Annular Stator Array with Variable Reluctance Rotor for Gas Turbine Maintenance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in gas turbine engines is the difficulty in accessing and maintaining electrical machines due to their size and placement constraints, as well as the increasing demand for electrical power which complicates fitting them within available space.
Innovation Solution
An arrangement of electrical machines featuring a variable reluctance rotor and an annular array of stators, where each stator is independently replaceable, self-exciting, and can be unevenly spaced to accommodate existing components, allowing for flexible power output and redundancy, with the rotor being made of magnetically permeable material and easily accessible for maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If an electric generator is supplied in addition to the gas turbine engine and coupled to it, then electrical power can be generated for various uses, but it becomes difficult to access the electrical machine for maintenance or replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical machine is divided into separate modular components: a rotor assembly and multiple stator assemblies. Each stator can be independently removed and replaced without affecting the other stators or requiring removal of the entire generator assembly. This modular segmentation enables individual stator maintenance while the rotor remains in place.
Solution Approach 2:
The stator assemblies are positioned within the annular space surrounding the rotor, creating a nested configuration where stators are radially outward from the rotor. This nesting arrangement allows stators to be accessed from the outer periphery while the rotor remains centrally located and protected.
2Power
If the physical size of electrical machines increases to meet increasing electrical power requirements, then more power can be supplied, but the available space envelope becomes challenging to fit in
Solution Approach 1:
The generator design transitions from a conventional axial configuration to an annular configuration where multiple stators are arranged in a circular pattern around the rotor. This dimensional rearrangement allows the generator to utilize radial space more efficiently, fitting multiple stators within the available annular envelope without increasing the overall footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple independent electrical machine assemblies (each consisting of a rotor and stator) are merged into a single integrated generator unit sharing a common rotor. This combination allows the generator to deliver the cumulative power output of multiple machines while occupying the space of a single unit, as all stators operate simultaneously around the shared rotor.
3Reliability
If multiple electrical machines are used to provide redundancy and flexible power output, then reliability and adaptability improve, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The common rotor serves multiple functions: it acts as the rotating magnetic field source for all stator assemblies simultaneously, and it can be shared across different electrical machine configurations (generators, motors, or combinations). Each stator assembly is also universal, capable of functioning independently or in combination with others, providing flexible power output configurations without requiring additional specialized components.
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 arrangement provides high reliability, low losses, and flexible power generation, enabling efficient use of space while allowing for easy maintenance and increased power output, accommodating various loads and operating conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a variable reluctance rotor; and an annular array of stators; each stator configured to function, in conjunction with the rotor, as an electrical machine
Implementation Method 2
The rotor may comprise a magnetically permeable material. The magnetically permeable material may comprise a ferromagnetic material
Data Source
AI summary
An arrangement of electrical machines including: a variable reluctance rotor. The arrangement also including an annular array of stators; each stator configured to function, in conjunction with the rotor, as an electrical machine.