Angled Rotor Winding Support Structure for Centrifugal Force Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Centrifugal forces cause rotor windings in electric generators to tumble during operation, leading to undesirable characteristics and instability in the magnetic field, which affects the generator's performance.

Innovation Solution

The use of a rotor winding support structure with a surface angled relative to the axis of rotation, which increases resistance to outward movement of magnet wires, maintaining the winding bundle in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation and preventing bundling at the outer diameter.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If rotor winding is used to produce magnetic field, then generator functionality is achieved, but centrifugal forces cause winding to tumble outward during rotation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegenerator functionalityVSAvoidwinding position stability
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

A support structure with an angled surface acts as an intermediary between the rotor winding and the centrifugal forces. The angled surface provides mechanical support that counteracts the outward tumbling tendency of the winding during rotation, allowing the generator to function while maintaining winding stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure introduces a geometric dimension (angled surface) that transforms the interaction between the winding and centrifugal forces. By positioning the winding on an angled surface rather than a flat or radial surface, the structure creates a component of force that resists outward movement, stabilizing the winding in the rotational dimension.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of manufacture

If rotor winding is allowed to move freely during rotation, then ease of assembly is improved, but magnetic field directionality becomes unstable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly easeVSAvoidmagnetic field stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The angled surface of the support structure changes the geometric parameters of the winding arrangement. This angular configuration inherently provides stability against centrifugal forces while maintaining simplicity in assembly, as the winding naturally settles into the angled groove during the assembly process without requiring complex positioning mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution effectively maintains the positioning of the rotor winding bundle, enhancing resistance to centrifugal forces and ensuring stable magnetic field directionality, thereby improving the generator's operational characteristics.

Implementation Method 1

The use of a rotor winding support structure with a surface angled relative to the axis of rotation, which increases resistance to outward movement of magnet wires

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2662955B1Winding assembly for a rotor in an electric machine and method of positioning the winding assembly
Publication Date: 2021.11.17 HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORP
  • EP2662955B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2662955B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2662955B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A winding assembly for an electric generator includes a stator core (16) having a cylindrical inner opening. Also it comprise a rotor core (12) coaxially rotatable within the stator core (16) and whereby the rotor core (12) is attached to an input shaft (14). Further it includes a rotor winding support structure or bobbin (22) placed onto the rotor core (12) which comprises a surface disposed at an angle relative to the input shaft (14) and extending radially outward from the input shaft (14) toward the stator core (16). Further included is a rotor winding bundle (24) disposed and supported by the outer surface of the rotor winding support structure (22).