Concentric Ring Generator for Aircraft Turbine Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft generators face challenges in meeting increasing power demands due to limited space and increased torque and stress on power take-off shafts, making it impractical to install larger generators, and they lack efficient voltage regulation and variable frequency output.
Innovation Solution
A concentric ring generator design that allows for internal or external mounting around the turbine engine, featuring radial positioning of stator coils relative to the rotor, enabling efficient voltage step-down, variable frequency output, and reduced copper usage, with a simpler mechanical connection and potential elimination of power take-off shafts through planetary gearing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a larger generator is installed to meet increased power demands, then power output is improved, but the aircraft cannot accommodate the physical size and the torque and stresses on the PTO shaft increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The generator is divided into multiple independent coil assemblies arranged in a concentric ring configuration around the rotor. Each coil assembly can be independently positioned and contributes to the overall power output, allowing the system to generate high power without requiring a single large generator that would overload the PTO shaft.
Solution Approach 2:
The generator transitions from a conventional linear arrangement to a concentric ring configuration where coils are distributed in a radial pattern around the rotor. This three-dimensional arrangement increases the effective surface area for coil placement and distributes mechanical loads more evenly, reducing peak torques on the PTO shaft while maintaining high power output capability.
2Power
If a larger generator is installed to meet increased power demands, then power output is improved, but the aircraft does not have enough open space to accommodate the physical size
Solution Approach 1:
The concentric ring generator is positioned around the turbine engine, with the stator coils arranged in a ring configuration that encircles the rotating rotor. This nested arrangement allows the generator components to occupy the radial space around the engine rather than requiring additional axial or lateral space, effectively utilizing the existing engine envelope to house a high-power generation system.
Solution Approach 2:
The generator utilizes the radial dimension around the turbine engine for coil placement, transforming the conventional planar layout into a three-dimensional concentric structure. This approach maximizes the use of available space by distributing coils around the rotor's circumference, increasing power output without proportionally increasing the generator's external dimensions.
3Ease of operation
If conventional generators are used, then mechanical connection is established, but PTO shafts or other transmissions are required which increase complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The generator's rotor is directly coupled to the turbine engine's rotating assembly, merging the engine's rotational output directly with the generator's magnetic field source. This direct-drive configuration eliminates the need for separate PTO shafts, gearboxes, or transmission systems, simplifying the mechanical connection while maintaining efficient power transfer from the engine to the generator.
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 concentric ring generator design provides a larger surface area for stator coils, allows for efficient power regulation, reduces copper requirements, and simplifies mechanical connections, addressing space constraints and power demands while maintaining mechanical integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a rotor and a stator. The rotor may include permanent magnets
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A concentric generator usable with a gas turbine engine 110 having a shaft 120. Disclosed embodiments include a generator 100 with at least one rotor 160 integral with the gas turbine shaft 120 and at least one stator 170 with at least one coil 190 mounted concentrically with respect to the at least one rotor 160. The at least one stator 170 may be mounted inside the turbine engine housing 116, or outside the turbine housing 116. In some embodiments, both the at least one rotor 160 and at least one stator 170 are mounted outside the turbine housing 116 and rotation of the turbine shaft 120 is translated to the at least one rotor 160 via a transmission.