate stack.

[0049] FIG. 7 illustrates a further embodiment of a plate segment 700 with apertures toprovide an axial cooling channel, with an uneven cross section, when stacking the plate segments 700. The plate segment 700 includes equally sized adjacent sections including a first section 712 and a second section 714, wherein each section includes a securing bore 302. The securing bore 302 may be spaced equal distance 720 apart between edges of the respective section.

[0050] A first cooling aperture 702 and a second cooling aperture 704 are formed at a firstradial distance 706 and circumferentially spaced apart from each other. A third cooling aperture 716 and a fourth cooling aperture 718 are located at a second radial distance 708 and circumferentially spaced apart from each other. The first radial distance 706 and the second radial distance 708 are based on common center point 710. The first cooling aperture 702 is formed in a protrusion of the first section 712 and the second cooling aperture 704 is formed in a protrusion of the second section 714. The third cooling aperture 716 is formed in the base portion 502 of the first section 712 and the fourth cooling aperture 718 is formed in the base portion 502 of the second section 714.

[0051] FIG. 8 illustrates a laminate stack 800 that is used to form a lamination. The laminatestack includes a number of laminate rings 802 with plate segments 700 arranged in a ring, where a first edge 310 of a plate segment 700 abuts the second edge 312 of adjoining plate segments 700 in the laminate ring 300.

[0052] The laminate stack 800 is formed from the stacking of the plate segments 700 of FIG.7. As the next axial layer 806 of plate segments 700 are stacked on the laminate ring 802, each stacked plate segment 700 is placed offset relative to the first edge 310 or the second edge 312 of the adjacent stack of plate segments 700. The offset is the circumferential distance such that the first section 712 overlaps a second section 714 in the next axial layer of plate segment 700. In other words, the first edges 310 between axial stacked plate segments 700 are not aligned with each other. Because the sizes of at least some of the cooling apertures in each overlapped plate segment are different at the common radial distance (as discussed with respect to Fig. 7), the offset stacking of the laminate rings 802 form an uneven (e.g., non-uniform) axial cooling channel through the laminate stack 800.Docket No. 2024PF00099

[0053] FIG. 9 illustrates a cross section 900 of uneven axial cooling channels overlappingeach other at the same circumferential distance. A first uneven axial cooling channel 902 and a second uneven axial cooling channel 904 are illustrated, each having alternated third cooling aperture 716 and fourth cooling apertures 718. It can be seen that the first uneven axial cooling channel 902 mirrors the second uneven axial cooling channel 904. That is the arrangement of the third cooling aperture 716 and the fourth cooling aperture 718 in the first uneven axial cooling channel 902 is the opposite of the arrangement in the second uneven axial cooling channel 904.

[0054] FIG. 10 illustrates another embodiment of a plate segment 1000. Similarly to theembodiment of FIG. 7, the plate segment 1000 of FIG. 10 divided into equal sections including a first section 712 and a second section 714.

[0055] The cooling apertures are arranged in pairs, first pair of cooling apertures 1002 and asecond first pair of cooling apertures 1004. The first pair of cooling apertures 1002 is arranged within the base portion in the first section 712 and the second pair of cooling apertures 1004 is arranged within the base portion in the second section 714. Both pairs 1002, 1004 include a first cooling aperture 1010 and a second cooling aperture 1012 and both are arranged at the same radial distance 1006. The first pair of cooling apertures 1002 and the second pair of cooling apertures 1004 are spaced apart circumferentially. However, in this embodiment, the orientation / order of same respective sized / shaped cooling apertures 1010, 1012 in each pair are reversed on each section. Thus, the leftmost cooling aperture in the first section 712 (cooling aperture 1010) is a different size (e.g., smaller) than the corresponding leftmost cooling aperture (cooling aperture 1012) in the second section 714.

[0056] A laminate ring and the stacking of plate segment 1000 may be the same as with theplate segment 700, wherein adjacent stacked plate segment 1000 are offset forming an uneven axial cooling channel.

[0057] FIG. 11 illustrates a non-segmented laminate ring 1100. The non-segmented laminatering 1100 includes the features of plate segment 700, 1000 (e.g., securing bores 302, protrusions 304, slots 306, cooling apertures 716, 718), but unlike the segmented laminate ring 802, the non-segmented laminate ring 1100 is formed from a single piece of metal in contrast to plate segments 700, 1000. The inclusion of differently sized / shaped cooling apertures 716, 718, at the same radial distance, enables an uneven axial cooling channel to be formed byDocket No. 2024PF00099 stacking the non-segmented laminate ring 1100 so that the differently sized / shaped cooling apertures are aligned in adjacently stacked rings.

[0058] Although exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been described abovein detail, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, substitutions, variations, and improvements disclosed herein may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure in its broadest form. For example, the apertures forming the axial cooling channel may be different shapes, sizes, orientations that illustrated.

[0059] It would be understood that the cross sections are related to the size, shape, andorientation of the first cooling aperture 702 and the second aperture 704, where the illustration of FIG. 9 is merely an example based on the apertures of FIG. 7 and the specific stacking in FIG. 8, and that other cross sections may be formed using other apertures (shape, size, orientation).

[0060] The present illustration provides that every other stacked plate segment aligns coolingapertures that are different. It would be understood that this is merely for illustration purposes and that the plate segments do not need to alternate every other stacked plate. For example, a first group of plate segments may be stacked with the first cooling apertures aligned, forming an first even cross section and a second group of plate segments may be stacked with second cooling apertures aligned, forming an second even cross section, where the first cross section is different in size, shape, or orientation from the second cross section 900. An uneven cross section can be formed by aligning the first cross section with the second cross section when stacking the first group of plate segments on the second group of plate segments.

[0061] Furthermore, the illustrated plate segment 700 and plate segment 1000 each include 6protrusion 304, whereas one skilled in the art would recognize that more or less number of protrusions 304 may be included in a plate segment. Additionally, plate segment 700 and plate segment 1000 each include two securing bores 302; however, it would be understood that more or less securing bores 302 may be employed. For example, the number of securing bores 302 may be the same as the number of protrusions.

[0062] The number of plate segments 700, plate segment 1000 illustrated in a laminate ring inFIG. 8 and FIG. 11 are merely for illustration. The actual number may be increased or decreased from what is illustrated.

[0063] According to FIG. 7, each of the cooling apertures in the first section 712 are the sameand each of the cooling apertures in the second section 714 are the same, both in shape andDocket No. 2024PF00099 size. This is for illustrative purposes only. It would be understood that the cooling apertures may be different within a section 712, 714. This allows for different configurations of uneven axial cooling channels.

[0064] The pairs of cooling apertures 1002, 1004 are illustrated in the base portion. It wouldbe understood that the pairs may be in a protrusion. It would also be understood that the grouping of a pair of cooling apertures is merely an example and that the grouping may include additional cooling apertures.

[0065] Advantageously, an axial cooling channel with an uneven cross may be easily formedin at least part of a laminate. An improved heat dissipation is provided by the uneven cross section, which can increase performance and / or service life.

[0066] None of the description in the present application should be read as implying that anyparticular element, step, act, or function is an essential element, which must be included in the claim scope: the scope of patented subject matter is defined only by the allowed claims. Moreover, none of these claims are intended to invoke a means plus function claim construction unless the exact words "means for" are followed by a participle.

Claims

Docket No. 2024PF00099 CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A plate segment (700, 1000) comprising: a base portion (502); a plurality of securing bores (302) formed in the base portion; and a plurality of protrusions (304) extending from the base portion (502); a plurality of slots (306) each defined between adjacent protrusions (304); a first cooling aperture (702, 716) formed in the plate segment at a radial distance (706); and a second cooling aperture (704, 718) formed in the plate segment at the same radial distance (706), wherein the first cooling aperture (702, 716) and the second cooling aperture (704, 718) are formed in at least one of the plurality of protrusion (304) or in the base portion (502), wherein the first cooling aperture (702, 716) and the second cooling aperture (704, 718) are shaped similarly with different sizes or the first cooling aperture (702, 716) and the second cooling aperture (704, 718) are shaped differently or the first cooling aperture (702, 716) and the second cooling aperture (704, 718) are similarly shaped with different orientations.

2. The plate segment (700, 1000) of claim 1, comprising: a plurality of equal sized sections (712, 714), each of the equal sized sections comprising at least one of the plurality of securing bores (302), wherein a first of the plurality of equal sized sections (712) comprises the first cooling aperture (702, 716), wherein a second of the plurality of equal sized sections (714) comprises the second cooling aperture (702, 716), and wherein the second cooling aperture (702, 716) is spaced by a circumferential distance the first cooling aperture (702, 716) .

3. The plate segment (700, 1000) of claim 2, wherein the first of the plurality of equal sized sections (712) comprises a plurality of the first cooling apertures (702, 716),Docket No. 2024PF00099 wherein the second of the plurality of equal sized sections (714) comprises a plurality of the second cooling apertures (704, 718), and wherein each of the second cooling apertures (704, 718) is spaced by a circumferential distance from a respective first cooling aperture (702, 716).

4. The plate segment (1000) of claim 1, a plurality of the first cooling apertures (702, 716); a plurality of the second cooling apertures (704, 718); a plurality of equal sized sections (712, 714), each of the equal sized sections comprising at least one of the plurality of securing bores; a first pair of cooling apertures (1002) arranged in the base portion (502), the first pair of cooling apertures 1002 comprising a first one the plurality of the first cooling apertures (702, 716) and a first one of the plurality of second cooling apertures (704, 718) arranged in a first order; and a second pair of cooling apertures (1104) arranged in the base portion (502), the second pair of cooling apertures (1104) comprising a second one of the plurality of the first cooling apertures (702, 716) and a second one of the plurality of the second cooling apertures (704, 718) arranged in an opposite order from the first pair of cooling apertures (1002); wherein a first of the plurality of equal sized sections (712) comprises the first pair of cooling apertures (1002), wherein a second of the plurality of equal sized sections (714) comprises the second pair of cooling apertures (1004), and wherein the second pair of cooling apertures (1004) is spaced by a circumferential distance from the first pair of cooling apertures.

5. The plate segment (1000) of claim 4, wherein the first pair of cooling apertures (1002) are bounded between a bisection of adjacent slots (306), and wherein the second pair of cooling apertures (1004) are bounded between the bisection of adjacent slots (306).

6. The plate segment (700, 1000) of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first cooling aperture (702, 716) and the second cooling aperture are shaped similarly with different sizes.Docket No. 2024PF00099 7. The plate segment (700, 1000)of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first cooling aperture (702, 716) and the second cooling aperture are shaped similarly with different sizes.

8. The plate segment (700, 1000) of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first cooling aperture (702, 716) and the second cooling aperture are similarly shaped with different orientations.

9. A segmented laminate ring (802) comprising: a plurality of the plate segments (700, 1000) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein each plate segment includes a first edge (310) of each plate segment abuts a second edge (312) of an adjacent plate segment to form a ring.

10. A non-segment laminate ring (1100) comprising: a rotor bore (108); a base portion (502); a plurality of protrusions (304) extending from the base portion (502); a first cooling aperture (702, 716) formed in the laminate ring at a radial distance; a second cooling aperture (704, 718) formed in the laminate ring at the radial distance, wherein the first cooling aperture (702, 716) and the second cooling aperture (704, 718) are formed in at least one of the plurality of protrusion or in the base portion, and wherein the first cooling aperture (702, 716) and the second cooling aperture are shaped similarly with different sizes or the first cooling aperture and the second cooling aperture (704, 718) are shaped differently or the first cooling aperture (702, 716) and the second cooling aperture (704, 718) are shaped differently with different orientations.

11. A lamination, comprising: a first laminate ring according to claim 9 or 10; and a second laminate ring according to claim 9 or 10, which is stacked on the first laminate ring; wherein the first cooling aperture in the first laminate ring is aligned with a second cooling aperture (704, 718) in the second laminate ring, wherein an uneven axial cooling channel by the alignments first and second cooling apertures (702, 704, 716, 718).

12. A lamination, comprising:Docket No. 2024PF00099 a first stack comprising a first plurality of laminate rings according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the first cooling apertures (702, 716) of each of the first plurality of laminate rings are aligned within the first stack, wherein a first axial cooling channel with an even cross section is formed; a second stack comprising a second plurality of laminate rings according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the second cooling apertures of each of the second plurality of laminate rings are aligned within the second stack, wherein a second axial cooling channel with an even cross section is formed, a third stack comprising the first stack and the second stack, wherein the first cooling channel is aligned with the second cooling channel forming an axial cooling channel with an uneven cross section.

13. The lamination of claim 12, comprising: a plurality of the third stacks stacked together forming an axial cooling channel with an uneven cross section from one end of the lamination to an opposite end of the lamination.

14. The lamination of claim 11, comprising: a plurality of third stacks stacked together forming an axial cooling channel with an uneven cross section at least an end portion of the lamination.

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