Anti-Rotation Resistor Pack Assembly for Centrifugal Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing generator designs face challenges in effectively managing centrifugal forces on rotating rectifier assemblies and suppression resistors, which can lead to structural instability and increased risk of damage from charge buildup.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of an anti-rotation housing and cylindrical suppression resistor within the resistor pack assembly, which includes an anti-rotation housing, positive and negative rails, and an insulator ring, securely mounts components to prevent rotation and provides a ground fault path, enhancing structural support and preventing charge buildup.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If suppression resistors and rotating rectifier assembly are mounted on the rotating shaft, then voltage and current transients can be suppressed, but centrifugal forces cause structural instability and increased risk of damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against voltage and current transientsVSAvoidstructural stability under centrifugal forces
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The resistor pack is divided into multiple individual suppression resistors (first suppression resistor, second suppression resistor, third suppression resistor) that are separately mounted on the rotor shaft, allowing each component to be independently positioned and secured to handle centrifugal forces while maintaining the overall suppression function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The resistor pack assembly is pre-assembled with all suppression resistors, rails, and housing components configured before installation on the rotor shaft, ensuring proper alignment and structural integrity prior to exposure to centrifugal forces during rotation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If multiple components are used in the resistor pack assembly, then structural support and ground fault protection are provided, but the number of components increases complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveground fault protection and structural supportVSAvoidnumber of components in resistor pack assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple suppression resistors are electrically connected in parallel between the positive rail and negative rail, combining their protective functions while reducing the number of separate mounting structures needed, thus simplifying the overall assembly while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for the resistor pack, acts as an insulator between conductive components, and facilitates mounting to the rotor shaft, thereby reducing the need for separate dedicated components for each function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 configuration increases the maximum obtainable speed of the rotor shaft by providing structural support and preventing damage from charge buildup, while reducing the number of components and improving dielectric capability.

Implementation Method 1

the rotating rectifier assembly and the suppression resistors are mounted on the rotating shaft, and are therefore subject to the centrifugal forces associated with the rotating shaft

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 2

cylindrical suppression resistor... provides a ground fault path, enhancing structural support and preventing charge buildup

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP3879682B1Connection assembly cover with integrated Anti-rotation
Publication Date: 2023.12.27 HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORP
  • EP3879682B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3879682B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3879682B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A resistor pack assembly (20) including an anti-rotation housing (32). The anti-rotation housing includes a first surface (32a), a second surface (32b) opposite the first surface, one or more anti-rotation lugs (35) extending away from the first surface, and an internal cavity (32c) extending from the second surface into the anti-rotation housing towards the first surface. The resistor pack assembly also including a positive rail (34) located at least partially within the internal cavity, a negative rail (42) having an inner circular face (42a) and an outer circular face (42b) located radially outward from the inner circular face, and an insulator ring (40) is interposed between the second surface of the anti-rotation housing and the outer circular face of the negative rail.