Brush-Slip Ring Cooling and Abrasion Removal System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing abrasion removal systems for electromechanical machines are inadequate in efficiently removing carbon dust and maintaining optimal temperature control at the brush-slip ring contact region, leading to potential machine failures and increased maintenance costs.

Innovation Solution

A combined cooling and abrasion particles removal system that directs a gaseous medium flow towards the slip ring, creating a vortex to contain and remove abrasive particles, thereby preventing their spread and enhancing cooling efficiency, without the need for integrated fans, filters, or recirculated air flows.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If gaseous medium is directed across the face of multiple slip rings, then cooling is provided, but abrasive particles spread across slip rings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling effectVSAvoidabrasive particles spread
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by directing the gaseous medium flow specifically towards the face of the slip ring at a controlled angle, creating a localized cooling zone that prevents particle spread to other slip rings. The flow is targeted rather than diffuse, providing cooling where needed without the harmful side effect of contaminating adjacent components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Object-generated harmful factors

If suction devices and cleaning brushes are used, then abrasion removal is provided, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecarbon dust removalVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the harmful abrasive particles directly at their source by directing the gaseous medium flow towards the slip ring face, capturing particles before they can spread. This eliminates the need for separate suction devices and cleaning brushes, simplifying the overall system while maintaining effective particle removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The gaseous medium flow serves multiple functions simultaneously: it cools the slip ring, removes abrasive particles, and prevents particle spread. This multi-functionality replaces what would traditionally require separate dedicated systems for cooling and particle removal, reducing overall system complexity.

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

3Object-generated harmful factors

If conventional abrasion removal systems are used, then particle removal is provided, but cooling efficiency is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabrasion particles removalVSAvoidcontact region temperature control
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the cooling function and abrasion particle removal function into a single integrated system. The gaseous medium flow performs both functions simultaneously by being directed towards the slip ring face, eliminating the need for separate cooling and particle removal systems and improving overall efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

The system effectively captures abrasive particles, maintains optimal temperature for patina formation, reduces system size and costs, and improves the overall performance of electromechanical machines by maximizing fluid speed and heat transfer, thus prolonging the lifespan of brushes and slip rings.

Implementation Method 1

directs a gaseous medium flow towards the slip ring, creating a vortex to contain and remove abrasive particles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVortex: Vortex Ring

Implementation Method 2

creating a vortex to contain and remove abrasive particles, thereby preventing their spread

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 3

combined cooling and abrasion particles removal system that directs a gaseous medium flow towards the slip ring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 4

directs a gaseous medium flow towards the slip ring... maximizing fluid speed and heat transfer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced convection: Forced Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3300186B1Combined cooling and abrasion particles removal system and method therefor in an electromechanical machine installation
Publication Date: 2021.03.17 GE RENEWABLE TECH
  • EP3300186B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3300186B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3300186B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a combined cooling and abrasion particles removal system (1) and method for providing cooling and removing abrasion particles in a contact region (4) between a brush (2) and a slip ring (3) of an electromechanical machine, the system (1) comprising a passage for accommodating the brush (2) and having a front opening (15) adapted to face the slip ring (3), at least one supply tube (13a, 13b) with an outlet (16a, 16b) for blowing a gaseous medium (100) at least partially into a direction towards a free space (6) adjacent to the front opening (15), and at least one suction tube (14) with an inlet (17) opening for sucking off the gaseous medium and the abrasion particles from the free space (6). In order to pick up abrasion particles (104) and provide sufficient cooling, the free space (6) merges with a vortex chamber (21 a, 21 b) for generating a vortex (106) of the gaseous medium (100) carrying the abrasion particles (104) in operation of the system (1).